Meaning
To experience physical discomfort or ache.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are very expressive about health. It is common to hear people complaining about 'dor' in social settings as a way to bond or seek empathy. In Portugal, the plural 'dores' is frequently used for general body discomfort, and the tone might be slightly more formal than in Brazil. In some African Portuguese varieties, 'sentir dor' can be used in very rhythmic and metaphorical ways in music (Kizomba/Semba) to describe social struggle. In Portuguese-speaking hospitals, the 'Escala de Dor' (Pain Scale) from 0 to 10 is standard. You will be asked: 'De 0 a 10, quanta dor você sente?'
The 'De' Rule
When the pain is inside an organ or a general area, use 'de': dor de cabeça, dor de dente, dor de estômago.
Avoid 'Ter'
While 'ter dor' is understood, 'estar com dor' or 'sentir dor' sounds much more natural to native ears.
Meaning
To experience physical discomfort or ache.
The 'De' Rule
When the pain is inside an organ or a general area, use 'de': dor de cabeça, dor de dente, dor de estômago.
Avoid 'Ter'
While 'ter dor' is understood, 'estar com dor' or 'sentir dor' sounds much more natural to native ears.
The Diminutive
If someone says they have a 'dorzinha', they might be downplaying a serious problem. Brazilians often do this to avoid worrying others.
Test Yourself
Complete with the correct form of 'sentir'.
Eu ______ dor de dente.
The first person singular (Eu) of 'sentir' is 'sinto'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I feel pain in my back'?
The person is the subject, and 'nas' (em + as) is the correct preposition for location.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matching body parts: cabeça (head), pé (foot), estômago (stomach), braço (arm).
Complete the dialogue.
Médico: Você sente dor aqui? Paciente: Sim, eu ______ muita dor quando você aperta.
The patient is responding about their own feeling, so 'sinto' is required.
Match the intensity to the phrase.
If you have a very strong pain, you say:
'Forte' means strong, while 'dorzinha' is a little pain.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Common Types of 'Dor'
Physical
- • Dor de cabeça
- • Dor de dente
- • Dor nas costas
Emotional
- • Dor no coração
- • Dor da perda
- • Saudade
Practice Bank
5 exercisesEu ______ dor de dente.
The first person singular (Eu) of 'sentir' is 'sinto'.
How do you say 'I feel pain in my back'?
The person is the subject, and 'nas' (em + as) is the correct preposition for location.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching body parts: cabeça (head), pé (foot), estômago (stomach), braço (arm).
Médico: Você sente dor aqui? Paciente: Sim, eu ______ muita dor quando você aperta.
The patient is responding about their own feeling, so 'sinto' is required.
If you have a very strong pain, you say:
'Forte' means strong, while 'dorzinha' is a little pain.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your surgeon.
Yes, it's very common in songs and poetry to describe heartbreak.
'Dor' is usually one specific pain. 'Dores' is plural, often used for body aches or chronic issues.
You can say 'Sinto dor nas costas' or 'Estou com dor nas costas'.
Usually, yes. If it's a general condition, you might say 'Eu costumo sentir dor'.
No, that would be 'um chato' or 'um pé no saco'.
Yes! 'Sinto muito' means 'I feel much/I'm sorry'. 'Sinto dor' means 'I feel pain'.
Ask: 'Você está com dor?' or 'Você sente dor?'
Statistically, 'dor nas costas' (back pain) and 'dor de cabeça' (headache) are the most reported.
Yes, but you would specify: 'Sinto uma dor que queima'.
Related Phrases
estar com dor
similarTo be experiencing pain right now
doer
similarTo hurt
sofrer
builds onTo suffer
magoar
specialized formTo hurt someone's feelings or cause a physical bruise
dor de cotovelo
specialized formJealousy (literally: elbow pain)
