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How to Say ‘I have a backache’ in Italian

Ho mal di schiena

oh mahl dee SKYEH-nah

[oh mahl dee SKYEH-nah]

💬 Usage Tip: mal di plus a body part gives any ache. Try mal di testa "headache" or mal di denti "toothache".

Phrase Breakdown

Ho mal

oh mahl

I have pain

The h in 'ho' is silent: 'oh'. 'Mal' is short for 'male' (ache). Say 'oh MAHL'.

Example

Ho mal di testa.

I have a headache.

Words in this phrase

[oh]

I have

First person singular of avere, used with a past participle to form the present perfect.

Example

Ho parlato con tre aziende oggi.

I have spoken with three companies today.

mal

[mahl]

pain

An unpleasant sensation indicating harm or discomfort.

Example

Ho un mal di testa.

I have a headache.

di schiena

dee SKYEH-nah

in my back

'Sch' sounds like 'sk': 'dee SKYEH-nah'. 'Mal di' + body part names an ache.

Example

Il dolore di schiena è forte.

The back pain is strong.

Words in this phrase

[dee]

Preposition linking nouns, often translated as of.

Example

Che tipo di ruolo è disponibile?

What kind of role is available?

schiena

[SKYEH-nah]

back

The rear surface of the human body.

Example

Avrà qualcosa di scritto sulla schiena.

He will have something written on his back.

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