Spanish · Body & Health
"to hurt" in Spanish: doler
doler
Note: "it hurts": duele
To hurt in Spanish is doler. The form you hear most is duele: Me duele la cabeza. Use duelen with plural body parts.
After the gym
Me duele la rodilla al bajar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce doler
Say it
doh-LEHR / DWEH-leh / DWEH-lehn
/do.ˈleɾ/
doh-LEHR. Duele is DWEH-leh. Duelen is DWEH-lehn.
"to hurt" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| doler | to hurt Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| duele | it hurts Singular subject. | Singular subject. |
| duelen | they hurt Plural subjects. | Plural subjects. |
| me duele | it hurts me / I have pain Everyday pain pattern. | Everyday pain pattern. |
| me duele aquí | it hurts here Pointing at a spot. | Pointing at a spot. |
How to use doler in real life
- 1After the gym
Me duele la rodilla al bajar.
My knee hurts when I go down.
Duele with singular rodilla.
- 2Pharmacy chat
Me duele la garganta desde ayer.
My throat has hurt since yesterday.
Me duele + body part.
- 3Long walk
Me duelen los pies mucho.
My feet hurt a lot.
Duelen with plural pies.
Mistakes English speakers make with doler
Incorrect: Yo duele la pierna.
Correct: Me duele la pierna.
The body part is the subject: me duele…
Incorrect: Me duele los pies.
Correct: Me duelen los pies.
Plural body parts need duelen, not duele.
Good to know
Good to knowSpanish pain talk leads with duele or duelen plus the body part. Pointing and Me duele aquí works in clinics.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a long hike
ChatPal
¿Te duele el pie?
Does your foot hurt?
You
Sí, me duele el talón un poco.
Yes, my heel hurts a little.
ChatPal
¿Quieres sentarte y beber agua?
Want to sit and drink water?
You
Sí. Gracias.
Yes. Thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to hurt" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to hurt" in Spanish
How do I say it hurts?
Duele. Or Me duele…
When do I use duelen?
With plural parts: Me duelen los pies.
My head hurts?
Me duele la cabeza.
Is the register formal?
Duele/duelen fit friends and clinics alike.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
- 33 in Spanish: How to Say It and Use It NaturallyLearn how to say 33 in Spanish with clear pronunciation, ordinal forms, regional variations, and real example sentences for confident everyday speaking.
