Italian for English speakers Townhall · Lesson 2

Symptoms 1

Express pain in Italian — Ahi, fa male (Ow, it hurts) — using fare male with the indirect: Dove ti fa male? (where does it hurt?).

Conversation

  1. Honey Honey

    Ahi, che dolore

    Ouch, it hurts

  2. Yennifer Yennifer

    Dove ti fa male?

    Where does it hurt?

  3. Honey Honey

    Mi fa male la gamba

    My leg hurts

    Tip: Mi fa male + il/lo/ la + body part = body part hurts

  4. Yennifer Yennifer

    Aspetta. Ti aiuto io

    Wait. I'm gonna help you

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How does fare male work?

Body part + fa male: mi fa male la testa = 'my head hurts'. Mi fa male = 'it hurts me'. Mi/ti/gli/le + fa/fanno + body part.

What does ahi mean?

'Ouch / ow' — Italian pain interjection. Variants: ahia, oddio, mamma mia (for stronger reactions).

Body parts that commonly hurt?

La testa (head), la schiena (back), lo stomaco (stomach), la gola (throat), l'orecchio (ear), un dente (tooth).

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