maux de tête
The English phrase 'headaches' is translated into French as maux de tête.
maux de tête is the standard way to refer to pain in the head. While this is a noun phrase, the most common way to express the sensation of having a headache is by using the verbal idiom avoir mal à la tête.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase maux de tête literally means 'aches of head'. It is composed of the plural of mal (pain or ache) and tête (head).
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is un mal de tête. Even when referring to multiple headaches in the plural form maux de tête, the word tête remains singular.
Did you know?
- The word tête comes from the Latin word 'testa', which meant 'pot' or 'brick'. This implies that the head was historically compared to a hard ceramic vessel.
- While tête is now the standard word for head, the older word chef was once used. Today, chef is still found in specific expressions and as the word for a 'boss'.
- In French, you can use the word mal to describe both a physical pain like maux de tête and an abstract evil or misfortune.
Examples in context
- Tom souffre de maux de tête.Tom suffers from headaches.This sentence shows how to use maux de tête to describe suffering from a condition.Tatoeba #7007442 by felix63, translation #7010533 by Eccles17
- J'ai des maux de tête par-ci par-làI get headaches now and then.This sentence uses maux de tête to express experiencing pain occasionally.Tatoeba #13938501 by Pony, translation #11053801 by sundown
- Je ne supporte pas les maux de têtes.I cannot stand headaches.This sentence uses maux de tête to express an inability to tolerate the pain.Tatoeba #890885 by U2FS, translation #259704 by U2FS
- Hier, j'ai eu de terribles maux de tête.Yesterday, I had terrible headaches.
- J'ai un mal de tête affreux, je ne peux pas sortir ce soir.I have a horrible headache, I can't go out tonight.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a living room during a rainy afternoon.
- ChloéTu as des maux de tête ?Do you have headaches?
- HugoOui, j'ai de gros maux de tête aujourd'hui.Yes, I have bad headaches today.
- ChloéTu veux un peu d'aspirine ?Do you want some aspirin?
- HugoMerci, ça m'aiderait beaucoup.Thanks, that would help a lot.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, tête, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
