Marvo Dict en → es · Español

painful

S2 W1

BrE /ˈpeɪnfl/ AmE /ˈpeɪnfl/

adjective en → es

1 PHYSICAL PAIN [attributive], [predicative] A2

causing physical pain or suffering

doloroso, dolorante

  • a painful experience
  • be in pain

Collocations painful injury · painful toothache

  • She had a painful operation.

    Ella tuvo una operación dolorosa.

2 EMOTIONAL PAIN [attributive], [predicative] B1

causing emotional pain or distress

duro, triste, doloroso (emocional)

  • a painful decision
  • be emotionally hurt

Collocations painful breakup · painful loss

  • It was a painful experience to lose her job.

    Fue una experiencia dolorosa perder su trabajo.

3 DISAPPOINTMENT [attributive], [predicative] B1

causing disappointment or regret

desagradable, decepcionante

  • a painful disappointment
  • be disappointed

Collocations painful failure · painful setback

  • The team's defeat was a painful disappointment for the fans.

    La derrota del equipo fue una decepción dolorosa para los fanáticos.

4 NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE [attributive], [predicative] B1

unpleasant or difficult to deal with

difícil, desagradable

  • a painful situation
  • be in a difficult position

Collocations painful experience · painful process

  • The negotiations were a painful process.

    Las negociaciones fueron un proceso difícil.

5 ECONOMIC [attributive], [predicative] B2

relating to financial loss or hardship

económico, financiero (dificultad)

  • a painful economic situation
  • be in a difficult financial position

Collocations painful recession · painful cuts

  • The country is facing a painful economic crisis.

    El país está enfrentando una crisis económica difícil.

6 HISTORICAL [attributive], [predicative] C1

relating to a past event that caused suffering or distress

histórico (doloroso)

  • a painful historical event
  • be remembered for something

Collocations painful history · painful memory

  • The war was a painful chapter in the country's history.

    La guerra fue un capítulo doloroso en la historia del país.

7 MISCELLANEOUS [attributive], [predicative] C1

relating to other types of pain or difficulty that are not physical or emotional

doloroso, difícil (en otros contextos)

  • a painful experience
  • be in a difficult situation

Collocations painful task · painful decision

  • The exam was a painful ordeal for the students.

    El examen fue una prueba difícil para los estudiantes.

8 SOCIAL [attributive], [predicative] C1

relating to social issues or problems that cause distress or difficulty

social (dificultad)

  • a painful social issue
  • be a problem for society

Collocations painful inequality · painful discrimination

  • The lack of access to education is a painful social issue.

    La falta de acceso a la educación es un problema social difícil.