doloroso
/doloˈɾoso/
The Spanish word for painful is doloroso.
doloroso is an adjective used to describe something that causes pain.
Meaning: causing pain (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from dolor (pain) and the suffix -oso (full of/characterized by).
Which one should you use?
While doloroso is an adjective meaning 'painful', the verb duele (it hurts) is often more natural when describing the sensation of pain itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use dolorosa for feminine singular nouns, dolorosos for masculine plural nouns and dolorosas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/doloˈɾoso/
Did you know?
- In Spanish literature, doloroso is often used in religious contexts to describe the 'Sorrowful Mysteries' of the Rosary, known as Misterios Dolorosos.
- The root of doloroso, the Latin 'dolor', is a distant cousin to the English word 'dolorous', a literary term used to describe someone filled with grief or sorrow.
- Spanish has a distinct way of expressing 'painful' when referring to a 'sore' throat or muscle using adolorido, which implies a state of being aching rather than the quality of the pain itself.
Examples in context
- ¡Es tan doloroso! ¡Para!It's so painful. Stop it!This sentence uses doloroso to express an immediate sensation of pain.Tatoeba #2104104 by marcelostockle, translation #18395 by Zifre
- Fue lo más doloroso de mi vida.It was the most painful thing in my life.This sentence uses doloroso to describe a past experience.Tatoeba #1574830 by Shishir, translation #1571125 by Spamster
- Mas doloroso que cualquier cuña.More painful than any wedge.This sentence uses doloroso to make a comparison of pain levels.Tatoeba #5862164 by albrusgher, translation #738577 by DeSha
- El procedimiento médico fue doloroso.The medical procedure was painful.
- La lesión resultó ser dolorosa.The injury turned out to be painful.
- La muerte de su ser querido fue angustiosa.The death of their loved one was painful.
- La noticia fue profundamente angustiosa.The news was deeply painful.
- La situación económica es penosa.The economic situation is painful.
- Me resulta penoso verlo sufrir.It is distressing for me to see him suffer.
- Desperté con el cuello muy molesto.I woke up with a very painful neck.
- Después del partido, estoy muy dolido/a.After the game, I'm very sore/hurt.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is telling Elena about a recent injury.
- DanielMe golpeé el dedo y es muy doloroso.I hit my finger and it is very painful.
- ElenaLo siento, Daniel. ¿Necesitas hielo?I'm sorry, Daniel. Do you need ice?
- DanielSí, el roce con la ropa es doloroso.Yes, the rubbing against my clothes is painful.
- ElenaTraeré el hielo ahora mismo.I will bring the ice right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “painful” translations and entries doloroso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doloroso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
