dolores
/doh-LOH-rehs/
pains
The word 'dolores' means 'pains' or 'aches,' referring to physical discomfort.
dolores(noun)
pains
?physical discomfort, aches
,sorrows
?deep sadness or grief (less common than 'pains')
aches
?minor physical discomfort
📝 In Action
El doctor le preguntó si tenía dolores en las articulaciones.
A2The doctor asked him if he had pains in his joints.
Después de correr la maratón, mis dolores musculares duraron tres días.
B1After running the marathon, my muscle aches lasted three days.
Los dolores de la guerra afectaron a toda la región.
C1The sorrows of the war affected the entire region.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural for Aches
When talking about specific, recurring physical discomfort (like headaches or stomach aches), you almost always use the plural form 'dolores,' even if you only have one headache.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Dolor vs. Dolores
Mistake: "Tengo un dolor de cabeza. (Using singular 'dolor' for headache)"
Correction: Tengo dolores de cabeza. (Using plural 'dolores' is the most natural way to express a headache in Spanish.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Pain
The most common structure is 'Tener dolores de...' (To have pains of...), for example: 'Tengo dolores de espalda' (I have back pains).
As a proper noun, 'Dolores' is a common Spanish female name.
📝 In Action
Mi tía se llama Dolores, pero todos la llaman Lola.
A2My aunt's name is Dolores, but everyone calls her Lola.
Dolores es un nombre tradicional en España y América Latina.
B1Dolores is a traditional name in Spain and Latin America.
💡 Grammar Points
Proper Noun Capitalization
When 'Dolores' is used as a person's name, it must always be capitalized, just like names in English.
⭐ Usage Tips
Nicknames (Diminutives)
If you meet someone named Dolores, you will frequently hear her referred to by the short forms 'Lola' or 'Loli'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dolores
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'dolores' as a proper name?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'dolores' (pains) masculine, even though it ends in 'es'?
The gender is determined by the singular form, 'el dolor' (the pain), which is masculine. When you make it plural, 'los dolores,' it remains masculine.
Is 'Lola' always short for 'Dolores'?
Yes, 'Lola' is the most common and traditional nickname for people named Dolores in Spanish-speaking cultures.