How to Say "It Hurts" in German

es tut weh

The German phrase for "it hurts" is es tut weh.

es tut weh is used to express that you are experiencing either physical or emotional pain.

Which one should you use?

While es tut weh is used for general pain, es schmerzt is a more formal or intense way to express physical or emotional suffering.

For example, you would say Es tut mir weh to mean "It hurts me".

The word weh in es tut weh shares the same ancient roots as the English word 'woe'. While 'woe' is now an archaic or poetic term, it is the direct linguistic cousin to the German word for pain.
In German, weh tun is a separable verb, meaning the weh part often jumps to the very end of a long sentence.
The word weh is used in the expression weh-weh, which can be used colloquially to suggest someone is complaining too much about their pain.

Es tut weh, Sie so zu sehen.
It hurts to see you like this.
This sentence shows how to express the pain of seeing someone in a certain state using es tut weh.
Tatoeba #10009588 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10009560 by DJ_Saidez
Es tut weh, wenn ich es berühre.
It hurts when I touch it.
This sentence demonstrates using es tut weh to describe pain caused by touching something.
Tatoeba #10701670 by mks, translation #10696123 by tokzyk
Es tut weh, jemanden zu verlieren.
It hurts to lose someone.
This sentence uses es tut weh to describe the emotional pain of loss.
Tatoeba #12565259 by Waldelfe, translation #12108732 by CK
Es tut weh, wenn ich meinen Arm bewege.
It hurts when I move my arm.
Ich habe Schmerzen in meinem Rücken.
I have pain in my back.
Die Verletzung bereitet mir starke Schmerzen.
The injury is causing me severe pain.
Das tut weh, wenn ich darauf drücke.
It hurts when I press on it.
Das schmerzt echt!
That really hurts!
Ich hab' Aua am Knie.
I have an ouchie on my knee.
Komm her, Mama, ich hab' Aua.
Come here, Mom, I have an ouchie.
Das macht weh, wenn ich mein Bein belaste.
It hurts when I put weight on my leg.
Es schmerzt mich, dass du so traurig bist.
It pains me to see you so sad.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Felix and Laura are at a doctor's office.

Sources

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