Lesson 38 of 40 · win the Junior Doctor badge
Mi fa male la testa — parlare di salute
Talking about health and problems
Something hurts, someone's coughing, and Luna is diagnosing everyone by licking their hands. Time to talk symptoms like a pro.
🎯 By the end you can…
- Say what hurts using mi fa/fanno male
- Describe symptoms to a doctor
- Give simple health advice
🎬 Listen to the scene
Tap a line to hear it, then say it back louder than Luna barks.
What's up, Adam? You're not feeling well?
No, my throat hurts and I have a cough.
You should drink some hot tea with honey.
Luna's even licking my hand — maybe she thinks she's a doctor.
🔑 mi fa male / mi fanno male
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| singular body part | Mi fa male la testa. — My head hurts. |
| plural body part | Mi fanno male i piedi. — My feet hurt. |
| someone else | Gli fa male la pancia. — His tummy hurts. |
Adam's tip: Same structure as mi piace/piacciono — the body part is the subject of the verb, not 'I'.
🧩 Useful health phrases
- Ho la febbre / il raffreddore / la tosse / il mal di testa
- Non mi sento bene · Mi sento meglio / peggio
- Advice: Dovresti riposare, dovresti andare dal dottore, prendi una medicina
🤯 Wow fact
Mi fa male la testa works just like mi piace — the body part is the boss of the sentence, not 'I'.
🗣️ Say it fast, say it silly
Mi fa male la testa, ci fanno male i piedi!
Three times in a row without tripping = you win.
🧠 Puzzle time
Answer in your head first, then tap to check. 0 of 6 checked
Complete with fa male or fanno male.
Give advice with dovresti.
😂 Barzelletta — Luna's joke
Perché Luna lecca la mano di Adam?
🚀 Your mission today
Tell someone three things that could hurt, and give matching advice using dovresti.
🎲 Play it with someone
The clumsy patient
One student mimes multiple ailments; their partner plays doctor, diagnoses and gives advice using dovresti.
Vet visit for Luna
In pairs, role-play a vet check-up for Luna, describing three symptoms and receiving advice.
For teachers & grown-ups
Lets students reuse dovere/potere from lesson 35 in a fresh, funny context.
🧪 End-of-lesson quiz
Eight quick questions. Get 6 right to win the Junior Doctor badge.
This lesson belongs to Unit 14 — Real life, real problems. Pass every quiz in the unit — and know 1925 words — to be promoted to the next level.
💪 Keep the streak going
- Flashcards, Set 41 — body and health
- Describe three symptoms and their remedies to a friend or family member
Word sets for this lesson
