After twelve years living in Tianjin, earning HSK5, and completing Intercultural Studies coursework, I’ve learned that knowing how to describe pain in Chinese isn’t just useful-it’s essential. Whether you’re explaining symptoms to a pharmacist, calling in sick to work, or trying to get through a long train ride, knowing how to say headache in Chinese will get you the help you need.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- 头痛 (tóu tòng) is the standard Chinese word for “headache”-literally “head” + “pain.”
- Add 很 (hěn) for intensity: 很头痛 (hěn tóu tòng) means “very bad headache.”
- In Chinese medicine, headaches are categorized by location and cause, affecting treatment approach.
Basic Translation: Headache in Chinese
The most common and direct translation for “headache” in Chinese is:
头痛 (tóu tòng)
There’s also a slightly more casual version you’ll hear in everyday conversation: 头疼 (tóu téng). Both mean “headache,” but 头痛 is the formal, medical term while 头疼 is what you’d say to a friend. At the pharmacy, use 头痛. With your roommate, 头疼 is fine.
Breaking it down:
- 头 (tóu) = head
- 痛 (tòng) = pain, ache
This follows a common Chinese pattern where a body part + 痛 describes pain in that area. Similar constructions include 胃痛 (wèi tòng) for stomachache and 牙痛 (yá tòng) for toothache.
Pronunciation Breakdown
Mastering the pronunciation of 头痛 will help you communicate clearly when you need medical help:
| Character | Pinyin | Tone |
| 头 | tóu | 2nd tone (rising) |
| 痛 | tòng | 4th tone (falling) |
Pro tip: The 4th tone on 痛 should sound decisive and sharp-almost like you’re cutting the air. This tonal emphasis actually mirrors the feeling of a sudden, stabbing headache.
Common Usage Examples
Here are practical phrases you’ll actually use in China:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
| 我头痛。 | Wǒ tóu tòng. | I have a headache. |
| 我头很痛。 | Wǒ tóu hěn tòng. | I have a very bad headache. |
| 我有一点头痛。 | Wǒ yǒu yì diǎn tóu tòng. | I have a slight headache. |
| 头痛死了！ | Tóu tòng sǐ le! | My head is killing me! |
| 我头痛得厉害。 | Wǒ tóu tòng de lì hai. | My headache is severe. |
Note the word order: In Chinese, you don’t say “My head hurts.” Instead, you say “I headache” (我头痛) or “I very headache” (我头很痛). The subject + body part + pain pattern is the standard structure.
Related Vocabulary
When you’re dealing with headaches in China, you’ll need more than just 头痛. Here’s the vocabulary that will get you through a pharmacy visit or doctor’s appointment:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
| 偏头痛 | piān tóu tòng | migraine |
| 头晕 | tóu yūn | dizzy |
| 发烧 | fā shāo | fever |
| 感冒 | gǎn mào | cold / flu |
| 止痛药 | zhǐ tòng yào | painkiller |
| 药店 | yào diàn | pharmacy |
| 医院 | yī yuàn | hospital |
| 医生 | yī shēng | doctor |
If you want to learn more medical vocabulary, check out our guides on how to say pharmacy in Chinese and how to say doctor in Chinese.
Cultural Context
In traditional Chinese medicine (中医, zhōng yī), headaches aren’t treated as a single condition. They’re categorized by location and underlying cause:
- 前额头痛 (qián é tóu tòng) – forehead headache, often linked to digestive issues
- 偏头痛 (piān tóu tòng) – one-sided headache, associated with liver function
- 后脑勺痛 (hòu nǎo sháo tòng) – back-of-head pain, often tied to kidney or bladder meridians
This is why a Chinese doctor might ask you where your headache is located before prescribing treatment. The location matters as much as the symptom itself. Western medicine tends to treat the symptom; Chinese medicine treats the pattern.
You’ll also notice that Chinese people often blame headaches on “shàng huǒ” (上火)-a concept of internal heat or inflammation caused by stress, spicy food, or lack of sleep. The remedy? Herbal tea, rest, and avoiding “hot” foods like fried dishes and chili.
Advanced ways for how to say headache in Chinese sentences
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are more nuanced ways to describe headaches in Chinese:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
| 我头痛欲裂。 | Wǒ tóu tòng yù liè. | My head feels like it’s splitting. |
| 我得了偏头痛。 | Wǒ dé le piān tóu tòng. | I have migraines. |
| 睡眠不足让我头痛。 | Shuì mián bù zú ràng wǒ tóu tòng. | Lack of sleep gives me headaches. |
| 我紧张的时候头痛。 | Wǒ jǐn zhāng de shí hòu tóu tòng. | I get headaches when I’m stressed. |
| 吃这个药可以缓解头痛。 | Chī zhè ge yào kě yǐ huǎn jiě tóu tòng. | Taking this medicine can relieve headaches. |
Notice the pattern: Chinese often uses 让 (ràng, “to make/cause”) or 的时候 (de shí hòu, “when”) to connect headaches with their triggers. This is more natural than directly saying “Stress causes my headaches.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “I have a headache” in Chinese?
The most common way is 我头痛 (wǒ tóu tòng). For emphasis, say 我头很痛 (wǒ tóu hěn tòng) – “My head hurts very much.”
What’s the difference between 头痛 and 头疼?
Both mean “headache,” but 头痛 (tóu tòng) is more formal and commonly used in medical contexts. 头疼 (tóu téng) is slightly more casual and conversational. You’ll hear 头痛 at the pharmacy and 头疼 among friends.
How do Chinese people treat headaches?
Most Chinese people first try over-the-counter painkillers from the pharmacy. For recurring headaches, many turn to traditional Chinese medicine-acupuncture, herbal remedies, or cupping therapy. Rest and drinking warm water are also universal first responses.
Can I buy headache medicine at any pharmacy in China?
Yes. Pharmacies (药店, yào diàn) are everywhere in Chinese cities. You can buy basic painkillers like ibuprofen without a prescription. Just point to your head and say 头痛药 (tóu tòng yào) – “headache medicine.”
Is 头痛 used for both physical and metaphorical headaches?
Yes. Just like English, you can use 头痛 to describe a difficult problem: 这件事让我头痛 (zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ tóu tòng) – “This matter gives me a headache.”
Want to learn more essential Chinese phrases for daily life? Check out our guides on how to say appointment in Chinese, how to say stomachache in Chinese, and how to say fever in Chinese.
External sources: Preply Medical Chinese Vocabulary, MDBG Dictionary – 头痛, Sixth Tone – Traditional Chinese Medicine, Expatica – Healthcare in China
