Inklingo
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duelo

/DWEH-loh/

grief

A solitary figure wearing simple clothes sitting on the ground, hugging their knees, symbolizing profound sadness and grief. A large stylized teardrop is floating nearby.

The feeling of profound sadness following a loss is called 'duelo' (grief).

duelo(noun)

mB1

grief

?

emotional pain following a loss

,

mourning

?

the period or act of grieving

Also:

sorrow

?

deep sadness

📝 In Action

Después de la muerte de su abuelo, ella pasó por un largo duelo.

B1

After her grandfather's death, she went through a long period of mourning (grief).

El duelo es un proceso natural y necesario.

B1

Grief is a natural and necessary process.

La familia guardó duelo durante un año.

B2

The family observed a period of mourning for a year.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • luto (mourning (the state of wearing black))
  • pena (sorrow, sadness)

Antonyms

  • alegría (joy)

Common Collocations

  • guardar duelo – to observe a period of mourning
  • superar el duelo – to overcome grief

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Remember that 'duelo' (grief) is masculine, so you always use 'el duelo' or 'un duelo'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Duelo vs. Dolor

Mistake: "Using 'dolor' when talking about emotional loss ('Tengo dolor por mi perro')."

Correction: Use 'duelo' for deep emotional grief related to loss, and 'dolor' for physical pain or general sadness ('Tengo duelo por mi perro').

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Sympathy

You can use the phrase 'Mis condolencias' (My condolences) or 'Siento mucho tu duelo' (I am so sorry for your grief) to express sympathy.

Two stylized figures in simple historical attire facing each other in an outdoor clearing, holding thin swords crossed in front of them, engaging in a formal duel.

A formal fight for honor between two opponents is known as a 'duelo' (duel).

duelo(noun)

mB2

duel

?

a formal fight, usually historical or for honor

,

contest

?

a serious, high-stakes competition

Also:

showdown

?

final confrontation

📝 In Action

En el siglo XIX, los duelos con pistolas eran comunes entre caballeros.

B2

In the 19th century, duels with pistols were common among gentlemen.

El partido de ajedrez fue un duelo de titanes.

C1

The chess match was a contest (duel) between titans.

Se retaron a un duelo para resolver la disputa.

B2

They challenged each other to a duel to resolve the dispute.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • combate (combat, fight)
  • desafío (challenge)

Common Collocations

  • duelo a muerte – duel to the death
  • duelo verbal – verbal showdown

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning is often used figuratively to describe any intense, high-stakes competition, like a sports match or a negotiation.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If you hear 'duelo' in a modern context, it almost always means 'grief.' If you hear it with words like 'pistol' or 'honor,' it means 'duel.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: duelo

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'duelo' is used in the sentence: 'El equipo perdió el duelo final por un punto'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

doler(to hurt, to ache) - verb
dolor(pain) - noun
condolencia(condolence) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'duelo' related to the verb 'doler' (to hurt)?

Yes, absolutely! They share the same root meaning 'pain.' However, 'duelo' is a noun (the pain itself, or the formal fight). The verb 'doler' means 'to hurt' or 'to ache,' and its 'yo' form (I hurt/I ache) is actually 'yo duELo', which is spelled exactly the same as the noun. This is a common point of confusion!

How do I know if 'duelo' means 'grief' or 'duel'?

Look at the surrounding words. If you see 'muerte' (death), 'pérdida' (loss), or 'luto' (mourning), it means grief. If you see 'pistola' (pistol), 'honor', or 'reto' (challenge), it means duel/contest.