Portuguese · Body & Health
"Head" in Portuguese: cabeça
a cabeça
Head in Portuguese is a cabeça, a feminine noun. A headache is dor de cabeça. Brazilians also say usar a cabeça when they mean think carefully.
Feeling unwell
Estou com dor de cabeça forte.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cabeça
Say it
kah-BEH-sah
/ka.ˈbe.sa/
kah-BEH-sah. Stress beh. The ç sounds like s.
"Head" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a cabeça | head Body part and figurative "mind." | Body part and figurative "mind." |
| dor de cabeça | headache Symptom phrase. | Symptom phrase. |
| usar a cabeça | to use your head / think Common advice idiom. | Common advice idiom. |
| cabeça dura | stubborn Literally hard head. | Literally hard head. |
| na minha cabeça | in my head / in my mind Talking about thoughts or plans. | Talking about thoughts or plans. |
How to use cabeça in real life
- 1Feeling unwell
Estou com dor de cabeça forte.
I have a strong headache.
Estar com dor de cabeça is the usual pattern.
- 2Giving advice
Usa a cabeça e lê o contrato com calma.
Use your head and read the contract calmly.
Usar a cabeça means think carefully.
- 3Describing height
A bola passou por cima da minha cabeça.
The ball went over my head.
Literal body use of cabeça.
Mistakes English speakers make with cabeça
Incorrect: O cabeça dói.
Correct: A cabeça dói. / Estou com dor de cabeça.
Cabeça is feminine: a cabeça.
Incorrect: Eu tenho headache.
Correct: Estou com dor de cabeça.
Use the Portuguese symptom phrase.
Good to know
Dor de cabeça is one of the first health phrases travelers need. Figurative uses are everywhere too: cabeça dura for stubborn people, and encher a cabeça for filling someone's mind with talk or worry.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Calling in sick to a teammate
ChatPal
Você vem à reunião? Parece cansado.
Are you coming to the meeting? You look tired.
You
Não consigo. Minha cabeça está latejando.
I can't. My head is throbbing.
ChatPal
Que chato. Dor de cabeça desde quando?
How annoying. Headache since when?
You
Desde cedo. Vou descansar a cabeça um pouco.
Since early morning. I'm going to rest my head a bit.
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 Portuguese
How do I say I have a headache?
Estou com dor de cabeça. You can add forte for a strong one.
Is cabeça feminine?
Yes: a cabeça, minha cabeça, essa cabeça.
What does cabeça dura mean?
Stubborn, literally hard-headed.
How do I say shake your head?
Balançar a cabeça. Nodding yes is often acenar com a cabeça.
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
