A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My back hurts" in Spanish
Express discomfort when your back is causing pain in Spanish.
Me duele la espalda.
meh DOO-eh-leh lah es-PAL-dahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're feeling physical discomfort due to your back. It's perfect for telling a friend, family member, or doctor that your back is hurting.
Alternatives
- Tengo dolor de espalda.Slightly more formal, emphasizing the presence of pain.
- Me está doliendo la espalda.Emphasizes that the pain is happening right now.
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'tener' incorrectly
Don't say 'Tengo espalda dolida'; use 'Me duele la espalda' or 'Tengo dolor de espalda'.
Wrong verb for pain
Avoid 'Mi espalda lastima' or 'Mi espalda hiere'; 'doler' is the correct verb for 'to hurt' in this context.
A small cultural note
Complaining about minor aches and pains is common and usually met with sympathy in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Frequently asked
how to say my back hurts in spanish
The most common way is 'Me duele la espalda.' This literally translates to 'The back hurts me.'
me duele la espalda vs tengo dolor de espalda
'Me duele la espalda' is more common for expressing the feeling of pain. 'Tengo dolor de espalda' is also correct and means 'I have back pain.'
what does duele mean in spanish
Duele is a form of the verb 'doler,' which means 'to hurt' or 'to ache.' It's used similarly to how 'it hurts' is used in English.
