The word "lastimar" is a verb.
/las.ti.'maɾ/
"Lastimar" pertains to causing physical or emotional pain, injury, or harm to someone or something. It is a frequently used verb in both oral and written contexts in Spanish, although it may appear a bit more often in written texts due to its usage in formal contexts, such as law, medicine, or psychology.
"Lastimar" is widely used in everyday conversation when discussing feelings and physical conditions, making it quite common in oral speech as well.
No quiero lastimar tus sentimientos.
(I don’t want to hurt your feelings.)
Si sigues así, te podrías lastimar.
(If you keep that up, you could injure yourself.)
El accidente lastimó a varias personas.
(The accident injured several people.)
The word "lastimar" can be part of several idiomatic expressions in Spanish, often related to emotional or physical discomfort. Here are a few examples:
No hay que lastimar a los demás por nuestras decisiones.
(We shouldn't hurt others because of our decisions.)
Lastimarse en el trabajo puede traer consecuencias graves.
(Injuring oneself at work can lead to serious consequences.)
A veces, las palabras lastiman más que los golpes.
(Sometimes, words hurt more than blows.)
No quiero lastimarme por intentar hacer algo peligroso.
(I don’t want to injure myself by trying to do something dangerous.)
Es fácil lastimarse cuando estás distraído.
(It's easy to hurt yourself when you’re distracted.)
The verb "lastimar" comes from the Latin word "lacerare," which means "to tear" or "to mutilate," emphasizing the notion of causing damage or injury. Over time, it has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, including emotional hurt.
This comprehensive overview of "lastimar" covers essential information about its use in the Spanish language, including meanings, translations, idiomatic expressions, and etymology, while providing context for its frequency and nuances.