Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Headache in Spanish: Dolor De Cabeza
Dolor De Cabeza · noun · doh-LOR deh kah-BEH-sah
Dolor de cabeza is the standard Spanish expression for headache, literally meaning pain of head. Jaqueca and cefalea are used for migraines and medical contexts.
doh-LOR deh kah-BEH-sah
Tengo un dolor de cabeza terrible.
I have a terrible headache.
Headache in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for headache, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| dolor de cabeza | headache | doh-LOR deh kah-BEH-sah | Default, widely understood |
| jaqueca | headache | migraine-level headache | |
| cefalea | headache | medical term |
How Native Speakers Use Dolor De Cabeza
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Feeling unwell
No puedo ir a la fiesta, tengo un dolor de cabeza muy fuerte.
I can't go to the party, I have a really strong headache.
Canceling plans due to pain.
Asking for medicine
¿Tienes algo para el dolor de cabeza?
Do you have something for a headache?
Asking for pain relief.
Migraine
Sufre de jaquecas frecuentes desde hace años.
She has suffered from frequent migraines for years.
Describing a chronic condition.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Dolor De Cabeza
Missing preposition
Incorrect: Tengo dolor cabeza.
Correct: Tengo dolor de cabeza.
The preposition de is essential — dolor de cabeza is a fixed expression and omitting de makes it grammatically incorrect.
Using doler incorrectly
Incorrect: Mi cabeza duele.
Correct: Me duele la cabeza.
Spanish uses the impersonal construction me duele la cabeza (my head hurts me) rather than the possessive structure used in English.
Lock in Headache Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Dolor De Cabeza used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Headache in Spanish
- How do you say 'headache' in Spanish?
- The everyday phrase is dolor de cabeza, which literally translates to pain of head and is universally understood across all Spanish-speaking regions.
- What is the difference between dolor de cabeza and jaqueca?
- Dolor de cabeza is the general term for any headache, while jaqueca specifically refers to a migraine — a more intense, often recurring type of headache.
- How do you tell a pharmacist you have a headache in Spanish?
- You can say tengo dolor de cabeza, ¿qué me recomienda? which means I have a headache, what do you recommend?