mal di denti
masculine
The English phrase toothache is expressed in Italian as mal di denti.
The term is used to describe an ache in a tooth. To express that you are experiencing this pain, use the verb avere (to have) in the phrase avere mal di denti.
Meaning: ache in a tooth (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mal (badness or pain), di (of) and denti (teeth).
Which one should you use?
You can also use the singular form mal di dente. Using the singular mal di dente specifically implies that the pain is coming from one single tooth.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the standard phrase mal di denti, the noun denti is plural even if the pain is localized to a single tooth. However, using the singular mal di dente is also grammatically correct for pinpointing a specific tooth.
Did you know?
- While mal di denti refers to a toothache, the word male is also used to describe 'evil' or 'wrongdoing' in Italian.
- In Italian, the word 'mal' is actually a shortened version of 'male', which means 'bad' or 'evil'.
- The word dente shares the same Latin root as the English word 'dentist', which is why they sound so similar.
Examples in context
- Ho mal di denti.I have toothache.This sentence shows how to use mal di denti with the verb 'avere'.Tatoeba #6955246 by Guybrush88, translation #6954573 by CK
- Ho il mal di denti.I've got a toothache.This sentence shows the use of a definite article with mal di denti.Tatoeba #395549 by Pharamp, translation #263581 by CK
- Ho un brutto mal di denti.I have a bad toothache.This sentence shows how to describe the intensity of the mal di denti.Tatoeba #3595472 by Guybrush88, translation #34695 by CK
- Ho un dolore ai denti, è molto forte. Non riesco a dormire.I have a toothache, and it's very strong. I can't sleep.
- Mi fa male il dente da qualche giorno. È un dolore pulsante. Cosa mi consigli?My tooth has been hurting for a few days. It's a throbbing pain. What do you recommend?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is telling Sofia why he cannot go to dinner.
- FrancescoNon posso uscire, ho un forte mal di denti.I can't go out, I have a bad toothache.
- SofiaOh no! Hai già chiamato il dentista?Oh no! Have you already called the dentist?
- FrancescoSì, ma il mal di denti non passa.Yes, but the toothache isn't going away.
- SofiaSpero che tu ti senta meglio presto, Francesco.I hope you feel better soon, Francesco.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toothache” translations and entries mal di denti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
