Ho la nausea.

I feel nauseous. / I have nausea.

Pronunciation

NAU-ze-a — three syllables. 'Au' is like 'ow' in 'now'. The 's' is like a 'z'.

When to use it

Common symptom — report it at the doctor's or to a pharmacist. Also useful on a boat, in a car, or after eating something bad.

What it means

'Ho la nausea' uses 'avere' with the definite article 'la'. Like 'ho la febbre', the article is required. 'Nausea' is an international medical term used identically in Italian. The related verb is 'avere la nausea' or 'sentirsi nauseato/a' (to feel nauseated).

Variations

Mi sento nauseato.

I feel nauseated. (male speaker)

Alternative using the past participle as adjective

Ho voglia di vomitare.

I feel like vomiting.

More direct — 'voglia di' + infinitive means 'feel like doing'

Ho lo stomaco sottosopra.

My stomach is upset.

Idiomatic — 'sottosopra' means upside down/all over the place

Mini Dialogue

— Ho la nausea e ho vomitato due volte stamattina. — Ha mangiato qualcosa di insolito ieri? — Sì, pesce al ristorante. — Potrebbe essere un'intossicazione alimentare. Si idrati bene e prenda del carbone attivo. — Quanto dura di solito? — Di solito uno o due giorni.

— I have nausea and I vomited twice this morning. — Did you eat anything unusual yesterday? — Yes, fish at a restaurant. — It could be food poisoning. Stay well hydrated and take activated charcoal. — How long does it usually last? — Usually one or two days.

Cultural Note

Food poisoning ('intossicazione alimentare') in Italy is treated primarily with rest, oral rehydration, and 'carbone vegetale' (activated charcoal) — widely available in Italian pharmacies without prescription. 'Fermenti lattici' (probiotics/lactic bacteria) are also commonly recommended. Severe cases requiring IV fluids go to 'pronto soccorso'.

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