Dove le fa più male?

Where does it hurt the most?

Pronunciation

pyoo MA-le — 'più' rhymes with 'view'. The 'u' with accent means 'more'.

When to use it

A doctor asks you this during physical examination. Learn to understand it and point or name the body part.

What it means

'Dove' means 'where'. 'Le fa più male' uses the formal indirect pronoun 'le' (to you). 'Più' means 'more' or 'most'. The structure 'fare male' (to hurt) is impersonal — the body part is the subject: 'Mi fa male la testa' (my head hurts, literally 'the head makes pain to me').

Variations

Il dolore è qui sul petto.

The pain is here on my chest.

Chest pain — always taken seriously in Italy

Mi fa male ovunque.

It hurts everywhere.

Describe generalised pain — common with flu or fibromyalgia

Il dolore si irradia al braccio.

The pain radiates to my arm.

Radiating pain — critical symptom to describe

Mini Dialogue

— Dove le fa più male? — Principalmente qui, sotto le costole a destra. — Il dolore è costante o a tratti? — Va e viene, soprattutto dopo mangiato. — Potrebbe essere la cistifellea. Le precrivo un'ecografia.

— Where does it hurt the most? — Mainly here, under the ribs on the right. — Is the pain constant or intermittent? — It comes and goes, especially after eating. — It could be the gallbladder. I will prescribe an ultrasound.

Cultural Note

Diagnostic imaging in Italy through the public system ('SSN') usually requires a 'prenotazione' (booking) at a 'CUP' (Centro Unico di Prenotazione) and can have long waiting times. Many Italians pay privately for faster access. Private ultrasounds cost €50–100. Bring your 'impegnativa' (referral) from your GP.

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Da quanto tempo ha questi sintomi?

Ho difficoltà a respirare.

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