German · Body & Health
"Headache" in German: Kopfschmerzen
die Kopfschmerzen
Headache in German is die Kopfschmerzen, usually plural. Say Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. A shorter everyday word is das Kopfweh, same idea.
Calling in tired
Ich habe heute starke Kopfschmerzen.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Kopfschmerzen
Say it
KOPF-shmair-tsen
/ˈkɔpfˌʃmɛʁt͡sn̩/
KOPF-shmair-tsen. Soft pf. Soft sch as sh. Soft z as ts.
"Headache" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Kopfschmerzen | headache Standard plural noun. | Standard plural noun. |
| Kopfschmerzen haben | to have a headache Most common pattern. | Most common pattern. |
| starke Kopfschmerzen | a bad headache At a doctor or pharmacy. | At a doctor or pharmacy. |
| das Kopfweh | headache Shorter colloquial alternative. | Shorter colloquial alternative. |
How to use Kopfschmerzen in real life
- 1Calling in tired
Ich habe heute starke Kopfschmerzen.
I have a bad headache today.
Kopfschmerzen haben is the stock phrase.
- 2After screens
Vom vielen Scrollen bekomme ich Kopfschmerzen.
From all the scrolling I get a headache.
Bekomme Kopfschmerzen = I get a headache.
- 3Pharmacy
Haben Sie etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen?
Do you have something for a headache?
Gegen Kopfschmerzen at the counter.
Mistakes English speakers make with Kopfschmerzen
Incorrect: Ich habe ein Kopfschmerz.
Correct: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
Everyday German almost always uses the plural Kopfschmerzen.
Incorrect: der Kopfschmerzen
Correct: die Kopfschmerzen
Use die with this plural form.
Good to know
People often treat mild Kopfschmerzen themselves with rest, water, or pharmacy painkillers. For sudden severe pain or pain with fever, they go to a doctor rather than just waiting it out.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Canceling evening plans
ChatPal
Kommst du noch mit ins Kino?
Are you still coming to the movies?
You
Leider nicht. Ich habe richtig Kopfschmerzen.
Unfortunately not. I really have a headache.
ChatPal
Oh nein. Brauchst du etwas?
Oh no. Do you need anything?
You
Nur Ruhe. Die Kopfschmerzen sollen weggehen.
Just quiet. The headache should go away.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Headache" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Headache" in German
How do you say headache?
Die Kopfschmerzen (usually plural).
I have a headache?
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
Shorter word?
Das Kopfweh.
Something for a headache?
Etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen.
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
