Mal di testa vs. cefalea
The Italian language has two common terms for 'headache': 'mal di testa' and 'cefalea'. While both refer to head pain, they are used in different contexts and have distinct connotations.
Mal di testa
'Mal di testa' is the more common, everyday term for a headache in Italian. It literally translates to 'pain of the head' and is used for general, non-specific headaches.
Ho un mal di testa terribile oggi.
(I have a terrible headache today.)
Il mal di testa mi impedisce di concentrarmi.
(The headache prevents me from concentrating.)
Prendo un'aspirina per il mal di testa.
(I'm taking an aspirin for the headache.)
Cefalea
'Cefalea' is a more formal or medical term for headache. It's often used in clinical settings or when discussing chronic or severe headache conditions.
Il medico ha diagnosticato una cefalea a grappolo.
(The doctor diagnosed cluster headaches.)
Soffro di cefalea cronica da anni.
(I've been suffering from chronic headaches for years.)
La cefalea tensiva è un tipo comune di mal di testa.
(Tension headache is a common type of headache.)
Summary
While 'mal di testa' and 'cefalea' both mean 'headache' in Italian, they are used in different contexts. 'Mal di testa' is the everyday term used in casual conversation, while 'cefalea' is more formal and often used in medical settings or when discussing specific types of headaches.