to go through
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to go through
To experience and live through an intense, often difficult or emotional phase or event from beginning to end.
In ihrer Jugend musste sie eine schwere Krankheit durchleben.
In her youth, she had to go through a serious illness.
'Durchleben' (to go through) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'durch-' stays firmly attached to the verb 'leben' (to live) in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Er hat eine schwere Zeit durchlebt.
He went through a difficult time.
The word is made up of the prefix 'durch-' and the verb 'leben' (to live). Figuratively, it describes completely 'living through' an experience or period of time from beginning to end.
Die Familie musste eine Phase großer Unsicherheit durchleben.
The family had to go through a period of great uncertainty.
This verb is almost always combined with abstract nouns that describe an intense or difficult experience. Typical examples are: 'eine Krise durchleben' (to go through a crisis), 'schwere Zeiten durchleben' (to go through difficult times), 'einen Wandel durchleben' (to undergo a change), or 'einen Albtraum durchleben' (to live through a nightmare).
Nach dem Tod ihres Mannes hat sie eine tiefe Krise durchlebt.
After her husband's death, she went through a deep crisis.
'Durchleben' (to go through) is a transitive verb and always requires an accusative object. So you always have to say what someone goes through.
Während des Krieges haben die Menschen unvorstellbares Leid durchlebt.
During the war, people went through unimaginable suffering.
to live
'leben' and 'durchleben' can both describe someone having a certain time or situation in life. 'leben' is more neutral and can describe a way of life or a phase in general. 'durchleben' is stronger: it fits intense, often difficult or emotional phases that someone experiences from beginning to end. The words can be confused because both point to experiences in life. For normal everyday situations, you are more likely to say 'leben'; for crises, grief, or major changes, 'durchleben' fits better.
Nach dem Verlust ihres Jobs durchlebt Maria eine schwere Zeit.
After losing her job, Maria is going through a difficult time.
Während des Studiums lebt Paul sehr einfach.
During his studies, Paul lives very simply.