Head

Basic symptoms

頭が痛いです。
あたまがいたいです。
I have a headache.
The most basic phrase — use this first if you're unsure how to describe it.
Suggested Department
Neurology (non-surgical brain/nerve conditions)Internal Medicine (general entry point when unsure)
Relatedズキズキする頭痛（throbbing headache）締め付けられるような頭痛（tight, band-like headache）
頭が重い感じがします。
あたまがおもいかんじがします。
My head feels heavy.
A common way to describe tension headaches — a milder, more everyday way to put it than just saying 'it hurts.'
Suggested Department
Neurology (non-surgical brain/nerve conditions)Internal Medicine (general entry point when unsure)
Related頭痛（headache）締め付けられるような頭痛（tight, band-like headache）

By type of pain

頭がズキズキ痛みます。
あたまがズキズキいたみます。
My head throbs with pain.
Common with migraines — medically called a 'throbbing' headache. The doctor will want to know if it's accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity.
Suggested Department
Neurology (non-surgical brain/nerve conditions)
Related頭痛（headache）締め付けられるような頭痛（tight, band-like headache）
頭が締め付けられるように痛いです。
あたまがしめつけられるようにいたいです。
My head feels like it's being squeezed tight.
Medically called 'pressure-type' headache, common with tension headaches — a different quality from throbbing pain.
Suggested Department
Neurology (non-surgical brain/nerve conditions)
Related頭痛（headache）ズキズキする頭痛（throbbing headache）
割れるような激しい頭痛がします。
われるようなはげしいずつうがします。
I have a sudden, splitting headache.
A sudden, severe headache deserves serious attention — it may signal a situation requiring prompt medical care.
⚠️ Worth paying attention to
Suggested Department
Neurosurgery (urgent/surgical brain conditions)Emergency / Call ambulance (119)

Severe headache needs caution — if it's the worst headache of your life and sudden, treat it as an emergency

Related雷が落ちたような・バットで殴られたような突然の激痛（sudden thunderclap-like severe headache）
頭の片側だけが痛みます。
あたまのかたがわだけがいたみます。
The pain is only on one side of my head.
One of the classic features of migraines — the doctor will want to know if it's accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, or sensitivity to sound.
Suggested Department
Neurology (non-surgical brain/nerve conditions)
Relatedズキズキする頭痛（throbbing headache）
片方の目の奥がえぐられるように痛みます。
かたほうのめのおくがえぐられるようにいたみます。
Severe boring pain behind one eye.
A classic feature of cluster headaches, often with tearing, eye redness, and drooping eyelid on the same side. Though extremely painful, it isn't life-threatening — still, seek medical care to confirm the diagnosis and get proper treatment.
Suggested Department
Neurology (non-surgical brain/nerve conditions)Ophthalmology
Related割れるような激痛（splitting/severe headache）

Warning signs

ろれつが回らなくなりました。
ろれつがまわらなくなりました。
I've suddenly started slurring my speech.
May indicate an emergency such as a stroke — seek medical care immediately.
⚠️ Danger sign — could be life-threatening
Suggested Department
Emergency / Call ambulance (119)Neurosurgery (urgent/surgical brain conditions)
Related雷が落ちたような・バットで殴られたような突然の激痛（sudden thunderclap-like severe headache）
今までに経験したことのない激しい頭痛が突然起こりました。雷が落ちたような痛みです。
いままでにけいけんしたことのないはげしいずつうがとつぜんおこりました。かみなりがおちたようないたみです。
Sudden, worst headache of my life — like being struck by lightning or hit in the head.
Medically called 'thunderclap headache' — the most classic sign of subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a true life-threatening warning sign: call 119 immediately, don't wait to see if it passes.
⚠️ Danger sign — could be life-threatening
Suggested Department
Emergency / Call ambulance (119)Neurosurgery (urgent/surgical brain conditions)
Related割れるような激痛（splitting/severe headache）ろれつが回らない（slurred speech）
頭痛と一緒に、首の後ろが硬くなって、高い熱もあります。
ずつうといっしょに、くびのうしろがかたくなって、たかいねつもあります。
Headache along with a stiff neck and high fever.
May indicate meningitis — this combination of signs requires immediate medical care.
⚠️ Danger sign — could be life-threatening
Suggested Department
Emergency / Call ambulance (119)Neurosurgery (urgent/surgical brain conditions)
Relatedろれつが回らない（slurred speech）
Head Symptoms | Symptom Dictionary Japanese phrases for Head symptoms, with example sentences and audio.
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