головна́я боль
golovnája bolʹfeminine
The English word "headache" is translated into Russian as головна́я боль (golovnája bolʹ).
This phrase is a noun used to describe a pain or ache in the head.
Meaning: pain or ache in the head (noun)
Which one should you use?
While головна́я боль is the noun for "headache", Russians more commonly use the verbal construction голова болит to say "my head hurts" or "I have a headache".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase головна́я боль is a feminine noun phrase in the nominative case.
How do you pronounce it?
golovnája bolʹ
Did you know?
- If you want to describe a 'splitting headache', Russians often use the word раскалывается (splitting), but you might also hear people say their head is 'bursting' like a balloon.
- In a professional or medical setting, a doctor might ask if you have головные боли in the plural. This refers to a chronic condition or recurring episodes rather than a single instance of a headache.
- The Russian word for 'head' голова is used in dozens of idioms to describe intelligence or stubbornness. For example, to be 'without a head' без головы means to act impulsively or without thinking.
Examples in context
- У меня сильная головная боль.I have a severe headache.
- Мне нужно принять таблетку от головной боли.I need to take a headache pill.
- У меня сегодня похмелье, у меня болит голова.I have a hangover today, my head hurts.
- Я чувствую пульсацию в вискахI feel pulsation in my temples.
- У меня головна́я боль.I have a headache.
- Эта головна́я боль не проходит.Eta golovnaya bol' ne prokhodit.This headache is not going away.
- От шума может возникнуть головна́я боль.Ot shuma mozhet vozniknut' golovnaya bol'.Noise can cause a headache.
Example conversation
Maria is feeling unwell at home.
- Мария MariaАндрей, у меня ужасная головна́я боль.Andrey, u menya uzhasnaya golovnaya bol'.Andrey, I have a terrible headache.
- Андрей AndreyТебе нужно прилечь и отдохнуть.Tebe nuzhno prilech' i otdokhnut'.You need to lie down and rest.
- Мария MariaДа, я прилягу в спальне.Da, ya prilyagu v spal'ne.Yes, I will lie down in the bedroom.
- Андрей AndreyЯ принесу тебе воды и лекарство.Ya prinesu tebe vody i lekarstvo.I will bring you some water and medicine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “headache” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
