Inklingo

How to Say "to chafe" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rozar

/ro-SAR/ or /ro-THAR//roˈθar/

verbB1skin irritation from friction
Use 'rozar' when referring to skin becoming irritated or sore specifically due to friction or rubbing, like from clothing or shoes.
A person's heel with a small red patch of skin where a stiff shoe has rubbed against it.

Examples

Estos zapatos me rozan en el talón.

These shoes chafe my heel.

La etiqueta de la camisa me está rozando.

The shirt tag is rubbing against me (irritating me).

Subject-Object Confusion

Mistake: “Saying 'Yo rozo los zapatos'.”

Correction: Say 'Los zapatos me rozan'. The shoes are the things doing the rubbing!

irritar

/ee-ree-TAR//iriˈtaɾ/

verbB1skin rubbing
Use 'irritar' for a more general sense of causing discomfort, annoyance, or a mild inflammation, often not directly caused by physical friction but by something else (like a substance).
A close up of a person's arm showing a patch of red, bumpy skin.

Examples

El cloro de la piscina me irrita los ojos.

The chlorine in the pool irritates my eyes.

Esta crema puede irritar la piel sensible.

This cream can irritate sensitive skin.

Si te rascas mucho, te vas a irritar la herida.

If you scratch a lot, you're going to inflame the wound.

Body Parts

In Spanish, we don't say 'my eyes' with this verb. Instead, we say 'me irrita los ojos' (it irritates to-me the eyes).

Confusion with 'picar'

Mistake: “Using 'irritar' for an itch.”

Correction: If your skin is itchy, use 'picar'. If it's red, sore, or inflamed, use 'irritar'.

Friction vs. General Irritation

Learners often confuse 'rozar' and 'irritar' by using 'irritar' for physical friction. Remember that 'rozar' specifically describes skin being rubbed raw, while 'irritar' is broader and can include non-physical causes of discomfort.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.