migraine
/mi.ɡʁɛn/feminine
The English phrase migraine is translated into French as migraine.
A migraine is a type of headache that usually affects only one side of the head. To say that you are experiencing one, you use the expression avoir une migraine.
Meaning: headache usually affecting only one side of the head (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so it is used with the feminine indefinite article une as in une migraine.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi.ɡʁɛn/
Did you know?
- The French word migraine is an example of a 'loanword' that English took directly from French, rather than English inventing its own term.
- In French, while migraine is the medical term, people often use mal de tête for any headache, but using migraine specifically signals a more severe, debilitating event.
- While avoir une migraine describes the condition, French speakers might say j'ai la migraine to describe a recurring or familiar state of suffering.
Examples in context
- Tom a une migraine.Tom has a migraine headache.This sentence is useful for saying that someone has a migraine.Tatoeba #6820813 by Rockaround, translation #6662069 by CK
- Dan souffrait d'une céphalée migraineuse.Dan was suffering a migraine headache.This sentence shows the use of the technical term for a migraine.Tatoeba #4009350 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4009296 by Amastan
- J'ai une migraine.I have a migraine.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have a migraine.Tatoeba #7438053 by Aiji, translation #320325 by CK
- Hier, j'ai été terrassé par une migraine.Yesterday, I was struck down by a migraine.
- Les céphalées migraineuses peuvent parfois être handicapantes.Migraine headaches can sometimes be disabling.
- Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir, j'ai une migraine.I can't go out tonight, I have a migraine.
- J'ai souvent des migraines.I often have migraines.
- Ma migraine s'accompagne de nausées.My migraine is accompanied by nausea.
- Prends une aspirine pour soulager ta migraine.Take an aspirin to relieve your migraine.
Example conversation
Manon is resting in a dark room while Nathan checks on her.
- ManonJe ne peux pas bouger, j'ai une migraine.I can't move, I have a migraine.
- NathanEst-ce que je peux t'apporter des médicaments, Manon ?Can I bring you some medicine, Manon?
- ManonOui, s'il te plaît, Nathan.Yes, please, Nathan.
- NathanJe reviens tout de suite.I'll be right back.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “migraine” translations and entries migraine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
