Ma tête ou la tête ?

William C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ma tête ou la tête ?

What is the difference between "ma tête me fait mal" y 

"la tête me fait mal". They seem the same to me.

Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Saying "la tête me fait mal" is more natural to a French speaker than "ma tête me fait mal". You'll use the second version only if there is a potential for confusion about which head you're talking.

William C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I understand but when I answered "la tête me fait mal", it was marked wrong. 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I suspect this part of the lesson is relevant here:

when special emphasis on the body part is desired
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You use a possessive adjective when the body part is the subject of the verb. "Ma tête me fait mal"  is actually given as an example in the lesson.

William C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

OK but why is "me" necessary if you use the possessive pronoun?

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Because the pattern is: qqc fait mal à qqn

Said H.C1Kwiziq community member

When "tete" is an object, it is preceded by the french definite article and a preposition. This is a generality when you are talking about parts of the body.

J'ai mal à la tête = I have a headache.

Je suis blessé à la main = My hand is hurt.

William C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Chris 

Surely "qqc" can mean both "la tête" and "ma tête" in your construction.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

This was to explain why to use "me", as per your question. The French "me" corresponds to the "à qqn" part. 

Ma tête ou la tête ?

What is the difference between "ma tête me fait mal" y 

"la tête me fait mal". They seem the same to me.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...