mal di testa
masculine
The Italian phrase for headache is mal di testa.
mal di testa is used to describe a pain or ache in the head. Similar to English, it can also be used figuratively to describe an annoying or complicated situation.
Meaning: pain or ache in the head (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mal (bad/pain), di (of) and testa (head).
Which one should you use?
If you are referring to a specific medical migraine, the more precise term is emicrania.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the standard expression to say you have a headache, such as in Ho mal di testa, the phrase is used without an indefinite article, unlike the English use of 'a'.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Ho mal di testa.I have a headache.This sentence is useful for saying you have a headache using mal di testa.Tatoeba #380234 by Pharamp, translation #1712 by CK
- Ha mal di testa.He's got a headache.This sentence is useful for saying he has a headache using mal di testa.Tatoeba #479817 by Pharamp, translation #435066 by lukaszpp
- Che mal di testa!What a headache!This sentence is useful for expressing frustration at an annoying situation using mal di testa.Tatoeba #3398248 by Guybrush88, translation #4873883 by zvzuibqx
- Scusi, potrebbe consigliarmi un rimedio per il mal di testa?Excuse me, could you suggest a remedy for a headache?
- Ho un forte mal di testaI have a strong headache
- Soffro di mal di testa pulsanteI suffer from pulsating headaches
- Ho una terribile emicraniaI have a terrible migraine
- 158 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are sitting in a quiet cafe.
- LorenzoTi senti bene, Chiara?Do you feel well, Chiara?
- ChiaraNo, ho un forte mal di testa.No, I have a bad headache.
- LorenzoVuoi prendere una medicina?Do you want to take some medicine?
- ChiaraSì, grazie Lorenzo.Yes, thank you Lorenzo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “headache” translations and entries mal di testa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, testa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
