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dolor

doh-LORdoˈloɾ

“dolor” means “pain” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

pain

Also: ache
NounmA1
A small, simple cartoon character, perhaps a child, clutching their forehead with both hands and frowning, illustrating a sharp headache or physical pain.

📝 In Action

Tengo un dolor de cabeza terrible.

A1

I have a terrible headache.

Siento un dolor agudo en la espalda.

A2

I feel a sharp pain in my back.

El medicamento alivió el dolor muscular.

B1

The medicine relieved the muscle pain.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • molestia (discomfort)
  • padecimiento (ailment)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dolor de cabeza – headache
  • dolor de espalda – backache
  • dolor de muelas – toothache
  • dolor agudo – sharp pain
  • dolor crónico – chronic pain

grief

Also: sorrow, heartache
NounmB1
A solitary figure sitting quietly on a bench with a slumped posture and a tear trace visible on their cheek, conveying deep sorrow or grief.

📝 In Action

La pérdida de su abuela le causó un gran dolor.

B1

The loss of his grandmother caused him great grief.

Es una historia llena de dolor y sufrimiento.

B2

It's a story full of pain and suffering.

Compartimos tu dolor en este momento difícil.

B2

We share your sorrow in this difficult time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • causar dolor – to cause pain/grief
  • sentir dolor – to feel sorrow
  • con profundo dolor – with deep sorrow

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un dolor de cabeza – To be a real nuisance or a difficult problem.

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "dolor" in Spanish:

ache→grief→heartache→pain→sorrow→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: dolor

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'dolor' to talk about emotional sadness, not physical pain?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
doler(to hurt, to ache) — Verb
doloroso(painful) — Adjective
adolorido(sore, aching) — Adjective
indoloro(painless) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'dolor', which meant the same things: physical pain and mental grief. It's a word that has kept its meaning for thousands of years.

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: douleurItalian: dolorePortuguese: dorEnglish: dolorous (less common)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'dolor' and 'pena'?

Both can mean sorrow or grief, but they have different flavors. 'Dolor' is a deeper, more intense pain or grief, like from a major loss. 'Pena' can also mean sorrow, but it's often a bit lighter and can also mean 'pity' or 'shame' (like in '¡Qué pena!' - 'What a shame!'). For physical pain, you always use 'dolor'.

Is 'dolor' always masculine?

Yes, it's always 'el dolor'. Even though it ends in '-or' like some feminine words (e.g., 'la flor'), 'dolor' is a masculine noun. So you would say 'el dolor es fuerte' (the pain is strong).