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How to Say "sore" in Spanish

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doloroso

doh-loh-ROH-sohdo.loˈɾo.so

adjectiveA2general
Use 'doloroso' to describe something that causes pain, like a wound, a bruise, or a general feeling of discomfort.
A small child sitting down and holding their knee, which has a small scrape and is causing them discomfort.

Examples

Mi espalda está dolorosa después de levantar pesas.

My back is sore after lifting weights.

La herida en mi rodilla es muy dolorosa.

The wound on my knee is very painful.

Necesitas una operación, pero no será dolorosa.

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

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).

irritado

ee-rree-TAH-dohiriˈtaðo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'irritado' when a body part is red, inflamed, or uncomfortable due to external factors like allergies, friction, or irritants.
A close-up illustration of a person's red, inflamed elbow skin.

Examples

Tengo la garganta irritada por el aire seco.

I have a sore throat because of the dry air.

Tengo los ojos irritados por el cloro de la piscina.

My eyes are irritated because of the chlorine in the pool.

Su piel está muy irritada después de estar al sol.

Her skin is very sore after being in the sun.

Si tienes el brazo irritado, no te rasques.

If your arm is irritated, don't scratch.

Using 'Estar' for States

Since physical irritation is usually temporary, always use the verb 'estar' (to be) instead of 'ser'.

Matching the Noun

The ending of the word changes to match what is irritated: 'el ojo irritado' (male), 'la piel irritada' (female), 'los ojos irritados' (plural).

The 'Ser' Trap

Mistake: “Soy irritado.”

Correction: Estoy irritado. Use 'estar' because physical irritation isn't a permanent personality trait.

herida

eh-REE-daheˈɾiða

nounA2medical/general
Use 'herida' specifically for a physical injury, such as a cut, gash, or scrape that has broken the skin.
A close-up view of a scraped knee with a small adhesive bandage covering the minor injury.

Examples

El futbolista tiene una herida en la pierna.

The soccer player has a sore on his leg.

Necesitas limpiar bien la herida para evitar una infección.

You need to clean the wound well to avoid an infection.

Después del accidente, le pusieron puntos en la herida.

After the accident, they put stitches in the injury.

Always Feminine

Even though many words ending in '-a' are feminine, remember that 'herida' always uses feminine articles (la herida, una herida).

Confusing Noun and Adjective

Mistake: “La herida mujer (The wound woman)”

Correction: La mujer herida (The wounded woman). 'Herida' works as an adjective when describing someone, but as a noun when it's the injury itself.

úlcera

nounB1medical
Use 'úlcera' for a specific medical condition characterized by an open sore or lesion, often internal like in the stomach.

Examples

Las úlceras pueden ser causadas por estrés o bacterias.

Sores (ulcers) can be caused by stress or bacteria.

Adjective vs. Noun for 'Sore'

Learners often confuse 'doloroso' and 'irritado' with 'herida'. Remember that 'doloroso' and 'irritado' are adjectives describing a state, while 'herida' is a noun referring to a specific physical wound.

Related Translations

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