A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I feel sick to my stomach" in Italian
Express feeling unwell or sick to your stomach in Italian with this common phrase.
Mi sento male.
mee SEN-toh MAL-ehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're feeling generally unwell, like you might be coming down with something or have an upset stomach. It's a good all-purpose phrase for feeling sick.
Alternatives
- Ho la nausea.Use this specifically for feeling nauseous or queasy.
- Sto poco bene.This is a slightly softer way to say you're not feeling well.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'male' with 'mal'
'Male' is an adverb meaning 'badly' or 'poorly'; 'mal' is not a word in this context.
Misplacing stress on 'sento'
The stress is on the first syllable 'SEN', not the second 'to'.
A small cultural note
Italians often express physical discomfort directly but politely. This phrase is understood universally.
Frequently asked
How to say I have a stomach ache in Italian?
You can say 'Ho mal di stomaco'. This specifically refers to pain in your stomach.
What's the difference between 'Mi sento male' and 'Sto male'?
'Mi sento male' means 'I feel sick', focusing on the sensation. 'Sto male' can also mean 'I am sick' or 'I am doing badly'.
Can I use 'Mi sento male' for a headache?
While 'Mi sento male' is general, for a headache you'd say 'Ho mal di testa' to be more specific.
