đau đầu
[ʔɗaw˧˧ ʔɗəw˨˩]
In Vietnamese, headache is đau đầu.
đau đầu is a noun used to describe a pain or ache in the head.
Meaning: pain or ache in the head (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of đau (pain/ache) and đầu (head).
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you are suffering from a negative physical condition like a headache, you use the verb bị before the phrase, as in bị đau đầu. The word đau can also be used as a standalone verb meaning 'to ache' or 'to be painful'.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, đau đầu is often used metaphorically to describe a stressful or complicated problem that is 'giving someone a headache'.
- The word đầu actually displaced an older, native Vietic word, trốc, in most major dialects of the language.
- Because đầu can mean 'beginning' or 'start' as well as 'head', đau đầu can occasionally be confused with the 'start of a pain' in very specific literary contexts.
Examples in context
- Tôi bị đau đầuI have a headache.This sentence is useful for saying 'I have a headache'.Tatoeba #12556818 by thanhcona40, translation #1712 by CK
- Tôi bị đau đầu.I've got a headache.This sentence is useful for saying 'I've got a headache'.Tatoeba #9001478 by dotheduyet1999, translation #497934 by CM
- Hôm nay có hơi bị đau đầu.I have a bit of a headache today.Tatoeba #11475756 by OneJanuary, translation #9408766 by BobbyLee
- Tôi đau đầu từ sáng.I have had a headache since morning.
- Bạn có biện pháp nào để giảm đau đầu không?Do you have any remedies for relieving headaches?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, Hùng asks Lan how she is feeling.
- HùngLan ơi, em có bị đau đầu không?Lan, do you have a headache?
- LanVâng, em hơi bị đau đầu một chút.Yes, I have a slight headache.
- HùngAnh sẽ lấy cho em ít nước.I will get some water for you.
- LanEm cảm ơn anh nhiều.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry đau đầu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries đau, đau đầu, đầu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
