Body Parts and Health in Spanish
Knowing body parts and health phrases is essential when you travel or live abroad. The grammar is easy, because pain follows the same pattern as gustar, and body parts use the article instead of a possessive.
Quick answer
- Use me duele for pain: Me duele la cabeza.
- Use tengo for symptoms: Tengo fiebre. Tengo tos.
- Use the article, not 'my': Me lavo las manos.
Body parts
Learn the most common body words first.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la cabeza | head |
| el ojo, los ojos | eye, eyes |
| la boca | mouth |
| el brazo | arm |
| la mano | hand |
| la pierna | leg |
| el pie | foot |
| la espalda | back |
| el estómago | stomach |
| la garganta | throat |
Examples
- Me lavo las manos.I wash my hands.Article, not mis.
- Tengo los ojos azules.I have blue eyes.Tener + article.
- Mi hermano tiene el brazo roto.My brother has a broken arm.Article.
Pain with doler
Use doler like gustar: me duele for one thing, me duelen for many. The thing that hurts is the subject. Doler changes its stem: duele, duelen.
Examples
- Me duele la cabeza.My head hurts.One thing.
- Me duelen los pies.My feet hurt.Plural.
- ¿Te duele aquí?Does it hurt here?Question.
- Le duele la garganta.His throat hurts.Le = him or her.
Symptoms and illness
Use tener for most symptoms: tengo fiebre, tengo tos, tengo gripe. Use estar for the general state: estoy enfermo, estoy cansado. For a feeling, me siento mal (I feel bad).
Examples
- Tengo fiebre y tos.I have a fever and a cough.Tener.
- Estoy enfermo desde ayer.I have been sick since yesterday.Estar.
- Me siento muy mal.I feel very bad.Sentirse.
- Necesito ir al médico.I need to go to the doctor.Doctor.
At the doctor or pharmacy
At the pharmacy, ask ¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?. To say you are allergic, use Soy alérgico a…. In an emergency, say Necesito ayuda or Llame a una ambulancia.
Examples
- ¿Tiene algo para el dolor de estómago?Do you have something for a stomachache?Pharmacy.
- Soy alérgica a la penicilina.I am allergic to penicillin.Allergy.
- Llame a una ambulancia, por favor.Call an ambulance, please.Emergency.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico, people say el doctor or el médico. In Spain, la farmacia is a trusted first stop for minor problems, and resfriado means cold, while Mexico also says gripa.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Mi cabeza duele.
Correct: Me duele la cabeza.
Doler works like gustar.
Incorrect: Me duele los pies.
Correct: Me duelen los pies.
Plural subject, plural verb.
Incorrect: Estoy fiebre.
Correct: Tengo fiebre.
Use tener for symptoms.
Incorrect: Lavo mis manos.
Correct: Me lavo las manos.
Reflexive and article.
Remember the pattern
- Me duele + singular; me duelen + plural.
- Body parts use the article (la cabeza), not 'mi'.
- Tengo + symptom: fiebre, tos, gripe.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Why do we say ‘me duele la cabeza’ and not ‘mi cabeza duele’?
Spanish treats the body part as the subject and uses an indirect object for the person.
How do I say ‘I have a headache’?
Tengo dolor de cabeza or Me duele la cabeza.
What does ‘estoy resfriado’ mean?
I have a cold.
How do I say ‘I feel better’?
Me siento mejor.
Ready to practice your Spanish?
Me duele works like gustar. Try a short, free practice session.
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