📍😣❓

How to Say ‘Where does it hurt?’ in Japanese

どのへんが痛いですか。

dono hen ga itai desu ka

[doh-noh HEN ga ee-TAH-ee dess ka]

💬 Usage Tip: へん means "area" or "around", so the doctor is asking roughly which area. You don't need to name the exact spot.

Phrase Breakdown

どのへんが

dono hen ga

which area / around where

どの (dono) means 'which' and へん (hen) means 'area'. が marks the subject. Give the 'n' in 'hen' its own full beat.

Example

どのへんに住んでいますか。

Around where do you live?

Words in this phrase

どの

dono

[doh-noh]

which

Used before a noun to ask which one among several choices.

Example

どの席がいいですか。

Which seat is good?

へん

hen

[HEN]

area; around

Means a general area or vicinity; used to ask roughly where.

Example

このへんに薬局はありますか。

Is there a pharmacy around here?

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

痛いですか。

itai desu ka

does it hurt?

痛い (itai) means 'painful', and ですか turns it into a polite question. Raise your voice slightly on 'ka'.

Example

足は痛いですか。

Does your leg hurt?

Words in this phrase

痛い

itai

[ee-TAH-ee]

painful; hurts

An i-adjective used to say something hurts.

Example

頭が痛いです。

I have a headache.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

[ka]

question particle

Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.

Example

行くか？

Shall we go?

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager