Expressing Pain in Italian
In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about aches and pains. The most common way to say that a part of your body hurts is by using the phrase mi fa male (it hurts me / my ... hurts).
The Formula
- Mi fa male + singular body part (e.g., la testa) becomes Mi fa male la testa (My head hurts).
- Mi fanno male + plural body part (e.g., i denti) becomes Mi fanno male i denti (My teeth hurt).
Examples
- Mi fa male la stomaco. – My stomach hurts.
- Ho la febbre. – I have a fever.
Common Mistakes
Don't forget to use the correct article (il, la, i, le) before the body part! Say mi fa male la testa, not just mi fa male testa.
Words
la testa
head
Mi fa male la testa.My head hurts.
lo stomaco
stomach
Ho mal di stomaco.I have a stomachache.
la schiena
back
Mi fa male la schiena.My back hurts.
la gola
throat
Ho mal di gola oggi.I have a sore throat today.
la febbre
fever
Penso di avere la febbre.I think I have a fever.
la farmacia
pharmacy
Dov'è la farmacia?Where is the pharmacy?
la medicina
medicine
Prendo la medicina.I am taking the medicine.
stanco
tired
Oggi sono molto stanco.Today I am very tired.
Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.
Patterns
Mi fa male ___
My [singular body part] hurts
Mi fa male la testa.My head hurts.
Ho mal di ___
I have a [body part]ache / a sore [body part]
Ho mal di gola.I have a sore throat.
Mi fanno male ___
My [plural body part] hurt
Mi fanno male i denti.My teeth hurt.