英語で「痛い」をどう表現する？ Pain, Sore, Ache, Hurt の使い分けと感覚表現

English has many words to describe how your body feels when something is wrong.

Pain, ache, sore, hurt - these words are similar, but they are not the same. Using the wrong one can confuse your listener. It can also get you the WRONG kind of help.

Today, we will look at the core differences, then add words to describe intensity (how strong it is), and finally learn some natural British phrases for feeling unwell.

1. The Big Four: Pain, Ache, Sore, Hurt

These are the four words you will use most.

Pain (noun)

A strong, often sharp (e.g. knife/scissors) feeling. It is a clear signal that something is wrong.

- "I fell over and felt a sharp pain in my knee."

- "He has back pain from sitting too long."

Think: Pain is the general, strong word.

Ache (noun / verb)

A dull (not sharp), continuous feeling. It goes on for a while and is often less strong than pain.

- "I have a dull ache in my shoulder - I think it’s from carrying my heavy suitcase."

- "My legs are aching after the run."

Think: Ache is a long, low-level feeling. It is less sharp than pain.

Sore (adjective)

Painful to touch. It often describes a body part after exercise, injury, or infection.

- "My throat is sore. I think I have a cold. It feels red and raw."

- "My muscles are sore after the gym."

Think: Sore means "it hurts when you touch or use it."

Hurt (verb / adjective)

This is the most general word. It simply means "to feel pain."

- "My foot hurts."

- "Does it hurt when you move your arm?"

- "My back is really hurting today."

Think: Hurt is the simple, everyday word. You can use it in almost any situation.

2. Describing the Intensity (How Strong It Is)

Sometimes you need to give more detail about the feeling. Here is a simple scale from mild to strong.

Tender (adjective)

Slightly painful when you press it. It is a mild feeling.

- "The bruise is tender to touch."

- "My arm feels a bit tender after the injection."

Think: Tender = only hurts when you touch it.

Stiff (adjective)

Difficult to move. It often describes muscles or joints.

- "My neck is stiff from sleeping badly."

- "I feel stiff after sitting all day."

Think: Stiff = hard to move freely.

Dull (adjective)

A continuous, low-level feeling. It is not sharp. This often describes an ache.

- "I have a dull pain in my lower back."

- "It's not a sharp pain, just a dull ache."

Think: Dull = the opposite of sharp. It's a heavy, unclear feeling.

Sharp (adjective)

Sudden and strong, like a cut or a needle. It often describes a quick pain.

- "I felt a sharp pain in my ankle after I fell down the stairs."

- "Don't touch that. It has a sharp edge."

Think: Sharp = quick, strong, and obvious.

3. British Phrases for Feeling Unwell

British people often use soft, indirect language to talk about being sick. Here are four very common phrases.

Under the weather

This means feeling slightly ill or not well.
For example: colds, coughs, and headaches.
It is the most common expression.

- "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today."

- "He's been under the weather all week."

Off colour

This means looking or feeling a little unwell.
For example: they look pale and unfocused.

- "You look a bit off colour. Are you okay?"

- "I felt off colour yesterday, but I'm fine now."

Coming down with something

This means you are starting to feel ill. You think you are getting a cold or flu.

- "I think I'm coming down with something. I feel very tired."

- "She's coming down with a cold so she’s wearing a mask."

Feeling rough

This is a casual way to say you feel quite bad. It is common among friends.

- "I'm feeling rough this morning. Too much work, I think."

- "He’s feeling rough, so he’s taking the day off."

Cultural Note: In British culture, people often understate (make smaller) their problems.
Saying "I'm a bit under the weather" can mean anything from a small headache to a bad flu.
Listen to the tone of voice for the real meaning.

Why This Matters

Using the right word helps people understand you clearly, which is very important if you need help.

- If you say "I have a pain," it sounds serious.

- If you say "I have an ache," it sounds less urgent.

- If you say "My leg is sore," people know it hurts to touch.

- If you say "I feel under the weather," people know you are generally unwell.

The wrong word can make a small problem sound big, or a big problem sound small.

What Not to Say

Here are common mistakes to avoid.

- ✘ "I have a head pain."

✔ "I have a headache. (Use "ache" for head, tooth, ear, stomach, back.)

- ✘ "My throat is hurting." - Ok, but not natural English.

✔ "My throat is sore." (Sore is the natural word for throat, eyes, muscles.)

- ✘ "I have a dull pain here." (If the pain is very strong)

✔ "I have a sharp pain here." (Match the word to the feeling.)

- ✘ "I am pain."

✔ "I am in pain." (This sentence needs the preposition ‘in’)

Quick Practice

Choose the best word for each situation.

1. You exercised too much. Your muscles hurt to touch. You say: "My legs are ___."

a) sore

b) pain

2. You have a bad, continuous feeling in your tooth. You say: "I have a tooth___."

a) pain

b) ache

3. You are starting to feel a little ill. You say: "I think I'm ___ something."

a) coming down with

b) feeling rough with

4. You touched a hot pan and felt a sudden, strong feeling. You say: "I felt a ___ pain."

a) dull

b) sharp

5. You want to say you feel a bit unwell, in a soft, British way. You say: "I'm a bit ___."

a) off colour

b) broken

Final Thought

You do not need to use all these words at once. Start with the core four: pain, ache, sore, hurt. These cover most situations in daily life.

When you want to sound more natural, add the intensity words to give detail, and use the British phrases to talk about feeling unwell in a softer way.

Answers:

1) a

2) b

3) a

4) b

5) a