Ter dor de cabeça

You use ter dor de cabeça when you want to say you have a headache. It’s a verb phrase. Ter is the verb 'to have'. You conjugate ter based on who is having the headache. For example, Eu tenho dor de cabeça (I have a headache). Ele tem dor de cabeça (He has a headache). You can also use it to describe someone else’s condition. For instance, Minha mãe está com dor de cabeça (My mom is with a headache). It’s very flexible. Just remember to match the verb ter to the subject. It's like saying 'I have a cold'. It's a very natural construction in Portuguese.

Imagine you’re texting a friend. You might say: Não posso sair hoje, estou com dor de cabeça. (I can't go out today, I have a headache.) Or maybe you're at work. Your boss asks if you're okay. You reply: Eu tenho dor de cabeça, mas posso continuar trabalhando. (I have a headache, but I can keep working.) At home, you might tell your partner: Preciso de silêncio, estou com uma dor de cabeça terrível. (I need silence, I have a terrible headache.) Even on a dating app, someone might mention it: Primeiro encontro! Espero não ter dor de cabeça depois disso. (First date! Hope I don't get a headache afterwards.) It pops up everywhere!

Use ter dor de cabeça anytime your head is actually hurting. This is the most natural way to say it. If you feel that throbbing, pounding, or aching sensation in your head, this is your phrase. It works for mild discomfort. It also works for more severe pain. You can use it in casual chats with friends. You can use it in more formal settings too, like explaining why you need to leave a meeting early. It’s a straightforward and universally understood expression of pain.

Don't use ter dor de cabeça for other types of pain. It’s specifically for your head. If your stomach hurts, you wouldn't say ter dor de cabeça. You'd say ter dor de estômago (stomachache). Also, avoid using it metaphorically unless you're being very clear. While 'headache' can mean 'a nuisance' in English, dor de cabeça in Portuguese usually refers to the physical pain. So, if something is just annoying, you might use other words. Don't say you have a headache when you're just tired or bored. It's meant for actual head pain. It’s not a substitute for a bad mood!

One common mistake is trying to translate 'headache' directly as a single noun. Portuguese uses a phrase. So, saying Eu tenho uma dor de cabeça is correct, but often people simplify it. Another mistake is using the wrong verb. While ter is most common, sometimes people might try to use sentir (to feel). Eu sinto dor de cabeça is also correct, but ter is more frequent. A big no-no is using dores de cabeça (plural) when you mean one headache. It’s like saying 'I have pains of head'. Stick to the singular dor de cabeça unless you mean multiple, distinct headaches.

While ter dor de cabeça is the most common, you might hear variations. Estar com dor de cabeça is very similar and almost interchangeable. It means 'to be with a headache'. It emphasizes the state of having the headache. For example, Estou com dor de cabeça hoje. (I am with a headache today.) It's a subtle difference, mostly regional or personal preference. Think of it like saying 'I have a headache' versus 'I'm having a headache'. Both get the point across clearly. It's good to know both!

Sometimes, people add adjectives to describe the headache. Ter uma dor de cabeça forte (to have a strong headache). Or Ter uma dor de cabeça leve (to have a mild headache). You might also hear dor de cabeça latejante (throbbing headache) or dor de cabeça enxaqueca (migraine). These add more detail. The core phrase ter dor de cabeça remains the same. It's like adding 'bad' or 'terrible' to 'headache' in English. It just specifies the intensity or type. It’s all about adding flavor!