painful
word · lemma: pain
/ˈpeɪnfəɫ/
PAYN-fuhl
/pˈeɪnfəl/
PAYN-fuhl
Definition
Causing physical pain, or causing strong emotional suffering or discomfort. It can describe an injury, an experience, a memory, or even an awkward situation.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for both body and feelings: 'a painful cut', 'a painful divorce'. Common patterns: 'painful to watch', 'painful memory', 'painfully honest'. It is stronger and more personal than 'uncomfortable'.
Spanish: doloroso - doloridaPortuguese (BR): dolorosoPortuguese (PT): dolorosoChinese (Simplified): 疼痛的 - 痛苦的Chinese (Traditional): 疼痛的 - 痛苦的Hindi: दर्दनाक - पीड़ादायकArabic: مؤلم - موجعBengali: বেদনাদায়ক - যন্ত্রণাদায়কRussian: болезненный - мучительныйJapanese: 痛い - 苦しいVietnamese: đau đớn - đau lòngKorean: 고통스러운 - 아픈Turkish: ağrılı - acı vericiUrdu: تکلیف دہ - دردناکIndonesian: menyakitkan - menyedihkan
Example Sentences
This cut on my hand is very painful.
basic
It was painful to hear the bad news.
basic
The dentist said it might be a little painful.
basic
Watching him apologize was almost painful.
natural
That's a painful reminder of how things ended.
natural
Her speech was painful to sit through, but no one wanted to leave early.
natural