Inklingo

How to Say "to injure" in Spanish

English → Spanish

herir

/eh-REER//eˈɾiɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'herir' when referring to causing significant physical harm, especially in a context that might be more formal or when describing wounds.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a small cartoon child character holding a knee with a colorful bandage on it, signifying a physical wound.

Examples

El accidente hirió a tres personas gravemente.

The accident injured three people seriously.

No quiero herirte con esta aguja.

I don't want to wound you with this needle.

La bala le hirió el hombro.

The bullet wounded his shoulder.

The 'e' to 'ie' Change

This verb is irregular. In the present tense, the 'e' changes to 'ie' in all forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. Remember: 'hiero' (I wound) but 'herimos' (we wound).

The 'e' to 'i' Change in the Past

In the simple past (preterite), the third-person forms change 'e' to 'i': 'él hirió' (he wounded) and 'ellos hirieron' (they wounded). This is a common pattern for many 'ir' stem-changing verbs.

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Yo herro (I wound)”

Correction: Yo hiero. The 'e' must change to 'ie' in the present tense 'boot' forms.

lastimar

lahs-tee-MAHR/lastiˈmaɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'lastimar' for causing physical harm, particularly when it's a less severe injury or a more common, everyday situation. It can also be used for emotional hurt.
A simple storybook illustration of a sad child sitting on the floor with a bright red bandage wrapped around their knee, clearly showing a physical injury.

Examples

El perro lastimó al cartero en el brazo.

The dog injured the mail carrier on the arm.

Ten cuidado, no te vayas a lastimar con esa herramienta.

Be careful, don't hurt yourself with that tool. (using lastimarse)

¿Te lastimaste cuando te caíste de la bicicleta?

Did you hurt yourself when you fell off the bicycle?

Using 'Lastimarse'

When you hurt yourself, you must use the reflexive form ('lastimarse') and a pronoun (me, te, se, nos). For example: 'Me lastimé' (I hurt myself).

Focus on the Body Part

Spanish usually focuses on the body part being hurt, not the possessor. Say: 'Me lastimé la mano' (I hurt MY hand), not 'Me lastimé mi mano'.

Lastimar vs. Doler

Mistake: “Using 'lastimar' when you mean 'to feel pain,' e.g., 'Mi cabeza lastima.'”

Correction: Use 'doler' for the sensation of pain. 'Me duele la cabeza' (My head hurts). 'Lastimar' is the *action* of causing the injury.

Herir vs. Lastimar

Learners often confuse 'herir' and 'lastimar'. While both mean 'to injure' physically, 'herir' often implies a more serious wound and is common in news reports or formal descriptions. 'Lastimar' is more versatile and can be used for minor injuries or even emotional pain.

Related Translations

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