Ho mal di testa
I have a headache
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The standard Italian way to say you have a headache using the verb 'avere' (to have).
- Means: 'I have a headache' literally 'I have evil of head'.
- Used in: Medical contexts, social excuses, or general complaints.
- Don't confuse: Avoid adding 'un' (a) unless you're describing the specific type.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
Reporting a physical ailment.
문화적 배경
The 'Colpo d'aria' is a widely held belief that a sudden draft of cold air causes headaches and neck pain. You will see Italians wearing scarves even in mild weather to prevent this. Pharmacists in Italy (farmacisti) are highly trusted and often act as a first point of medical contact for 'mal di testa' before a doctor is seen. The term 'La Cervicale' is often used interchangeably with 'mal di testa' if the pain is at the base of the skull, reflecting a national obsession with spinal health. Coffee is often seen as a cure for a mild headache in Italy, especially if taken with a bit of lemon juice (a traditional 'rimedio della nonna').
Drop the 'un'
Remember: 'Ho mal di testa', not 'Ho un mal di testa'. It's a very common beginner mistake!
Silent H
Never pronounce the 'H' in 'Ho'. It is purely a visual marker to distinguish it from 'o' (or).
뜻
Reporting a physical ailment.
Drop the 'un'
Remember: 'Ho mal di testa', not 'Ho un mal di testa'. It's a very common beginner mistake!
Silent H
Never pronounce the 'H' in 'Ho'. It is purely a visual marker to distinguish it from 'o' (or).
The 'Colpo d'aria'
If you mention a headache, expect an Italian to tell you to close the window!
셀프 테스트
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'avere'.
Io ___ mal di testa.
The subject 'Io' (I) requires the first-person singular form 'ho'.
Which is the most natural way to say you have a headache in Italian?
Come si dice 'I have a headache'?
'Ho mal di testa' is the standard fixed phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Perché non vieni al cinema? B: Mi dispiace, ___ mal di testa.
We use 'avere' to report the ailment.
Match the Italian phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are standard translations for different intensities.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Avere vs Fare Male
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It's grammatically okay but sounds like a translation from English. 'Mi fa male la testa' is much more natural.
It's a shortened form of 'male' (pain/evil) used specifically in these health phrases.
You say 'Ho l'emicrania'. Note that this one *does* use an article.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
You can say 'Ho la testa pesante'.
No, 'Ho' already tells us it's 'I'. Italians usually drop the pronoun.
Yes, but 'Ho i postumi' is more specific for a hangover.
In these fixed phrases for ailments, we use the simple preposition 'di' without an article.
It's the medical term for headache. You'll see it on medicine boxes.
Yes, 'Ho spesso mal di testa' (I often have headaches) uses the singular for the general condition, but you can say 'I miei mal di testa sono forti'.
관련 표현
Mal di pancia
similarStomach ache
Mal di gola
similarSore throat
Mal di schiena
similarBack ache
Mi fa male...
builds onIt hurts me...
Emicrania
specialized formMigraine
어디서 쓸까?
At the Pharmacy
Learner: Buongiorno, ho mal di testa. Cosa mi consiglia?
Pharmacist: Prenda questo paracetamolo, è molto efficace.
In the Office
Colleague: Vuoi un caffè?
Learner: No grazie, ho un forte mal di testa oggi.
On a Date
Partner: Andiamo in discoteca?
Learner: Mi dispiace, mi è venuto mal di testa. Possiamo restare a casa?
With a Doctor
Doctor: Qual è il problema?
Learner: Ho mal di testa da tre giorni e mi sento stanco.
At Home
Mother: Perché non mangi?
Child: Ho troppo mal di testa, mamma.
In a Loud Environment
Friend: Ti piace questa musica?
Learner: È troppo alta, mi fa venire mal di testa!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'HO' as 'Home'. When you have a headache, you want to go HO-me and rest your head (TESTA).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant earthenware pot (Latin 'testa') sitting on your shoulders instead of a head, and it has a large crack in it representing the pain.
Rhyme
Se hai mal di testa, non andare alla festa.
Story
A man named Mario (Mal) is knocking on your head (Testa). You tell your friend, 'I have Mario at the head' (Ho Mal di Testa).
Word Web
챌린지
Next time you feel even a tiny bit tired, say out loud: 'Ho un po' di mal di testa'.
In Other Languages
Tengo dolor de cabeza
Italian uses 'mal' instead of 'dolore'.
J'ai mal à la tête
French requires 'à la' whereas Italian uses 'di'.
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen
German uses a compound noun 'Kopfschmerzen'.
頭が痛い (Atama ga itai)
Japanese describes the head as being painful rather than 'having' pain.
عندي صداع (Indi suda')
Arabic uses a specific single word 'suda' for headache.
我头痛 (Wǒ tóutòng)
Chinese is much more telegraphic and lacks the 'of' connection.
머리가 아파요 (Meoriga apayo)
Korean uses the verb 'apada' (to hurt/be painful).
Estou com dor de cabeça
Portuguese prefers the 'to be with' construction for temporary states.
Easily Confused
Learners might use 'capo' instead of 'testa'.
While 'capo' means head, 'mal di testa' is the only standard way to say headache.
Learners might try to say 'mind ache' for mental fatigue.
'Mal di mente' does not exist in Italian. Use 'Sono stanco mentalmente'.
자주 묻는 질문 (10)
It's grammatically okay but sounds like a translation from English. 'Mi fa male la testa' is much more natural.
It's a shortened form of 'male' (pain/evil) used specifically in these health phrases.
You say 'Ho l'emicrania'. Note that this one *does* use an article.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
You can say 'Ho la testa pesante'.
No, 'Ho' already tells us it's 'I'. Italians usually drop the pronoun.
Yes, but 'Ho i postumi' is more specific for a hangover.
In these fixed phrases for ailments, we use the simple preposition 'di' without an article.
It's the medical term for headache. You'll see it on medicine boxes.
Yes, 'Ho spesso mal di testa' (I often have headaches) uses the singular for the general condition, but you can say 'I miei mal di testa sono forti'.
