me duele el dedo índice
/me dwele el dedo indiθe/from spelling rules
To say 'my index finger hurts' in Spanish, use me duele el dedo índice.
This phrase is used to express physical pain specifically located in the finger next to the thumb. In many common contexts, you can shorten the phrase by omitting the word for finger and simply saying me duele el índice.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me duele el dedo índice is structured literally as 'to me it hurts the index finger'.
Which one should you use?
While me duele el dedo índice is the standard way to describe the sensation, you may use me duele el índice by omitting dedo (finger) to refer to the same body part. For a much stronger sense of pain, the informal expression El dedo índice me está matando can be used, which translates to 'it's killing me'.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, pointing with the dedo índice can be considered rude or aggressive depending on the context. People may use their whole hand or a subtle nod instead.
- The word índice is used not only for the finger but also for the 'table of contents' or 'index' of a book.
- The word dedo and the more technical word dígito both come from the same Latin root. However, dedo evolved naturally over centuries while dígito was borrowed back into the language later.
Examples in context
- Me dueleIt hurts
- Me duele muchísimo el dedo índice.My index finger hurts a lot.
- Me duele el dedo índice al moverlo.My index finger hurts when I move it.
- Necesito ver a un médico. Me duele mucho el dedo índice.I need to see a doctor. My index finger hurts a lot.
- ¿Podría recomendarme a un especialista? Tengo dolor persistente en el dedo índice.Could you recommend a specialist? I have persistent pain in my index finger.
- Me duele el dedo índice al escribir.My index finger hurts when I write.
- Me duele el dedo índice de la mano derecha.My right index finger hurts.
Example conversation
Mateo is showing a small injury to María at home.
- MateoMaría, me duele el dedo índice.María, my index finger hurts.
- María¿Te golpeaste con algo, Mateo?Did you hit it against something, Mateo?
- MateoSí, me golpeé con la puerta.Yes, I hit it against the door.
- MaríaPonte un poco de hielo.Put some ice on it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dedo, el, me, índice, CC BY-SA 4.0.
