How to Say "My Back Hurts" in French

j'ai mal au dos

To say "my back hurts" in French, use j'ai mal au dos.

This phrase is used to express physical pain located in the back area of the body.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase j'ai mal au dos literally translates to "I have pain at the back".

In Canadian French, the phrase J'ai mal dans le dos is used instead of j'ai mal au dos.

If the pain is located specifically in the lower back or kidney area, you should use the plural form j'ai mal aux reins instead of j'ai mal au dos.

The word dos comes from the Latin word dorsum, which is the same root found in the English word 'dorsal', often used to describe parts of the body like the dorsal fin of a fish.
In French, the word mal functions as both 'pain' and 'badly'. This allows it to be used in expressions for physical suffering and moral or social illness.
Because the phrase uses avoir mal (to have pain), you must change the verb to match the person, such as tu as mal au dos for 'your back hurts'.

Docteur, j'ai mal au dos.
Doctor, my back hurts.
This example shows how to address a doctor using j'ai mal au dos.
Tatoeba #11268057 by lbdx, translation #11256776 by carlosalberto
J'ai mal au dos du fait que je sois assis de longues heures devant l'ordinateur.
My back hurts from sitting for hours in front of the computer.
This sentence is useful for explaining that the back pain is caused by sitting at a computer for long periods using j'ai mal au dos.
Tatoeba #5488105 by alexisslay, translation #5491806 by Akenaseryan
J'ai mal au dos.
My back hurts.
This is a simple way to state that j'ai mal au dos.
Tatoeba #881872 by alexmarcelo, translation #881871 by CK
Madame, excusez-moi, mais j'ai mal au dos.
Excuse me, madam, but my back hurts.
Ça va, Philippe? J'ai mal au dos après mon déménagement.
How are you, Philippe? My back hurts after moving.
Salut, Sophie! Est-ce que ça te dérange si nous reportons notre partie de tennis? J'ai le dos douloureux aujourd'hui.
Hi, Sophie! Would you mind if we postpone our tennis game? I have a painful back today.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Gabriel and Emma are walking through a museum.

Gabriel

On fait une pause ? J'ai mal au dos.
Shall we take a break? My back hurts.
Emma

Oh, je suis désolée, Gabriel.
Oh, I'm sorry, Gabriel.
Gabriel

Ce sac est vraiment trop lourd.
This bag is really too heavy.
Emma

Pose-le par terre pour te reposer.
Put it on the ground to rest.

Sources

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