French · Body & Health
"Head" in French: tête
la tête
Head in French is la tête, feminine, said tet. J'ai mal à la tête means I have a headache. Dans ma tête means in my head / in my mind.
Feeling unwell
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How to pronounce tête
Say it
tet
/tɛt/
Tet—short vowel like e in "bet", silent final e. The accent on ê historically marks a lost s (teste). Soft French t.
"Head" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la tête | head The body part and many idioms. | The body part and many idioms. |
| mal à la tête | headache With avoir: j'ai mal à la tête. | With avoir: j'ai mal à la tête. |
| dans la tête | in one's head Thoughts and imagination. | Thoughts and imagination. |
| en tête | in the lead / in mind Idioms: en tête du classement. | Idioms: en tête du classement. |
How to use tête in real life
- 1Feeling unwell
J'ai mal à la tête depuis ce matin.
I've had a headache since this morning.
Fixed: mal à la tête with avoir.
- 2Thinking aloud
J'ai une chanson dans la tête.
I have a song stuck in my head.
Dans la tête for mental looping.
- 3Bike safety
Mets un casque sur la tête !
Put a helmet on your head!
Literal body use.
Mistakes English speakers make with tête
Incorrect: J'ai mal à le tête.
Correct: J'ai mal à la tête.
Tête is feminine: la tête.
Incorrect: My head hurts → Ma tête fait mal. (calque)
Correct: J'ai mal à la tête.
French prefers avoir mal à + body part.
Good to know
French is rich in tête idioms: faire la tête (to sulk), perdre la tête (to lose one's head). For pain, the pattern j'ai mal à… covers tête, ventre, gorge, and more.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
A noisy café and a growing headache
ChatPal
Tu as mal à la tête ? Tu fronces les sourcils.
Do you have a headache? You're frowning.
You
Oui, j'ai vraiment mal à la tête.
Yes, I really have a headache.
ChatPal
On sort. L'air frais aide la tête.
Let's go outside. Fresh air helps the head.
You
Bonne idée. Ma tête va mieux déjà.
Good idea. My head already feels better.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Head" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Head" in French
Is tête masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la tête, ma tête, une petite tête.
How do I say I have a headache?
J'ai mal à la tête.
What does faire la tête mean?
To sulk or be in a mood.
How do you pronounce tête?
Tet, with an open è sound.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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