Inklingo

How to Say "pains" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dolores

/doh-LOH-rehs//doˈloɾes/

nounA1general
Use 'dolores' when referring to physical suffering, aches, or pains in the body.
A colorful illustration of a person experiencing physical discomfort, gently touching their knee with a look of mild distress.

Examples

Tengo dolores de cabeza todos los días.

I have headaches every day.

El doctor le preguntó si tenía dolores en las articulaciones.

The doctor asked him if he had pains in his joints.

Después de correr la maratón, mis dolores musculares duraron tres días.

After running the marathon, my muscle aches lasted three days.

Los dolores de la guerra afectaron a toda la región.

The sorrows of the war affected the entire region.

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.

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.)

pena

/PEH-nah//ˈpena/

nounB1general
Use 'pena' when referring to the effort or trouble taken to achieve something, often in the phrase 'valer la pena' (to be worth the effort).
A determined hiker standing triumphantly on the high peak of a steep mountain, symbolizing that the great effort was worthwhile.

Examples

Este proyecto vale la pena el esfuerzo.

This project is worth the effort.

Aprender un nuevo idioma vale la pena.

Learning a new language is worth the effort.

Merece la pena visitar ese museo.

It's worthwhile to visit that museum.

A duras penas llegamos a tiempo.

We barely managed to arrive on time.

latas

/LAH-tahs//ˈlatas/

nounB2informal
Use 'latas' informally to describe something or someone that is annoying or troublesome.
A small buzzing mosquito flying around a person's head.

Examples

Deja de darme latas, quiero dormir.

Stop bothering me, I want to sleep.

No me vengas con tus latas ahora.

Don't come to me with your annoyances now.

Abstract Plurals

When used to mean 'annoyances,' the plural form emphasizes that there are multiple bothersome things or a repetitive situation.

Confusing Physical Pain with Annoyance

Learners often mistakenly use 'dolores' for figurative annoyances. Remember that 'dolores' is for physical pain, while 'latas' is for bothersome situations or people, and 'pena' relates to effort or worth.

Related Translations

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