Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dolor de cabeza | /doˌloɾ de kaˈbeθa/ /doˌloɾ de kaˈbesa/ |
masculine |
| cefalea | /θefaˈlea/ /sefaˈlea/ |
feminine |
| jaqueca | /xaˈkeka/ | feminine |
| dolor capital | /doloɾ kapital/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| cefalalgia | /θefalalxja/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sefalalxja/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The term refers to pain or an ache in the head. You can describe the intensity or nature of the pain by adding adjectives to dolor de cabeza, such as dolor de cabeza leve (mild headache), dolor de cabeza moderado (moderate headache), dolor de cabeza intenso (intense headache), dolor de cabeza pulsante (throbbing headache) or dolor de cabeza persistente (persistent headache).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dolor de cabeza is composed of dolor (pain) and de cabeza (of head).
Which one should you use?
Dolor de cabeza is the standard, everyday way to say headache. Jaqueca is a more specific term often used to refer to a severe or throbbing headache, similar to a migraine. Cefalea is a technical or medical term for headache.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you have a headache, use the verb tener (to have) rather than ser (to be). To say that something is causing a headache, use the verb dar (to give), as in Eso me da dolor de cabeza (That gives me a headache).
How do you pronounce it?
/doˌloɾ de kaˈbeθa/
Did you know?
- The word jaqueca comes from the Arabic word šaqīqa, meaning 'split'.
- In Spanish, a person who is a nuisance or a source of constant trouble is often described as ser un dolor de cabeza.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people may use the phrase me estalla la cabeza (my head is exploding) to describe an intense dolor de cabeza.
Examples in context
- Eso me da dolor de cabeza!That gives me a headache!This sentence is useful for expressing that something is causing a headache using dolor de cabeza.Tatoeba #4737524 by DarkHollow, translation #43742 by CK
- María tiene dolor de cabeza.Mary has a headache.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has a headache using dolor de cabeza.Tatoeba #1421602 by hayastan, translation #1400445 by Spamster
- Ya no tengo dolor de cabeza.I no longer have a headache.This sentence is useful for stating that a headache has gone away using dolor de cabeza.Tatoeba #1520580 by marcelostockle, translation #1520317 by ashalynd
- Lamentablemente, tengo un dolor de cabeza muy intenso.Unfortunately, I have a very intense headache.
- Estoy sufriendo una jaqueca terrible.I'm suffering from a terrible headache.
- Me duele la cabeza, creo que tengo una cefalea.My head hurts, I think I have a headache.
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking in their living room.
- MaríaDaniel, tengo un dolor de cabeza terrible.Daniel, I have a terrible headache.
- Daniel¿Quieres que te traiga una aspirina, María?Do you want me to bring you an aspirin, María?
- MaríaSí, por favor, necesito descansar.Yes, please, I need to rest.
- DanielEstaré en la cocina si necesitas algo.I will be in the kitchen if you need anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “headache” translations and entries dolor de cabeza, cefalea, jaqueca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabeza, capital, cefalea, de, dolor, jaqueca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
