What it means
思いをする describes undergoing a particular feeling or experience, especially one that is intense, painful, frightening, embarrassing, or otherwise memorable. The phrase usually follows a modifier that identifies the kind of experience, such as an i-adjective, a na-adjective with な, or a verb in the dictionary form. Although it can be translated as “to feel,” it emphasizes going through an experience rather than simply having an emotion.
Usage note
思いをする is not normally used as a completely general equivalent of “to feel.” It usually appears with a descriptive modifier, and the unmodified expression can sound incomplete unless the type of experience is clear from context. The polite counterpart is 思いをします.
How to use it
その発言を聞くと、参加者は嫌な思いをします。
When they hear that remark, the participants have an unpleasant experience.
長期の治療中、患者はつらい思いをします。
During the long-term treatment, the patient goes through a painful experience.
登山者は突然の吹雪で死ぬ思いをします。
The climber has a near-death experience because of a sudden blizzard.
その発言を聞くと、参加者は嫌な思いをする。
When they hear that remark, the participants have an unpleasant experience.
長期の治療中、患者はつらい思いをする。
During the long-term treatment, the patient goes through a painful experience.
登山者は突然の吹雪で死ぬ思いをする。
The climber has a near-death experience because of a sudden blizzard.