doler
/doˈleɾ/
The Spanish phrase for 'to hurt' is doler.
doler is used when a person experiences physical pain or an ache in a part of their body.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, particularly in Latin America, the informal verb picar is used to describe the sensation of pain specifically related to insect bites or stings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb doler functions similarly to the verb gustar. To say 'my [body part] hurts', you use the indirect object pronoun followed by the conjugated form of doler. If the body part causing the pain is plural, you must use the third-person plural form duelen instead of the singular duele.
How do you pronounce it?
/doˈleɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say Yo duelo to mean 'I am in pain'. Instead, you should use an indirect object pronoun with a third-person form of the verb, such as me duele.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word doler shares an ancient root with the English word 'condolence', which literally means 'to suffer with' someone.
- To express extreme emotional grief or deep sorrow, Spanish speakers use the phrase me duele el alma, which means 'my soul hurts'.
Examples in context
- Esto va a doler un poco.This is going to hurt a little.Tatoeba #10870817 by Shishir, translation #6685024 by Hybrid
- Esto te va a doler un poco.This is going to hurt a bit.Tatoeba #4167272 by Shishir, translation #4016932 by CK
- "Doctor, creía que usted había dicho que no me iba a doler." "Lo dije, y no lo hará.""Doctor, I thought you said this wasn't going to hurt." "I did, and it won't."Tatoeba #673064 by Shishir, translation #605140 by darinmex
- María se lastimó la rodilla mientras corría.María hurt her knee while running.
- Me duele la cabeza.My head hurts.
- La cirugía le causó dolor.The surgery caused him/her pain.
- Esa caída me hizo mucho daño.That fall hurt me a lot.
- Le duele el estómago.His/her stomach hurts.
- Me lastimé el tobillo.I hurt my ankle.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about a sports injury.
- Alejandro¿Te sigue a doler la pierna, María?Does your leg still hurt, María?
- MaríaSí, me empieza a doler cuando camino.Yes, it starts to hurt when I walk.
- AlejandroDeberías ir al médico hoy mismo.You should go to the doctor today.
- MaríaTienes razón, ya voy a llamar.You're right, I'm going to call now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry doler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
