raffreddore di testa
/raf.fredˈdo.re di ˈtɛs.ta/word by word
The English phrase head cold is translated into Italian as raffreddore di testa.
raffreddore di testa refers to a common cold that primarily causes congestion in the sinuses and the head.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 6 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word testa used in this phrase comes from the Latin word for an 'earthen pot'. Over time, the word evolved from meaning a ceramic vessel to describing the skull and finally the head.
- In Italy, if someone has a raffreddore, they might be advised to take a suffumigio, which is a traditional steam inhalation treatment over a bowl of hot water.
- If you want to say you have a 'head cold' in a more colloquial way, you might simply say ho il naso chiuso, which literally means 'my nose is closed'.
Examples in context
- Ho preso un raffreddore.I caught a head cold.
- Ho un raffreddore molto intenso.I have a very intense head cold.
- Ho bisogno di un antidolorifico per il mal di testa causato dal raffreddore.I need a painkiller for the headache caused by the head cold.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are talking at the office.
- ChiaraAlessandro, sembri stanco oggi.Alessandro, you look tired today.
- AlessandroSì, ho preso un raffreddore di testa.Yes, I've caught a head cold.
- ChiaraVuoi un tè caldo?Do you want some hot tea?
- AlessandroSarebbe perfetto, grazie Chiara.That would be perfect, thanks Chiara.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (raffreddore, di, testa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, raffreddore, testa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
