How to say 'I have a headache' in Castilian Spanish

Me duele la cabeza

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Local Usage

The Local Way to Say It

In Madrid, when a headache strikes, you'll almost always hear people say "Me duele la cabeza". It's the most natural, idiomatic way to express this common ailment. Instead of thinking "I have pain in my head," Madrileños intuitively use the verb doler (to hurt), which literally translates to "My head hurts me." It's direct, concise, and universally understood from the Gran Vía to the Mercado de San Miguel.

Here are a couple of examples you'll hear daily:
"No puedo ir al concierto esta noche, me duele la cabeza." (I can't go to the concert tonight, I have a headache.)
"¿Necesitas algo? Parece que te duele la cabeza." (Do you need anything? It looks like you have a headache.)
"Después de estudiar tanto, me duele la cabeza." (After studying so much, I have a headache.)
Grammar

The 'Grammar Math'

The verb doler (to hurt) works just like gustar (to like). It focuses on the thing causing the sensation, not the person experiencing it as the subject. Think of it as: "[The body part] hurts [to me/you/him/her/us/them]."

Here’s the simple formula for expressing pain with doler:
Indirect Object Pronoun + doler (conjugated) + Definite Article + Body Part(s)

Quick-reference:
Me duele la cabeza. (My head hurts me / I have a headache.)
Te duele el estómago. (Your stomach hurts you / You have a stomach ache.)
Le duelen los pies. (His/Her feet hurt him/her / He/She has sore feet.)
Nos duele la espalda. (Our back hurts us / We have a backache.)

Remember to use duele for singular body parts and duelen for plural ones.
Madrid Life

Madrid Context

Imagine you've just spent a glorious but exhausting day exploring the Prado Museum, followed by navigating the bustling crowds of the Rastro market in La Latina. Or perhaps you had a bit too much fun (and too many cañas) last night in Malasaña. As the day winds down and a dull throb sets in, you might find yourself in a local farmacia near your flat in Chueca. To the pharmacist, you'd simply say: "Hola, me duele la cabeza. ¿Tiene algo para el dolor?" This simple phrase is your key to getting relief and continuing your Madrid adventure.
Castilian

The Castilian Tip

Many learners, influenced by English, often fall into the trap of saying "Tengo dolor de cabeza." While grammatically correct and perfectly understandable, it sounds less natural and a bit too literal to a native Madrileño's ear. It’s like saying "I possess pain of head" rather than "My head hurts me." Stick with "Me duele la cabeza" for that authentic Castilian flow. As for pronunciation, the 'z' in cabeza is pronounced with the distinct Castilian 'th' sound, similar to 'th' in 'thin', not an 's' sound you might hear in parts of Latin America. Master that, and you'll sound even more like a local!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say "How to say 'I have a headache'" in Castilian Spanish?

In Castilian Spanish (as spoken in Spain), you say Me duele la cabeza. Talking to a doctor or pharmacist.

What is the most common mistake learners make with "Me duele la cabeza"?

Saying 'tengo dolor de cabeza' (correct but less natural). Understanding this distinction is key to sounding natural in Spain.

Is "Me duele la cabeza" used the same way in Spain and Latin America?

While understood across the Spanish-speaking world, Castilian Spanish has its own nuances and pronunciation for this. In Spain, you'll hear subtle differences in delivery and context.