Frases básicas de emociones y viaje en español

What does “me duele” mean in Spanish?

Me duele means “it hurts me.” The trick for beginners: the part that hurts is the subject, and me points to you. So you say Me duele la cabeza (“my head hurts”), literally “the head hurts to me.” You do not say “I hurt my head.” The clip uses the short form Me duele on its own (“it hurts”). It works just like me gusta: the thing acts on you, and me shows who feels it.

Match the verb to one part or many: Me duele la espalda (“my back hurts”), Me duelen los pies (“my feet hurt”). Change the person with te or le: ¿Te duele? (“does it hurt you?”). The clip also gives Estoy triste (“I am sad”) and No te preocupes (“don’t worry”).