A guide to saying it like a local

How to Say "I'm hurt" in Spanish

Learn how to say 'I'm hurt' in Spanish, including proper pronunciation, common alternatives, and mistakes to avoid in an emergency.

By PronunciationHub Editors · Reviewed 2026-05-21 · Neutral register

Estoy herido

ehs-TOY eh-REE-dohneutral

A single phrase, broken down

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Use this phrase in medical emergencies when you have suffered a physical injury, such as a deep cut, a broken bone, or trauma from an accident. It immediately communicates to bystanders, first responders, or medical staff that you require urgent physical assistance. Do not use it for casual emotional hurt or minor discomfort.

Alternatives

Me lastimébetter for minor or sudden injuries like a sprained ankle or a bumped head
Me duele aquíbetter if you want to point directly to a specific spot that is causing you pain
Estoy heridabetter and grammatically required if the person who is injured identifies as female

Ways to get it wrong

Using 'estoy lesionado' for everyday injuries

While correct, 'lesionado' is heavily associated with sports injuries and sounds like an athlete talking about a game rather than a general emergency.

Using 'bizarro' to mean bizarre or scary

In traditional Spanish, 'bizarro' means brave or gallant, so stick to describing your physical state rather than trying to call the situation 'bizarra'.

A small cultural note

In Latin America, shouting '¡Auxilio!' or '¡Ayuda!' is often the fastest way to get attention before specifying your injury with 'estoy herido'.

Frequently asked

how do you say im hurt in spanish if you are a woman

You must change the ending of the adjective to match your gender. Say 'estoy herida' instead of 'estoy herido'.

difference between me duele and estoy herido

'Me duele' means 'it hurts' and focuses on the sensation of pain in a specific body part. 'Estoy herido' means 'I am injured' and indicates general physical trauma.

can you use estoy herido for emotional pain

No, 'estoy herido' refers strictly to physical wounds in everyday speech. For emotional heartbreak, it is much more natural to say 'estoy dolido' or 'tengo el corazón roto'.