头疼
tóuténg
headache
头疼 means headache. It is one of the most straightforward symptoms to communicate in Chinese.
Example sentences
我今天头疼，不想出去。
Wǒ jīntiān tóuténg, bù xiǎng chūqù.
I have a headache today, I don't want to go out.
头疼药在桌子上。
Tóuténg yào zài zhuōzi shang.
The headache medicine is on the table.
How to use 头疼 in practice
头疼 is a health & medical item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin tóuténg, then connect it to the meaning “headache” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 我今天头疼，不想出去。 / 头疼药在桌子上。.
When you practice 头疼, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 头疼 only as “headache” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Pharmacy medicine phrases guide, start a short conversation, and use 头疼 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 头疼 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only tóuténg, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
What is the difference between 头疼 and 头痛?
They mean the same thing. 头疼 is more common in spoken Mandarin; 头痛 is slightly more formal or literary.
How can I remember 头疼 faster?
Say 头疼 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 头疼 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 头疼 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach