头疼 (tóuténg)

头疼 literally means the head hurts. It is used both literally (to have a headache) and figuratively (to find something troublesome or annoying). It is also written 头痛 (tóutòng) with the same meaning.

Meanings

[verb] To have a headache; for one's head to hurt.
[adjective] Troublesome; annoying; a headache (figurative).

Example Sentences

我今天头疼，不想出门。 Wǒ jīntiān tóuténg, bù xiǎng chūmén. I have a headache today and do not want to go out.

这个问题真让人头疼。 Zhège wèntí zhēn ràng rén tóuténg. This problem is really a headache.

你头疼多久了？ Nǐ tóuténg duō jiǔ le? How long have you had a headache?

这件事很头疼，不知道怎么处理。 Zhè jiàn shì hěn tóuténg, bù zhīdào zěnme chǔlǐ. This matter is really troublesome; I do not know how to handle it.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
有点头疼	have a slight headache
头疼发烧	headache and fever
让人头疼	to give someone a headache
头疼的问题	a troublesome problem
头疼脑热	minor aches and fever

Memory Hook

头 is head and 疼 is ache or pain. A 头疼 is literally pain sitting right at the top of you. When a problem is so annoying it makes your head hurt, it is also called 头疼.