schmerzlich
painful
Causing mental or emotional pain; connected with grief or regret.
EXAMPLE
Der Tod seiner Großmutter war ein schmerzlicher Verlust für die ganze Familie.
The death of his grandmother was a painful loss for the whole family.
schmerzlich
painful
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Meanings
schmerzlich vermissen
to painfully miss
To miss someone or something very strongly and with emotional suffering.
EXAMPLE
Seit sie weggezogen ist, vermisse ich sie schmerzlich.
Since she moved away, I have painfully missed her.
schmerzlich
painful
Causing physical pain or connected with it.
EXAMPLE
Er spürte ein schmerzliches Ziehen im Rücken.
He felt a painful pulling sensation in his back.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'schmerzlich' (painful) is derived directly from the noun 'der Schmerz' (pain). The ending '-lich' turns the noun into an adjective that describes something that causes pain or feels like pain.
EXAMPLE
Die Erinnerung an diesen Tag ist für mich immer noch schmerzlich.
The memory of that day is still painful for me.
Use as an adverb
'Schmerzlich' (painfully) is very often used as an adverb to intensify a verb, especially with emotional actions such as 'vermissen' (to miss), 'bereuen' (to regret), or 'erkennen' (to realize).
EXAMPLE
Wir mussten schmerzlich erkennen, dass wir einen Fehler gemacht hatten.
We had to painfully realize that we had made a mistake.
Fixed collocation
A very common and fixed collocation is 'jemanden/etwas schmerzlich vermissen' (to painfully miss someone/something). This is a strong expression for deeply felt missing.
EXAMPLE
Seit er im Ausland studiert, vermissen ihn seine Eltern schmerzlich.
Since he has been studying abroad, his parents have painfully missed him.
Typical collocations
In its emotional meaning, 'schmerzlich' (painful) is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical examples are 'ein schmerzlicher Verlust' (a painful loss), 'eine schmerzliche Niederlage' (a painful defeat), or 'eine schmerzliche Erfahrung' (a painful experience).
EXAMPLE
Für den Verein war der Abstieg eine schmerzliche Erfahrung.
For the club, relegation was a painful experience.
Context clue
The meaning 'physical pain' is less common. You can recognize it because it refers directly to a bodily sensation or a body part.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz hatte er ein schmerzliches Gefühl im Knie.
After the fall, he had a painful feeling in his knee.
Compare with
schmerzlich vs bitter
bitter
Bitter and schmerzlich can both describe a distressing realization or experience. Bitter particularly emphasizes the harsh disappointment or resentment involved. Schmerzlich focuses more on the emotional pain or regret felt.
schmerzlich
Dass sie ihre beste Freundin verletzt hatte, war eine schmerzliche Erkenntnis.
The realization that she had hurt her best friend was painful.
bitter
Dass ihre jahrelange Arbeit umsonst war, war eine bittere Erkenntnis.
The realization that her years of work had been in vain was bitter.
In real life
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