The Spanish verb DOLER. How is it used?

The verb doler has a particular usage that confuses many students of Spanish. Here we explain its use.

The main thing is to know that this verb behaves just like GUSTAR. The person is not the subject, but the thing. Let’s explain. For example:

(A mí) ME GUSTA el chocolate / (A vosotros) OS DUELE la cabeza

(A ti) TE GUSTAN los coches / (A él) LE DUELEN los pies

(A nosotros) NO NOS GUSTA el fútbol / (A ellos) NO LES DUELE la mano

Notice that the verb GUSTAR/ DOLER, in these sentences, coincides in number with “chocolate”, “cars”, “head”, etc.

GUSTA / chocolate

GUSTAN / coches

DUELEN / pies

DUELE / mano

This is because the subject of the sentence is not us, but the nouns“chocolate”, “head”, “feet”, “hand”…

El chocolate (me) gusta a mí

Los chocolates (me) gustan a mí

We hope it’s a little clearer for you… ¡Y que no os duela nada!

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The Spanish verb DOLER. How is it used? 2
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