Inklingo

How to Say "pain" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dolor

/doh-LOR//doˈloɾ/

nounA1general
Use 'dolor' when referring to a physical sensation, like an ache, hurt, or discomfort in your body.
A small, simple cartoon character, perhaps a child, clutching their forehead with both hands and frowning, illustrating a sharp headache or physical pain.

Examples

Tengo un dolor de cabeza terrible.

I have a terrible headache.

Siento un dolor agudo en la espalda.

I feel a sharp pain in my back.

El medicamento alivió el dolor muscular.

The medicine relieved the muscle pain.

Using 'Tener' for Aches and Pains

In Spanish, you often say you 'have' a pain using the verb 'tener'. For example, 'Tengo dolor de cabeza' literally means 'I have a pain of the head'.

'Me duele' vs. 'Tengo dolor'

Mistake: “'Soy dolor en la cabeza.' (This sounds like 'I am a pain in the head.')”

Correction: Use 'Tengo dolor de cabeza' (I have a headache) or 'Me duele la cabeza' (My head hurts). Both are correct and very common ways to talk about pain.

sufrimiento

soo-free-mee-EN-toh/su.fɾiˈmjen.to/

nounB1general
Use 'sufrimiento' to describe profound emotional distress, hardship, or agony, often resulting from loss or difficult circumstances.
A small, simple human figure crouched down, visibly struggling under the weight of a single, large, heavy, dark gray rock resting on their back.

Examples

El sufrimiento por la pérdida de su mascota fue inmenso.

The suffering over the loss of his pet was immense.

Dicen que el sufrimiento nos hace más fuertes.

They say that hardship makes us stronger.

Hay que evitar el sufrimiento innecesario en la vida.

One must avoid unnecessary suffering in life.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-o', which is common for masculine nouns, remember to always use the masculine articles and adjectives: el sufrimiento, mucho sufrimiento.

Sufrimiento vs. Dolor

Mistake: “Using *sufrimiento* when referring strictly to a specific physical ache (e.g., 'Tengo sufrimiento en la rodilla').”

Correction: Use *dolor* for specific physical aches ('Tengo dolor en la rodilla'). *Sufrimiento* suggests a deeper, often prolonged emotional or existential distress, though it can include physical pain.

Physical vs. Emotional Pain

The most common mistake is using 'sufrimiento' for everyday physical aches. Remember, 'dolor' is for the body's pain, while 'sufrimiento' is for deep emotional suffering or hardship.

Related Translations

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