Italian · Body & Health
"Headache" in Italian: mal di testa
il mal di testa
Headache in Italian is il mal di testa (mahl dee TES-tah). You say ho mal di testa when your head hurts. It is a fixed phrase—keep all three words together.
Calling in sick-ish
Oggi ho mal di testa e resto a casa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce mal di testa
Say it
mahl dee TES-tah
/mal di ˈtɛs.ta/
Mal is mahl. Di is dee. Testa stresses TES: TES-tah.
"Headache" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il mal di testa | the headache Default phrase. | Default phrase. |
| ho mal di testa | I have a headache Most common line. | Most common line. |
| un forte mal di testa | a bad headache Intensity. | Intensity. |
| mi è passato il mal di testa | my headache went away Recovery. | Recovery. |
How to use mal di testa in real life
- 1Calling in sick-ish
Oggi ho mal di testa e resto a casa.
Today I have a headache and I'm staying home.
Ho mal di testa.
- 2Pharmacy
Cercavo qualcosa per il mal di testa.
I was looking for something for the headache.
Per il mal di testa.
- 3After screens
Troppo telefono mi dà mal di testa.
Too much phone gives me a headache.
Dà mal di testa.
Mistakes English speakers make with mal di testa
Incorrect: Ho un ache di testa.
Correct: Ho mal di testa.
Use the set phrase mal di testa.
Incorrect: Ho male di testa forte.
Correct: Ho un forte mal di testa.
Keep mal di testa together.
Good to know
Mal di testa is an accepted soft reason to cancel plans. Pharmacists hear it all day and often ask if it is tension, sinus, or migraine-like before suggesting anything.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Skipping a noisy dinner
ChatPal
Vieni stasera? O hai ancora mal di testa?
Are you coming tonight? Or do you still have a headache?
You
Sì, ho mal di testa: meglio riposare.
Yes, I have a headache: better to rest.
ChatPal
Ok, ti porto una tisana domani.
Ok, I'll bring you a herbal tea tomorrow.
You
Grazie. Se passa il mal di testa, ti scrivo.
Thanks. If the headache goes away, I'll write you.
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 Italian
How do I say I have a headache?
Ho mal di testa.
Is it one word?
No—three words: mal di testa.
Strong headache?
Un forte mal di testa.
Headache vs pain?
Mal di testa is specific; dolore is general pain.
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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- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
