Meaning and Usage
The adjective '고통스럽다' describes a state of experiencing physical or emotional pain or torment. It is often used to express deep suffering or distress.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '고통스럽다' in contexts involving illness, injury, emotional hardship, or difficult life situations. It conveys a strong sense of discomfort or agony.
Collocations and Patterns
- 고통스러운 기억 (painful memory): Refers to memories that cause emotional pain.
- 고통스러운 상황 (painful situation): Describes a difficult or distressing circumstance.
- 고통스럽게 참다 (endure painfully): Expresses enduring something with great pain.
Register and Politeness
'고통스럽다' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It is appropriate in formal and informal contexts depending on sentence endings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '고통스럽다' with '아프다' (to be sick or hurt). While '아프다' often refers to physical pain, '고통스럽다' can describe both physical and emotional pain and usually implies a more intense or prolonged suffering.