How to say "suffering" in Japanese

• 被災ひさいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbSuffering from a disaster: being hit by an earthquake, typhoon, or similar event, or falling victim to one. Use it for the suffering of disaster victims, not for general hardship.
• 苦難くなんCommon
  nounSuffering as hardship and trials: the adversity someone endures, as in the hardships of life. It points to trials borne over time rather than a sharp pain or inner anguish.
  彼かれ等らは多おおくの苦難くなんをたえしのんだ。↗

  They endured many difficulties.
• 苦痛くつうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounSuffering felt as pain or agony, physical or mental — the suffering of someone in pain, as from illness or injury. It names the agony itself rather than hardship endured.
  苦痛くつうで彼かれの顔かおが歪ゆがんでいる。↗

  His face is distorted by pain.
• 苦悩くのうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbMental suffering: anguish and inner torment, as when someone agonizes over a decision or is tormented by doubt or guilt. Unlike 苦痛, it is purely of the mind.
  その知しらせは多おおくの人々ひとびとを苦悩くのうにおとしいれた。↗

  Many people were plunged into distress by the news.
• 難渋なんじゅうCommon
  na-adjective, noun, suru verb, intransitive verbSeldom the word you want for 'suffering': it really describes difficulty — a matter that hits snags and proceeds only with trouble — rather than suffering itself.

Pick 被災 for disaster victims, 苦痛 for pain and agony, 苦悩 for mental anguish, 苦難 for hardship and trials, and leave 難渋 aside, as it really denotes difficulty rather than suffering.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 被災ひさいsuffering (from a disaster)
• 苦難くなんsuffering
• 苦痛くつうpain
• 苦悩くのう(mental) agony
• 難渋なんじゅうsuffering
• 苦しみくるしみpain
• 苦くpain
• 罹災りさいsuffering (from a calamity)
• 病難びょうなんsuffering (from illness)
• 被虐ひぎゃくsuffering (as a result of maltreatment)
• 艱苦かんくhardship
• 疾苦しっくaffliction
• 苦患くげんhellish pain
• 苦しさくるしさpain
• 難儀なんぎsuffering
• あっぷあっぷsuffering