In Part 1 of this series, we learnt how to describe pain simply using the verb "hurt". This blog will build on what you have learnt by discussing how to express various types of pain.
Verbs
Pain is often described using verbs. Here are some common examples, followed by descriptions of how they feel:
- Ache: Continuous, dull pain felt inside the body or bones.
- My legs are aching after running 20 kilometres today.
- Throb: A series of regular, painful beats inside the body.
- A bee just stung my hand. It’s throbbing like crazy!
- Sting: A sharp pain felt at the surface of the skin or eye.
- I got some shampoo in my eyes while washing my hair today. It really stings!
Note: The noun forms of these verbs are also ache, throb, and sting.
Adjectives
We can also express pain using adjectives, like:
- Sore: Uncomfortable pain often at the surface of an organ or within a joint.
- My throat is sore today. I think I’m sick.
- My back is sore after lifting so many boxes.
Adjectives are especially important for describing degrees of pain. This includes words like dull, slight, sharp, and strong. To explain the level of pain you are experiencing, first combine one of these adjectives with a noun, such as "pain" or "ache":
- slight pain;
- dull ache.
Then, state where you are experiencing the pain. Here are some examples:
- I feel a sharp pain in my back.
- I feel a dull ache in my leg.
Test yourself
Now that you know how to describe pain in detail, imagine yourself in the following situations and describe the pain you feel.
- You have been looking at the computer screen all day. How do your eyes feel?
- While gardening, you are stung by an ant on your hand. How does your hand feel?
- You are at the local clinic and want to explain to the doctor that your back hurts a lot whenever you bend forward. What do you say?
Make sure you read Describing pain: Part 1 too!
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dull [adjective]—lacking intensity.
sharp [adjective]—sudden and strong.
