Inklingo
← Dictionary

doloroso

/doh-loh-ROH-soh/

painful

A small child sitting down and holding their knee, which has a small scrape and is causing them discomfort.

Something that causes physical pain is described as 'doloroso'.

doloroso(Adjective)

mA2

painful

?

causing physical pain

,

sore

?

as in a wound or bruise

Also:

aching

?

describing a persistent pain

📝 In Action

La herida en mi rodilla es muy dolorosa.

A2

The wound on my knee is very painful.

Necesitas una operación, pero no será dolorosa.

B1

You need an operation, but it won't be painful.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • penoso (distressing)
  • molesto (annoying/uncomfortable)

Antonyms

  • indoloro (painless)
  • cómodo (comfortable)

Common Collocations

  • una inyección dolorosa – a painful injection
  • un golpe doloroso – a painful blow

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'doloroso' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: use -a for feminine words (una operación dolorosa) and -os/-as for plural words (los recuerdos dolorosos).

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Source of Pain

Use 'doloroso' to describe the thing causing the pain (the injection, the injury), not the person feeling the pain (for people, use 'adolorido').

A solitary figure sitting on a simple wooden bench, visibly sad and wiping a tear from their face.

Causing great sadness or sorrow is also described as 'doloroso'.

doloroso(Adjective)

mB1

heartbreaking

?

causing great sadness

,

distressing

?

upsetting or difficult

Also:

sorrowful

?

full of grief

📝 In Action

La pérdida de su mascota fue muy dolorosa para ella.

B1

The loss of her pet was very painful/heartbreaking for her.

Tomaron la dolorosa decisión de cerrar el negocio.

B2

They made the painful decision to close the business.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • triste (sad)
  • lamentable (regrettable)

Antonyms

  • alegre (joyful)
  • grato (pleasant)

Common Collocations

  • un recuerdo doloroso – a painful memory
  • una verdad dolorosa – a painful truth

💡 Grammar Points

Placement for Emphasis

When used figuratively (emotional pain), 'doloroso' is often placed before the noun (la dolorosa verdad) to add dramatic emphasis, though placing it after is also correct.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Painful vs. Suffering

Mistake: "Soy doloroso."

Correction: This is incorrect. You would say 'Siento dolor' (I feel pain) or 'Estoy adolorido' (I am sore). 'Doloroso' describes the *source* of the pain.

⭐ Usage Tips

Common Abstract Nouns

Look for abstract nouns like pérdida (loss), despedida (farewell), separación (separation), or recuerdo (memory) when 'doloroso' is used in this emotional sense.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: doloroso

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'doloroso' to describe emotional pain, not physical pain?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

dolor(pain, ache, grief) - noun
doler(to hurt, to ache (like 'gustar')) - verb
adolorido(sore, aching (describes a person)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'doloroso' and 'doler'?

'Doler' is the verb meaning 'to hurt' or 'to ache,' and it works backward, like the verb 'gustar' (Me duele la cabeza = My head hurts me). 'Doloroso' is the adjective that describes something *as* painful (La noticia es dolorosa = The news is painful).