How to Say ‘Where does it hurt?’ in Japanese
どこがつらいですか。
doko ga tsurai desu ka
[doh-koh gah tsoo-rai dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally, this is closer to “Which part is uncomfortable?” Great for shoulder, neck, or back tension.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Massage staff often use gentle wording like this to sound caring, not too clinical.
Phrase Breakdown
どこが
doko ga
where; which part
が marks the subject/topic being asked about: “which place?”
どこがつらいですか。
Where is painful?
Words in this phrase
どこ
doko
[doh-koh]
where
Used to ask which place or body area is the problem.
どこがつらいですか。
Which area feels painful?
が
ga
[gah]
subject marker
Marks the area being asked about.
どこが痛いですか。
Where does it hurt?
つらいですか。
tsurai desu ka
is it painful?; is it difficult?
In this context, つらい means “painful” or “sore,” and ですか makes it a polite question.
どこがつらいですか。
Where is painful?
Words in this phrase
つらい
tsurai
[tsoo-rai]
painful; tough; uncomfortable
Often used when a body part feels strained, sore, or difficult.
肩がつらいです。
My shoulder is painful.
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; are
Polite copula used in standard speech.
首がつらいです。
My neck is bothering me.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Turns the statement into a polite question.
大丈夫ですか。
Are you okay?
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