'sufrimiento' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'sufferre', where the prefix 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'ferre' meant 'to bear or carry'.

'sufrimiento' changed from a Vulgar Latin/late Latin formation *'sufferimentum' (derived from 'sufferre') into Old Spanish forms and eventually became the modern Spanish noun 'sufrimiento'.

Initially it conveyed the idea 'to bear or endure (something under you)', and over time it came to mean the state of experiencing pain, hardship, or distress as expressed in modern usage.