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CÓMO EXPRESAR DOLOR HOW TO TALK ABOUT PAIN |
When we want to express pain in Spanish we use two kinds of expressions:
1.- We use the verb DOLER (to ache)
| Ex.- Me duele la cabeza | (My head aches) |
2.- We use the verb TENER + the noun DOLOR + the preposition DE (I have a (something) ache)
| Ex.- Tengo dolor de cabeza | (I have a headache) |
1.- The verb DOLER is conjugated in the same way as GUSTAR, that is, there are only 2 forms of the verb: one for singular, "DUELE", and one for plural, "DUELEN". These forms are combined with the Indirect object pronouns in order to express the different persons. The end result is as follows:
| 1st p. sing | ME | DUELE/N |
| 2nd p. sing | TE | DUELE/N |
| 3rd p. sing | LE | DUELE/N |
| 1st p. pl | NOS | DUELE/N |
| 2nd p. pl | OS | DUELE/N |
| 3rd p. pl | LES | DUELE/N |
The form "DUELE" is used with singular items such as "cabeza, pie, dedo, etc." whereas "DUELEN" is used with plural items such as "piernas, brazos, muelas, etc."
2.- The phrase "TENER DOLOR DE" is always combined with a noun which can be singular or plural. The verb "TENER" is conjugated to express person.
| Ex. | Tengo dolor de cabeza | (I have a headache) |
| Tienes dolor de estómago | (You have a stomachache) |
How to Talk About Symptoms and Illnesses
We use the verb "TENER" when we want to talk about our symptoms or a specific illness.
Illnesses
| Ex. | Tengo gripe | I have the flu |
| Tengo alergia | I have an allergy | |
| Tengo bronquitis | I have bronchitis | |
| Tengo apendicitis | I have appendicitis | |
| Tengo un resfriado | I have a cold |
Symptoms
| Ex. | Tengo fiebre | I have a fever |
| Tengo escalofríos | I am shivering | |
| Tengo un sarpullido | I have a rash | |
| Tengo vómitos | I am vomiting | |
| Tengo tos | I have a cough | |
| Tengo la nariz taponada | My nose is blocked |
When we are talking about how we feel physically (or mentally) we use the verb "ESTAR"
| Ex. | Estoy enfermo | I am ill |
| Estoy agotado | I am exhausted | |
| Estoy mareado | I am dizzy | |
| Estoy nervioso | I am nervous |
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