j'ai mal à la gorge
The English phrase "I have a sore throat" is translated into French as j'ai mal à la gorge.
This phrase is used to express that the inside of your neck feels painful or irritated.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of j'ai (I have), mal (pain/hurt), à la (at the) and gorge (throat).
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression uses the construction avoir mal à (to have pain at) followed by the body part.
Did you know?
- To describe a 'frog in your throat' or a hoarse voice, French speakers use the expression avoir un chat dans la gorge, which literally means 'to have a cat in the throat'.
- The word gorge shares its roots with the Latin word for a 'whirlpool' or 'abyss', suggesting the throat was once viewed as a deep, swirling vortex in the body.
- When a French person says they have a gorge nouée, they aren't talking about a physical illness but a feeling of sadness or anxiety that makes it hard to speak.
Examples in context
- J'ai mal à la gorge et de la fièvre.I have a sore throat and a fever.This sentence shows how to mention having a sore throat alongside a fever.Tatoeba #3258927 by Aiji, translation #3258928 by CK
- J'ai mal à la gorge. Avez-vous une pastille pour la toux ?I have a sore throat. Do you have a cough drop?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a cough drop because you have a sore throat.Tatoeba #1300427 by sacredceltic, translation #1300315 by CK
- Je vais prendre deux aspirines avant de me coucher parce que j'ai mal à la gorge.I'm going to take two aspirins before going to bed because I have a sore throat.This sentence explains that you are taking aspirin due to having a sore throat.Tatoeba #3259009 by nimfeo, translation #3259010 by sundown
- J'ai mal à la gorge depuis hier.I have had a sore throat since yesterday.
- J'ai une douleur dans la gorge quand je déglutis.I have pain in the throat when I swallow.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon tells Gabriel why she cannot go to the party.
- ManonJe ne peux pas venir, j'ai mal à la gorge.I cannot come, I have a sore throat.
- GabrielC'est dommage. Tu as d'autres symptômes ?That's a shame. Do you have other symptoms?
- ManonNon, mais j'ai mal à la gorge depuis ce matin.No, but I've had a sore throat since this morning.
- GabrielRepose-toi bien, Manon.Get some good rest, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gorge, j'ai, la, mal, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
