Spanish
Grade 9
15 min
Me duele... (My... hurts)
Learn to express where you have pain (Me duele la cabeza).
What you'll learn
- Point to at least 3 body parts (head, stomach, arm, leg) when the teacher says the Spanish word for them.
- Say 'Me duele...' and then point to the body part that hurts in a role-playing activity with a partner.
- Match at least 4 out of 5 Spanish words for body parts with the correct picture of the body part.
- Repeat the phrase 'Me duele...' after the teacher says it with correct pronunciation at least 3 times.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Correctly use the verb 'doler' with all indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, os, les).
Differentiate between 'duele' (singular) and 'duelen' (plural) based on the body part.
Identify and name at least 15 common body parts in Spanish.
Construct complex sentences explaining why a body part hurts (e.g., 'Me duele la cabeza porque no dormí bien').
Use definite articles (el, la, los, las) instead of possessive adjectives (mi, tu, su) when referring to body parts with 'doler'.
Recognize simple subjunctive triggers related to health, such as 'Espero que no te duela la garganta'.
¡Ay! 🤕 Te caes mientras juegas al fútbol. ¿Cómo le dices al entrenador exactamente qué te pasó y dónde sientes el dolor...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
DolerA verb that means 'to hurt' or 'to ache'. It functions like 'gustar', where the thing that hurts is the subject of the sentence, not the person feeling the pain.Me duele la cabeza. (My head hurts.) - 'La cabeza' is the subject causing the pain.
Pronombre de Objeto Indirecto (Indirect Object Pronoun)A pronoun that indicates who is experiencing the pain. It always comes before the verb 'doler'.A ella le duelen los pies. (Her feet hurt.) - 'le' is the indirect object pronoun for 'ella'.
Concordancia (Agreement)The grammatical rule that the verb 'doler' must match the noun (the body part) in number (singular or plural).Me duele el estómago (singular). Me duelen los ojos (plural).
Artícul...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The 'Doler' Formula
(A + persona) + [Pronombre de Objeto Indirecto] + [duele/duelen] + [artículo definido] + [parte del cuerpo singular/plural].
This is the fundamental structure for any sentence using 'doler'. Start with the optional clarifier, add the mandatory indirect object pronoun, choose the correct form of 'doler', and finish with the article and body part.
Duele vs. Duelen
Use 'duele' for one body part. Use 'duelen' for two or more body parts.
The verb conjugation depends entirely on whether the body part is singular or plural. It does not depend on the person feeling the pain.
Indirect Object Pronouns for 'Doler'
me (I), te (you, informal), le (he/she/you, formal), nos (we), os (you all, Spain), les...
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Challenging
Which sentence is the most grammatically complex and entirely correct expression of hope?
A.Espero que a tu abuelo no le duele las rodillas.
B.Espero que a tu abuelo no le duelan sus rodillas.
C.Espero que a tu abuelo no le duelan las rodillas.
D.Espero que tu abuelo no duele las rodillas.
Challenging
A friend tells you, 'A mi hermano le duelen mucho los ojos y la cabeza.' What is the most likely cause?
A.Corrió una maratón.
B.Comió demasiado.
C.Pasó diez horas mirando una pantalla.
D.Levantó pesas en el gimnasio.
Challenging
Given the sentence 'Yo tengo un dolor de muelas,' which is the most accurate and common way to rephrase it using the verb 'doler'?
A.Me duele las muelas.
B.mí me duelen las muelas.
C.Yo duelo de las muelas.
D.Las muelas me duelen a yo.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Me duele... (My... hurts)"?
Me duele... (My... hurts) is a Grade 9 Spanish lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Me duele... (My... hurts)?
You'll be able to: Point to at least 3 body parts (head, stomach, arm, leg) when the teacher says the Spanish word for them; Say 'Me duele...' and then point to the body part that hurts in a role-playing activity with a partner; Match at least 4….
Is "Me duele... (My... hurts)" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Me duele... (My... hurts)?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.