Phrases › Describing Symptoms › Ho il naso tappato.

Ho il naso tappato.

I have a blocked/stuffy nose.

Pronunciation

NA-zo tap-PA-to — double 'p'. 'Naso' = nose. 'Tappato' = plugged/blocked.

When to use it

Describe nasal congestion to a doctor or pharmacist. Very common symptom with colds, allergies, and sinusitis.

What it means

'Tappato' literally means 'plugged' — the same word as a plugged bottle. For runny nose: 'Ho il naso che cola' (my nose is running). For blocked and runny: 'Ho il naso tappato e cola'. Pharmacists can recommend 'decongestionanti nasali' (nasal decongestants).

Variations

Ho il naso che cola continuamente.

My nose is running continuously.

'Cola' from 'colare' = to flow/drip — runny nose

Ho una sinusite. Il dolore è qui sulle guance.

I have sinusitis. The pain is here on my cheeks.

Sinusitis pain typically over cheekbones and forehead

Mi prudono gli occhi e ho il naso tappato. Credo sia l'allergia.

My eyes are itchy and my nose is blocked. I think it is an allergy.

Classic allergic rhinitis symptoms

Mini Dialogue

— Ho il naso tappato da una settimana. Non respiro bene. — Ha anche febbre? — No. Solo il naso. E ogni tanto la testa. — Potrebbe essere una sinusite. Le prescrivo uno spray nasale cortisonico. — Devo prenderlo a lungo? — Almeno due settimane.

— I have had a blocked nose for a week. I am not breathing well. — Do you also have a fever? — No. Just my nose. And occasionally my head. — It could be sinusitis. I will prescribe a corticosteroid nasal spray. — Do I need to take it for a long time? — At least two weeks.

Cultural Note

Nasal irrigation with saline solution ('lavaggio nasale con soluzione fisiologica') is very commonly recommended in Italy — both by doctors and by pharmacists. Products like 'Narhinel' and 'Physiomer' are household names. Italian doctors also frequently recommend 'lavaggi nasali con acqua di mare' (sea water nasal rinse) for children with colds.

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Ho la febbre alta.

Ho mal di gola.

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