Cool MateHurt vs Pain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Hurt | Pain | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to cause pain or damage to someone or something | unpleasant feeling or discomfort in the body |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Usage notes | Use 'hurt' when talking about physical or emotional pain. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts but avoid it in overly formal writing. Saying someone 'hurt my feelings' is common. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it lightly; can be serious when discussing medical issues. |
Frequently asked questions: Hurt vs Pain
What's the difference between "Hurt" and "Pain"?
"Hurt" means: to cause pain or damage to someone or something "Pain" means: unpleasant feeling or discomfort in the body
When should I use "Hurt" and "Pain"?
They can all be used in everyday English.
Are "Hurt" and "Pain" the same CEFR level?
"Hurt" is at A2, "Pain" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.