One of the first sentences I learned years ago was “J’ai un mal du tête” for i have a headache. This was from a Parisienne. Was this less formal?

Rose Marie H.A2Kwiziq community member

One of the first sentences I learned years ago was “J’ai un mal du tête” for i have a headache. This was from a Parisienne. Was this less formal?

Asked 5 years ago
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I think Rose Marie meant "J'ai un mal de tête".  I don't know if that would be considered less formal. This thread on WordReference suggests it's more complicated than that. 

https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/jai-un-mal-de-t%C3%AAte-jai-mal-%C3%A0-la-t%C3%AAte.732133/

One user says:

On dit "j'ai mal à la tête" ou "j'ai un (violent) mal de tête"

Dans la deuxième expression, il y a toujours un adjectif pour qualifier le mal de tête.

Another user says that there is often an adjective, but not always.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Just a slight correction: J'ai mal à la tête. This is perfectly ok to say, and it is certainly not slang.

One of the first sentences I learned years ago was “J’ai un mal du tête” for i have a headache. This was from a Parisienne. Was this less formal?

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