Whether we’re feeling under the weather, visiting the doctor or simply talking about everyday aches and pains, health is one of those topics that comes up in every language. Knowing a few common words can make everyday conversations, or even a trip to the doctor’s, feel a little less daunting.
This puzzle works a little differently from a traditional vocabulary match. Instead of pairing Italian words with their English translations, you’ll match illnesses with the parts of the body they affect.
If you need a hand with the vocabulary, you’ll also find a complete Italian-English word list further down the page.
Download the puzzle below, and if you’d like to see a few of these words used in real Italian sentences, you’ll find some further down the page.
Divertiti! 😊
Learning a word is one thing; seeing it used naturally is another.
Once you've completed the puzzle, take a look at these simple Italian sentences featuring a few of the words you've just matched, each with an English translation.
Emicrania
Ho un'emicrania e preferisco stare al buio.
I have a migraine and I'd rather stay in the dark.
Gastrite
La gastrite mi impedisce di mangiare cibi piccanti.
Gastritis stops me from eating spicy food.
Polmoni
Si è rovinato i polmoni fumando due pacchetti di sigarette al giorno.
He ruined his lungs by smoking two packets of cigarettes a day.
Carie
Da piccola mangiavo troppe caramelle e avevo spesso la carie.
When I was little, I ate too many sweets and often had cavities.
Please, no scented flowers! 💐
I've suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember, and one of my biggest triggers has always been strong smells.
As a teenager, I once endured a long car journey with an aunt who'd sprayed her hair with an impressive amount of lacca (hairspray) just before we set off. The whole car reeked, and we had to stop several times because I felt sick. At the time, I remember thinking the only real solution was to find a hosepipe and wash her hair there and then.
Flowers have caused similar problems over the years. Friends and family have often surprised me with beautiful bouquets of lilies or freesias, completely unaware that their lovely scent would leave me curled up in a dark room for hours. A thoughtful gift, just not for me.
Speaking of flowers with consequences, if you'd like to continue building your Italian health vocabulary, my Our World book includes two more puzzles on the topic: Malattie infettive and Piante medicinali.
