Spanish Phrase
¿Dónde te duele?
Meaning
A direct, informal way to ask someone where they are feeling pain. It literally translates to “Where does it hurt you?” and is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts when checking on someone’s well‑being.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re a friend, family member, or health professional checking on a person’s discomfort. It works in casual conversation, at a doctor’s office, or when offering help after an accident.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Dóndeteduele?
¿Dónde?
Interrogative adverb meaning 'where', used to ask about location.
te
Second‑person singular indirect object pronoun, indicating the person who feels the pain.
duele
Third‑person singular present of the verb 'doler' (to hurt). The verb is impersonal; the subject is the pain itself, not the person.
🗨In Conversation
¿Dónde te duele?
Where does it hurt?
Me duele la cabeza y el brazo derecho.
My head and my right arm hurt.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Dónde te dolo?
The verb is 'doler', not 'dolo'. 'Dolo' is a noun meaning 'malice'.
Te duele donde?
Word order matters; the interrogative 'dónde' must come first.
Me duele donde?
Use the indirect object pronoun that matches the person you’re speaking to; 'me' is first‑person, not appropriate when asking someone else.
↔Alternatives
¿En qué parte te duele?
In which part does it hurt?
¿Qué te duele?
What hurts you?
¿Dónde sientes dolor?
Where do you feel pain?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries the verb 'doler' is used like the English 'to hurt' and is always conjugated in the third person, even when referring to the listener (e.g., 'Me duele'). Avoid translating directly from English and saying 'Yo duele' – that is grammatically incorrect. Also, be mindful of register: '¿Dónde te duele?' is informal; in a formal medical setting you might say '¿Dónde le duele?' using the formal 'le'.