In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say your head hurts in German.
- Uses the plural 'Schmerzen' and requires no indefinite article.
- Appropriate for both professional and personal health conversations.
Meaning
This is the most common way to say your head hurts. It is exactly like saying 'I have a headache' in English when you feel physical pain or pressure in your skull.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining why you are leaving a party
Ich gehe jetzt nach Hause, ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
I'm going home now, I have a headache.
At the pharmacy
Haben Sie etwas gegen starke Kopfschmerzen?
Do you have something for strong headaches?
Texting a friend to cancel
Kann heute nicht kommen, hab total Kopfschmerzen.
Can't come today, have a total headache.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Wetterfühligkeit' is very strong. Germans often blame headaches on changes in air pressure or the wind. In Austria, 'Kopfweh' is often preferred over 'Kopfschmerzen' in daily conversation, sounding slightly softer. Swiss German speakers might use 'Chopfweh'. The 'Föhn' wind in the Alps is a legendary cause of headaches here. Stating you have a headache is a valid reason to take a 'short break' or 'Lüften' (air out the room), which is a German obsession.
Always Plural
Even if you only feel pain in one spot, always use the plural 'Kopfschmerzen'.
No Article
Don't say 'einen Kopfschmerz'. Just say 'Ich habe Kopfschmerzen'.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say your head hurts in German.
- Uses the plural 'Schmerzen' and requires no indefinite article.
- Appropriate for both professional and personal health conversations.
What It Means
Kopfschmerzen haben is your basic, everyday phrase for physical head pain. It combines Kopf (head) and Schmerzen (pains). In German, we usually use the plural form Schmerzen. It is straightforward and honest. You are telling someone exactly what is wrong with you.
How To Use It
You just need to conjugate the verb haben. For example, ich habe, du hast, or er hat. You do not usually need an article like 'a' in English. You simply say Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. If the pain is really bad, add an adjective. You might say Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen. It is very flexible and easy to plug into sentences.
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever your head actually hurts. Use it at the doctor's office to describe symptoms. Use it with your boss if you need to leave early. It is perfect for texting a friend to cancel plans. You can even use it at a loud concert. It works in almost every situation where you feel unwell. It is a very safe and common expression.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for metaphorical problems. In English, a difficult project is a 'headache'. In German, that is usually Kopfzerbrechen or just ein Problem. Avoid using it if you just have a tiny itch. It implies actual aching or throbbing. Also, do not use it to describe a hangover specifically. For that, Germans often say einen Kater haben. Using Kopfschmerzen for a hangover is okay, but less specific.
Cultural Background
Germans are often quite direct about their health. If they feel unwell, they will tell you. Health is seen as a practical matter. There is no stigma in saying you have a headache. In some cultures, people hide minor pains. In Germany, it is a valid reason to rest. You might find people suggesting frische Luft (fresh air) immediately. It is the national cure-all for any head pain!
Common Variations
You can say mein Kopf tut weh for 'my head hurts'. If it is a migraine, use ich habe Migräne. For a really heavy, throbbing head, use einen Brummschädel haben. That literally means having a 'humming skull'. It sounds much more dramatic and painful. Use it after a very long, loud day at work.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral and safe for all contexts. Remember that 'Schmerzen' is plural, so any adjectives must have plural endings (e.g., 'starke Kopfschmerzen').
Always Plural
Even if you only feel pain in one spot, always use the plural 'Kopfschmerzen'.
No Article
Don't say 'einen Kopfschmerz'. Just say 'Ich habe Kopfschmerzen'.
Use 'Gegen'
When looking for medicine, use the preposition 'gegen' (against). 'Tabletten gegen Kopfschmerzen'.
Examples
6Ich gehe jetzt nach Hause, ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
I'm going home now, I have a headache.
A simple, polite way to excuse yourself from a social event.
Haben Sie etwas gegen starke Kopfschmerzen?
Do you have something for strong headaches?
A standard question when looking for over-the-counter medication.
Kann heute nicht kommen, hab total Kopfschmerzen.
Can't come today, have a total headache.
Shortened 'hab' is very common in informal texting.
Entschuldigen Sie, ich habe furchtbare Kopfschmerzen und muss mich kurz setzen.
Excuse me, I have a terrible headache and need to sit down for a moment.
Using 'furchtbare' (terrible) emphasizes the severity in a formal way.
Die Musik ist so laut, ich bekomme davon Kopfschmerzen!
The music is so loud, I'm getting a headache from it!
Using 'bekommen' (to get) shows the cause of the pain.
Der Tag war so stressig, ich habe nur noch Kopfschmerzen.
The day was so stressful, I just have a headache now.
Expresses exhaustion and physical discomfort to a loved one.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'haben' and the word 'Kopfschmerzen'.
Ich kann nicht kommen. Ich ______ ______.
The subject 'Ich' requires the verb form 'habe', and the phrase uses the plural 'Kopfschmerzen'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you have a headache?
A: Mein Kopf schmerzt sehr. B: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. C: Ich habe einen Kopfschmerz.
B is the standard, most common collocation in German.
Complete the dialogue at the pharmacy.
Kunde: Guten Tag, haben Sie etwas ______ Kopfschmerzen? Apotheker: Ja, diese Tabletten sind sehr gut.
In German, you take medicine 'gegen' (against) an illness.
Match the phrase to the situation: 'Dieser Bericht macht mir Kopfschmerzen.'
In which situation would you say this?
This is the figurative use of the phrase, meaning something is causing stress or mental effort.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Headache Intensity
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch kann nicht kommen. Ich ______ ______.
The subject 'Ich' requires the verb form 'habe', and the phrase uses the plural 'Kopfschmerzen'.
A: Mein Kopf schmerzt sehr. B: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. C: Ich habe einen Kopfschmerz.
B is the standard, most common collocation in German.
Kunde: Guten Tag, haben Sie etwas ______ Kopfschmerzen? Apotheker: Ja, diese Tabletten sind sehr gut.
In German, you take medicine 'gegen' (against) an illness.
In which situation would you say this?
This is the figurative use of the phrase, meaning something is causing stress or mental effort.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'Kopfweh' is very common and slightly more informal. It's perfectly fine in most situations.
It's a linguistic convention in German. We think of it as multiple 'pains' occurring in the head.
It is plural, so the article is 'die'. Singular is '{der|m} Kopfschmerz', but it's rarely used.
Use the verb 'bekommen': 'Ich bekomme Kopfschmerzen.'
It's a slangy way to describe a heavy, throbbing headache, often from a hangover.
Yes, 'Wetterfühligkeit' is a widely accepted concept in German-speaking countries.
You can, but 'Migräne' is more specific. If it's a migraine, say 'Ich habe eine Migräne'.
'Kopfschmerzen' is physical pain; 'Kopfzerbrechen' is mental worry.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Say: 'Haben Sie etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen?'
Related Phrases
Kopfweh haben
synonymTo have a headache (informal)
einen Brummschädel haben
similarTo have a throbbing headache
Kopfzerbrechen bereiten
builds onTo cause worry
Migräne haben
specialized formTo have a migraine
weh tun
similarTo hurt
