How to Say ‘I hurt / I am in pain’ in French
J'ai mal
zh ay mahl
[zh ay mahl]
💬 Usage Tip: Super useful pattern: j'ai mal + body part. Literally 'I have pain'.
🇫🇷 In France: French usually says avoir mal ('to have pain') rather than using one single verb like 'to ache'.
Phrase Breakdown
J'
[zh]
I
Shortened form of je before a vowel; it means I.
J'ai mal au dos aujourd'hui.
I have back pain today.
ai
[ay]
have
Form of the verb avoir, meaning have.
J'ai mal depuis hier.
I have been in pain since yesterday.
mal
[mahl]
pain / hurting
Used to say that something hurts or that you are in pain.
J'ai mal à la gorge.
I have a sore throat.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”
Tom H., 38, Chef
“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”
Nina W., 29, Graduate Student
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer