How do you use "Splitting headache" in a sentence?

Woke up with a splitting headache. This hangover—I've got a splitting headache. My head's absolutely splitting.

Splitting headache

Q: What does "Splitting headache" mean?

A severe headache, especially from a hangover. A splitting headache is an intense, severe headache—one that feels like your head is being split apart. It's a common hangover symptom and the phrase vividly conveys the intensity. 'My head's splitting' is the shortened form.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: A severe headache, especially from a hangover.

剧烈的头痛，尤其是宿醉引起的。

Un dolor de cabeza intenso, especialmente por resaca.

ひどい頭痛、特に二日酔いによるもの。

매우 심한 두통.

A splitting headache is an intense, severe headache—one that feels like your head is being split apart. It's a common hangover symptom and the phrase vividly conveys the intensity. 'My head's splitting' is the shortened form.

「splitting headache」是一种剧烈的头痛——感觉头要裂开了一样。这是宿醉的常见症状，这个短语生动地传达了头痛的程度。「My head's splitting」是缩略说法。

Un «splitting headache» es un dolor de cabeza intenso y severo, uno que se siente como si la cabeza se partiera en dos. Es un síntoma común de resaca y la expresión transmite vívidamente la intensidad. «My head's splitting» es la forma abreviada.

「splitting headache」は、頭が割れるように痛い激しい頭痛のことです。二日酔いの典型的な症状で、その激しさを生き生きと伝える表現です。「My head's splitting」は短縮形です。

머리가 쪼개지는 것 같은 극심한 두통을 말한다.

Examples

Woke up with a splitting headache.
醒来时头痛欲裂
Me desperté con un dolor de cabeza terrible
頭が割れるような頭痛で目が覚めた
그 와인 때문에 머리가 쪼개질 것 같아.
This hangover—I've got a splitting headache.
这宿醉啊——头疼得要命
Con esta resaca tengo un dolor de cabeza horrible
この二日酔い、頭が割れそうだ
화면을 볼 수가 없어—머리가 깨질 듯이 아파.
My head's absolutely splitting.
我的头简直要裂开了
La cabeza me va a estallar
頭が本当に割れそうに痛い
아침에 일어나니까 머리가 쪼개질 듯이 아팠어.

Pronunciation

/ˈsplɪtɪŋ ˈhedeɪk/

Usage Guide

Context: hangovers, illness, migraines

Tone: emphatic, pained

✓ Do Say

Splitting headache
头痛欲裂
Dolor de cabeza horrible
割れるような頭痛
머리가 깨질 것 같아
My head's splitting
头要裂开了
Me estalla la cabeza
頭が割れそうだ
오늘 두통이 심해

Common Mistakes

Describes intensity, not cause
Can be from hangover, migraine, or other causes

Origin & History

The image is of the head being split or cracked open by the intensity of the pain. The phrase has been used for severe headaches since at least the 19th century. It remains the standard description for intense head pain.

Etymology: From the sensation of the head being split

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal idiom

Regional notes: Universal English phrase.

Variations

Splitting headacheHead's splitting