to suffer
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to suffer
To have to go through or experience something negative, painful, or unpleasant, often passively and involuntarily. This frequently refers to losses, injuries, illnesses, or defeats.
Bei dem Unfall erlitt der Fahrer schwere Verletzungen.
The driver suffered serious injuries in the accident.
'Erleiden' is an inseparable verb. It consists of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'leiden' (to suffer). The prefix 'er-' here often emphasizes reaching a final, negative state or the result of a process.
Das Unternehmen musste im letzten Quartal hohe Verluste erleiden.
The company had to suffer heavy losses in the last quarter.
The verb 'erleiden' belongs to a rather formal and written style. It is often found in news reports, official reports, or literature.
In den Nachrichten wurde berichtet, dass die Küstenregion großen Schaden erlitten hat.
The news reported that the coastal region had suffered major damage.
'Erleiden' always needs an accusative object that describes what is suffered. The verb cannot stand without such an object.
Er musste wegen des Feuers einen schweren Schock erleiden.
He had to suffer a severe shock because of the fire.
This verb is used exclusively with negative events or states. Typical collocations are 'eine Niederlage erleiden' (to suffer a defeat), 'einen Verlust erleiden' (to suffer a loss), 'einen Schaden erleiden' (to suffer damage), or 'Verletzungen erleiden' (to suffer injuries).
Die Fußballmannschaft erlitt eine unerwartete Niederlage im Finale.
The football team suffered an unexpected defeat in the final.
to learn / experience
'erfahren' and 'erleiden' can both mean that someone experiences or goes through something. However, 'erfahren' is more general and can also refer to neutral or positive experiences. 'erleiden' is used almost only for something negative, for example an injury, a loss, an illness, or a defeat. It also sounds stronger and often somewhat more formal. The words can be confused because you can also 'erfahren' negative things. If you want to clearly say that someone involuntarily goes through something bad, 'erleiden' is more precise.
Der Fahrer hat bei dem Unfall eine schwere Verletzung erlitten.
The driver suffered a serious injury in the accident.
Nach der Kündigung hat der Verkäufer viel Unterstützung von seiner Familie erfahren.
After being dismissed, the salesperson received a lot of support from his family.