01
weh tun / wehtun
to hurt
To cause physical or emotional pain.
example
Pass auf, dass du dir nicht den Kopf stößt, das tut weh!
Be careful not to bump your head; that hurts!
weh
sore / painful
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure with dative
The verb 'wehtun' (to hurt) always needs a dative object for the person who feels the pain. The thing causing the pain is the subject. The structure is: [subject] tut [dative object] weh.
EXAMPLE
Mein Rücken tut mir weh.
My back hurts.
Word order
'Wehtun' (to hurt) behaves like a separable verb. In a main clause, 'tun' stands in the conjugated position and 'weh' goes at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Mein Kopf tut schon den ganzen Tag weh.
My head has been hurting all day.
Fixed expression
'Oh weh!' (oh dear!) is a fixed exclamation used to express regret, worry, or a small mishap. It usually comes at the beginning of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Oh weh, ich habe meinen Schlüssel drinnen vergessen!
Oh dear, I forgot my key inside!
Also for emotional pain
'Wehtun' (to hurt) describes not only physical pain but also emotional pain. In this case, words, memories, or actions, for example, can 'wehtun' (hurt).
EXAMPLE
Seine unfreundlichen Worte haben mir sehr wehgetan.
His unkind words hurt me a lot.
Compare with
weh vs verletzen
to injure / hurt / violate
'verletzen' and 'weh' both have to do with physical or emotional pain. 'verletzen' usually describes that someone or something causes harm: a wound, hurt feelings, or an insult. 'weh' is used mainly in the phrase 'weh tun' or 'wehtun' (to hurt), when something causes pain or when you feel the pain. The words can be confused because both fit in contexts of pain. In practical terms: 'verletzen' emphasizes the harm, while 'weh tun' emphasizes the pain.
weh
Nach dem Training tut Yara das Knie weh.
After training, Yara's knee hurts.
verletzen
Beim Kochen habe ich mich am Messer verletzt.
I injured myself on the knife while cooking.
In real life
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