01
das Kopfweh
headache
Pain in the head area; another, somewhat more colloquial term for headaches.
example
Ich habe schreckliches Kopfweh und kann mich nicht konzentrieren.
I have a terrible headache and can't concentrate.
das Kopfweh
headache
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a simple compound of 'der Kopf' (head) and 'das Weh' (pain/ache). 'Das Weh' is an older word for pain that still occurs today in words like 'Heimweh' (homesickness) or 'Zahnweh' (toothache).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Flug hatte sie starkes Kopfweh.
After the long flight, she had a bad headache.
Use without an article
Similar to 'Hunger' (hunger) or 'Durst' (thirst), 'Kopfweh' (headache) is often used without an article, especially when saying that you 'have' it.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann heute nicht mitkommen, ich habe leider Kopfweh.
I can't come along today; unfortunately, I have a headache.
Register and style
'Kopfweh' (headache) is a common word in everyday life and spoken language. It often sounds a bit more personal or less medically technical.
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma klagt oft über Kopfweh, wenn das Wetter sich ändert.
My grandma often complains of headaches when the weather changes.
Typical verbs
You 'hat' Kopfweh (have a headache), 'bekommt' Kopfweh (get a headache), or 'klagt über' Kopfweh (complain of a headache). To describe the pain, you can use adjectives like 'stark' (strong/severe), 'leicht' (mild), or 'schrecklich' (terrible).
EXAMPLE
Wenn ich zu wenig trinke, bekomme ich schnell Kopfweh.
If I don't drink enough, I quickly get a headache.
Compare with
Kopfweh vs Kopfschmerz
headache
'Kopfschmerz' and 'Kopfweh' both mean pain in the head. 'Kopfschmerz' sounds somewhat more medical or neutral; it is very often used in the plural as 'Kopfschmerzen'. 'Kopfweh' is a bit more colloquial and often sounds simpler in everyday speech. In normal conversations, both are easy to understand. At the doctor's or in a more formal text, 'Kopfschmerzen' is usually more natural than 'Kopfweh'.
Kopfweh
Nach dem lauten Konzert hatte Lisa Kopfweh und wollte nach Hause.
After the loud concert, Lisa had a headache and wanted to go home.
Kopfschmerz
Beim Arzt beschreibt er seine Kopfschmerzen genau.
At the doctor's, he describes his headaches in detail.
In real life
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