j'ai mal au ventre
The English phrase "my stomach hurts" can be said in French as j'ai mal au ventre.
This phrase is used to communicate that you are experiencing pain in your abdominal area.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase j'ai mal au ventre literally translates to "I have pain at the belly".
Which one should you use?
While j'ai mal au ventre refers generally to the abdominal area, j'ai mal à l'estomac is used when referring specifically to the stomach organ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express pain in a body part, French uses the construction avoir mal à followed by the body part.
Did you know?
- The word mal in this phrase shares an ancient root with the English word 'malice', both tracing back to concepts of being 'bad' or 'wrong'.
- While j'ai mal au ventre describes physical pain, the expression avoir le ventre noué describes the feeling of your stomach being in knots due to stress or anxiety.
- While ventre is the standard word for 'belly', you might hear friends use the slang term bide instead. It is much more colloquial and is often used when speaking informally.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, je suis désolé(e), mais j'ai mal au ventre. Est-ce que vous avez une pharmacie ici ?Excuse me, I'm sorry, but I have a stomachache. Is there a pharmacy around here?
- Excusez-moi docteur, mais je souffre de douleurs abdominales depuis hier.Excuse me, doctor, but I've been experiencing abdominal pain since yesterday.
- Ouf, j'ai trop mangé de gâteau… J'ai mal au bide maintenant !Phew, I ate too much cake… My stomach hurts now!
- Ça ne va pas, j'ai mangé quelque chose de pas bon. J'ai mal à l'estomac maintenant.I'm not feeling well, I ate something bad. My stomach hurts now.
- J'ai mangé trop de frites, maintenant mon ventre me fait mal.I ate too many fries, now my stomach is hurting.
- J'ai mal au ventre après le repas.My stomach hurts after the meal.
- Je ne peux pas venir, j'ai mal au ventre.I cannot come, my stomach hurts.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are at home during lunch.
- LucasLéa, je ne mange pas car j'ai mal au ventre.Léa, I'm not eating because my stomach hurts.
- LéaC'est grave ? Tu as mangé quoi ?Is it serious? What did you eat?
- LucasJe ne sais pas, j'ai juste mal au ventre.I don't know, my stomach just hurts.
- LéaRepose-toi un peu sur le canapé, Lucas.Rest a bit on the sofa, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries j'ai, mal, ventre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
