How to Say Hurt in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
As of 2026, understanding how to express the concept of "hurt" is crucial when learning Spanish. This article provides a detailed explanation on how to say "hurt" in Spanish, including its usage in different tenses and common idiomatic expressions.
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How to Express Hurt in Spanish
The noun "hurt" in Spanish can be expressed as dolor (IPA: /ˈdo.loɾ/) or daño (IPA: /ˈda.ɲo/). Both words capture the essence of physical or emotional pain, though they have distinct nuances and usage contexts.
Pronunciation Tips for Non-Native Speakers
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →To pronounce "dolor" correctly, emphasize the stress on the second syllable: do-LOR. For "daño," place the emphasis on the first syllable: DAN-yo.
Meaning and Usage of Dolor and Daño
In Spanish, "dolor" encompasses various types of pain, including physical, emotional, and psychological. It is used to describe discomfort, suffering, or anguish. On the other hand, "daño" refers specifically to damage, harm, or injury caused by an external factor. It often implies a consequence resulting from an action or an accident.
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How to Use 'Hurt' in Different Tenses
To express "hurt" in different tenses, you can use the verb doler (IPA: /doˈleɾ/). For example:
- Duele mucho mi cabeza. (My head hurts a lot) - Present tense
- Habrá dolor en el futuro. (There will be pain in the future) - Future tense
- Habría sentido mucho dolor si no hubiera tomado medicamento. (I would have felt a lot of pain if I hadn't taken medicine) - Conditional tense
Common Idiomatic Expressions Related to Hurt
In addition to the basic translations, here are some common idiomatic expressions related to "hurt" in Spanish:
- Hacer daño a alguien. (To hurt someone) - Used when referring to emotional or physical harm caused to another person.
- Tener un dolor de corazón. (To have heartache) - Refers specifically to emotional pain, often used in the context of romantic relationships.
- Hacerse daño a uno mismo. (To hurt oneself) - Used when someone causes harm or injury to themselves.
Regional Variations and Usage Contexts
While "dolor" is widely understood and used in most Spanish-speaking countries, "daño" can vary in usage across regions. In Latin America, "daño" is commonly used to refer to material damage or harm caused to objects, whereas in Spain, it is also used to express physical or emotional pain.
How to Say "Hurt" in Spanish: Sample Sentences
Here are five sample sentences you can use to say "hurt" in Spanish:
- Su comentario me causó mucho dolor.
(His comment caused me a lot of pain.)
- El accidente le causó mucho daño.
(The accident caused him a lot of harm.)
- Me hicieron mucho daño con sus mentiras.
(They hurt me a lot with their lies.)
- El dolor emocional puede ser muy intenso.
(Emotional hurt can be very intense.)
- Siempre me preocupo por no causar daño a los demás.
(I always worry about not causing harm to others.)
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