ordeal / torture
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ordeal
A very painful, agonizing, or long and exhausting experience that someone has to go through. It can refer to physical or emotional suffering.
Die stundenlange Befragung war eine einzige Tortur für den Zeugen.
The hours-long questioning was a complete ordeal for the witness.
torture
Historically refers to torture, meaning the use of violence and pain to force confessions or punish someone.
Im Mittelalter war die Tortur ein gängiges Mittel der Rechtsprechung, um die Wahrheit herauszufinden.
In the Middle Ages, torture was a common tool of the justice system for finding out the truth.
The historical meaning 'Folter' (torture) is usually clear from context, for example when talking about the Middle Ages or certain court proceedings. In everyday language, 'Tortur' (ordeal) almost always means a long, exhausting experience.
Die Fahrt im überfüllten Zug zur Arbeit ist jeden Morgen eine Tortur.
The commute to work on the overcrowded train is an ordeal every morning.
Although the word looks like the English 'torture', 'die Tortur' in German often has a weaker, figurative meaning. A long wait or a difficult exam can be a 'Tortur' (ordeal) without any physical violence being involved.
Die zweistündige Wartezeit beim Arzt war eine echte Tortur.
The two-hour wait at the doctor's office was a real ordeal.
For the figurative meaning, 'Tortur' (ordeal) is often combined with verbs like 'durchmachen' (to go through), 'erleiden' (to suffer), or 'hinter sich haben' (to have behind oneself / to be done with). This describes having gotten through a very unpleasant phase.
Nachdem er die schwere Prüfung endlich bestanden hatte, hatte er die Tortur hinter sich.
After he had finally passed the difficult exam, the ordeal was behind him.
torture
Both words can be used figuratively to describe a very painful or exhausting experience. Folter sounds stronger and more dramatic, while Tortur is especially suitable for a long, tormenting strain. Folter is more appropriate for a short, intense, or particularly drastic experience; for a prolonged effort, Tortur is often more natural.
Die dreistündige Prüfung war für mich eine echte Tortur.
The three-hour exam was a real ordeal for me.
Die dreistündige Prüfung war für mich eine echte Folter.
The three-hour exam was real torture for me.
