бо́лка
bólkafeminine
The English word 'pain' is translated into Bulgarian as бо́лка (bólka).
The noun бо́лка refers specifically to an ache or bodily suffering. If you want to describe the sensation of being in pain or the act of hurting, you would use the related verb боля. To describe the act of inflicting suffering as a penalty, the verb измъчвам is used.
Meaning: ache or bodily suffering (noun)
Which one should you use?
While бо́лка is the noun used to name a pain, the verb боля is used to express the sensation of 'to hurt' or 'to be in pain'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
бо́лка is a feminine noun. Therefore, any adjectives used to describe it must also be in the feminine form. The plural form of this noun is болки.
How do you pronounce it?
bólka
Did you know?
- When describing a sharp, sudden pain, Bulgarians often use the word прострел, which is the same word used for a 'gunshot'.
- In Bulgarian, the verb боля is used intransitively, meaning the body part is the subject. Instead of saying 'I have a headache', a Bulgarian speaker says Главата ме боли, which literally translates to 'The head hurts me'.
- If you want to say someone is 'hurting's feelings', you do not use бо́лка, but rather the verb наранявам (to wound/injure), which is typically reserved for physical injuries.
Examples in context
- Трябва да посетите лекар, ако имате болки в гърба.You should visit a doctor if you have back pain.
- Лекцията говори за душевното страдание в трудни времена.The lecture discusses the emotional pain in difficult times.
- Раздялата с най-добрия ми приятел ми причини много мъка.The separation from my best friend caused me a lot of pain.
Example conversation
Georgi tells Maria that he is not feeling well.
- Георги GeorgiМария, имам странна бо́лка тук.Mariya, imam stranna bolka tuk.Maria, I have a strange pain here.
- Мария MariyaКъде точно те боли, Георги?Kade tochno te boli, Georgi?Where exactly does it hurt, Georgi?
- Георги GeorgiВ коляното, но бо́лката е слаба.V kolyanoto, no bolkata e slaba.In the knee, but the pain is mild.
- Мария MariyaТрябва да отидеш на лекар.Tryabva da otidesh na lekar.You should go to a doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pain” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
