Signification
Expressing pain in the head.
Contexte culturel
Slovaks often blame 'zmena tlaku' (change in pressure) for headaches. It's a very common topic of small talk. A cold compress (studený obklad) is the most traditional home remedy mentioned alongside this phrase. In rural areas, some might jokingly suggest a small shot of 'slivovica' to cure a headache, though this is less common in modern cities. Complaining about a headache is not seen as 'weak' but rather as a factual report of one's state.
The 'Ma' Rule
Always put 'ma' right after the first word. 'Bolí ma hlava' or 'Hlava ma bolí'.
Don't say 'Ja bolím'
This is the most common mistake. Remember: The head does the hurting!
Signification
Expressing pain in the head.
The 'Ma' Rule
Always put 'ma' right after the first word. 'Bolí ma hlava' or 'Hlava ma bolí'.
Don't say 'Ja bolím'
This is the most common mistake. Remember: The head does the hurting!
Use 'z toho'
To sound more native, say 'Bolí ma z toho hlava' when something is confusing you.
Weather Talk
If you want to bond with a Slovak, blame your headache on the 'nízky tlak' (low pressure).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct pronoun (me).
Bolí ___ hlava.
The short form 'ma' is the standard accusative object for this phrase.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural Slovak sentence:
This follows the Subject (hlava) - Verb (bolí) - Object (ma) pattern.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Prečo nejdeš do kina? B: Prepáč, ________.
This is a common social excuse.
Match the phrase to the situation: 'Treští mi hlava.'
When would you say this?
'Trešťať' implies a very intense, cracking pain.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Slovak vs English Structure
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesBolí ___ hlava.
The short form 'ma' is the standard accusative object for this phrase.
Select the natural Slovak sentence:
This follows the Subject (hlava) - Verb (bolí) - Object (ma) pattern.
A: Prečo nejdeš do kina? B: Prepáč, ________.
This is a common social excuse.
When would you say this?
'Trešťať' implies a very intense, cracking pain.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, but only if you want to emphasize that *you* have the headache and not someone else.
Standard Slovak uses 'ma' (accusative). 'Mi' is used in some dialects but is not considered correct in standard speech.
Use the verb 'trešťať': 'Treští mi hlava.'
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable and the most common way to describe the symptom.
Bolela ma hlava (because 'hlava' is feminine).
Yes, it's the standard way to describe a hangover headache.
It means to be very worried or distressed, not necessarily a physical headache.
Slovak clitics (short pronouns) prefer the second position in a sentence.
Yes, it means 'You are giving me a headache' (figuratively).
Yes, 'Bolia nás hlavy' (Our heads hurt), but it sounds a bit funny unless you are a group of people with the same pain.
Hlava ma prestala bolieť.
It's the same as in English. You can say 'Mám migrénu'.
Yes, it's a very common 'polite' excuse to avoid social obligations.
Yes! Bolí ma ruka, bolí ma noha, bolí ma brucho.
Expressions liées
Bolí ma hrdlo
similarMy throat hurts
Mám migrenu
specialized formI have a migraine
Točí sa mi hlava
similarI am dizzy
Mám toho vyše hlavy
idiomaticI am overwhelmed
Hlava v smútku
idiomaticTo be worried
