doler Negative Imperative Conjugation
doler — to hurt
The negative imperative (no duela) uses the present subjunctive forms.
doler Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Used to tell someone/something 'don't hurt,' often used figuratively or in prayers/wishes.
Notes on doler in the Negative Imperative
Uses the present subjunctive forms: no duela, no duelan.
Example Sentences
No me duelan, pies, que falta mucho camino.
Don't hurt me, feet, for there is a long way to go.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: No me duele.
Correct: No me duela.
Why: The negative imperative must use the subjunctive form, not the indicative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: duelo
Doler is a stem-changing verb (o > ue) used like 'gustar', meaning it usually appears in the third person: duele or duelen.
Preterite
yo: dolí
The preterite of doler is regular (dolió, dolieron) and describes a specific instance or onset of pain.
Imperfect
yo: dolía
The imperfect dolía/dolían is used for ongoing, habitual, or background pain in the past.
Future
yo: doleré
The future tense is regular: dolerá, dolerán.
Conditional
yo: dolería
The conditional (dolería, dolerían) describes what 'would' hurt under certain conditions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: duela
The present subjunctive uses the 'ue' stem change: duela, duelan.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: doliera
The imperfect subjunctive (doliera) is used for hypothetical or past subjective situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: duele
The imperative of doler is rare but used metaphorically to command something to 'be painful'.