Welcome! In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways to express the word “hurt” in Spanish. Whether you’re learning the language for business, pleasure, or personal growth, understanding different ways of conveying this concept will enhance your overall communication skills. We’ll cover formal and informal expressions while focusing on universal terminology rather than regional variations. Let’s get started!
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Formal Ways to Say “Hurt” in Spanish
When you need to convey the concept of “hurt” in a formal or polite setting, you can use the following expressions:
1. Doler
The most common verb used to express physical pain or hurt in Spanish is “doler.” This verb is usually used with the indirect object pronoun “me,” which corresponds to “to me” in English. For example:
Me duele la cabeza.
(My head hurts.)
The verb “doler” is conjugated according to the body part that hurts. Here are a few more examples:
- Me duele la espalda. (My back hurts.)
- Me duelen los pies. (My feet hurt.)
- Me duele el estómago. (My stomach hurts.)
2. Lastimar
Another formal way to express physical hurt is by using the verb “lastimar.” This verb translates to “to hurt” or “to injure.” Consider these examples:
- Me lastimé el brazo. (I hurt my arm.)
- La caída lastimó su rodilla. (The fall hurt his/her knee.)
3. Sufrir
When talking about emotional or psychological hurt, the verb “sufrir” is appropriate in formal contexts. Take a look at these examples:
- Sufre por la pérdida de su ser querido. (He/she suffers from the loss of a loved one.)
- Los niños sufren mucho durante el divorcio de sus padres. (Children suffer a lot during their parents’ divorce.)
4. Causar Dolor
If you wish to express that something or someone is causing hurt or pain to others, you can use the phrase “causar dolor.” Here are a couple of examples:
- Sus palabras causaron dolor en mi corazón. (His/her words caused pain in my heart.)
- El accidente causó mucho dolor a las víctimas. (The accident caused a lot of pain to the victims.)
Informal Ways to Say “Hurt” in Spanish
In less formal or casual situations, you may want to use less complex expressions to describe physical or emotional hurt. Here are some informal alternatives:
1. Dolerle a alguien
The informal equivalent of “me duele” is “me duele a mí” or “me duele a alguien” when referring to someone else. For example:
- Me duele a mí la cabeza. (My head hurts.)
- Le duele a mi hermano la espalda. (My brother’s back hurts.)
2. Hacer daño
An informal way to describe physical hurt is to use the phrase “hacer daño.” This expression can be used for both physical and emotional pain. Consider the following examples:
- Me hice daño en la rodilla cuando caí. (I hurt my knee when I fell.)
- Las palabras de Juan le hacen daño a María. (Juan’s words hurt María.)
Wrap-Up
Congratulations! Now you are equipped with a variety of expressions to convey the meaning of “hurt” in different contexts. Remember to adapt your language choices based on the formality of the situation and the relationship with the person you are speaking to. Practice using these expressions regularly to enhance your Spanish skills and build rapport with Spanish speakers. Keep up the great work!
