ache
gb/ˈeɪk/ us/ˈeɪk/
A2
English
~ 1900
fáj, sajog, fájdalom, sajgás, tompa fájdalom, vágyik, fáj a szíve valaki után, sóvárog
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[part of the body] aches
My back aches after sitting at the computer all day.
Fáj a hátam, miután egész nap a számítógép előtt ültem.
Her legs ached from walking for hours.
Sajgott a lába a többórás gyaloglástól.
He said his shoulders ached after moving the furniture.
After the long hike, my feet were aching badly.
His head ached from lack of sleep.
Learner examples
My head aches.
Fáj a fejem.
Her legs ache after work.
Munka után fáj a lába.
His back aches every morning.
My arms ache from lifting boxes.
Your neck aches because you sit too long.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ache' with 'itch'; 'ache' refers to pain, not an irritating feeling that makes you want to scratch.
Meaning
Feel a steady, dull pain
Collocations
back aches
|head aches
|muscles ache
|legs ache
|shoulders ache
Synonyms
hurt (General term for experiencing pain; can be sharp or dull.)
|
throb (Implies a rhythmic pulsing pain rather than a constant one.)
Antonyms
feel fine (Indicates being free from any discomfort or pain.)
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
Definition
To have a steady, not sharp pain in part of your body.
To experience a continuous, dull, and often lingering physical pain in a part of the body.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
an ache in [part of the body]
He had a dull ache in his lower back.
Tompa fájdalmat érzett a derekában.
After the workout, she felt an ache in her arms.
Az edzés után fájdalmat érzett a karjában.
The ache in his chest worried the doctor.
There was a constant ache behind her eyes.
He tried to ignore the ache in his knee.
Learner examples
I have a toothache.
Fáj a fogam.
She feels an ache in her leg.
Fájdalmat érez a lábában.
There is an ache in my head.
He has a backache today.
My arm has a small ache.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'a' before 'ache' when it is countable, e.g., 'I have ache' instead of 'I have an ache'. Also, some confuse 'ache' with 'pain', which can be sharper.
Meaning
A steady, dull pain
Collocations
stomach ache
|toothache
|headache
|chest ache
|dull ache
Synonyms
pain (Broad term for unpleasant physical sensation, may be stronger or sharper than an ache.)
|
soreness (Often describes mild discomfort after use or injury.)
Antonyms
comfort (The state of being free from pain or discomfort.)
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
Definition
A steady pain that lasts for some time and is not sharp.
A continuous, dull physical pain that is not sharp or stabbing.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
ache for [something/someone]
She ached for his touch after months apart.
Hónapoknyi távollét után nagyon vágyott az érintésére.
I ache to see my family again.
Nagyon vágyom rá, hogy újra lássam a családomat.
He ached for the freedom he once had.
They ached with loneliness during the long winter.
Her heart ached for the suffering children.
Learner examples
I ache to see my home again.
Nagyon vágyom rá, hogy újra lássam az otthonomat.
She aches for her family.
Nagyon vágyik a családja után.
He aches for love.
They ache to return to their country.
My heart aches for my old friends.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this emotional sense with physical pain; context usually makes it clear, but 'ache' here is figurative.
Meaning
Long for or miss deeply
Collocations
ache for home
|ache for love
|ache for freedom
Synonyms
yearn (Emphasizes deep emotional desire or longing.)
|
pine (Suggests prolonged longing, often with sadness.)
Antonyms
be content (Indicates satisfaction and lack of desire for change.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
Definition
To feel very sad or want something or someone very much.
To feel an intense desire for or sadness about something or someone, often with emotional pain.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ache
IPA
GB/ˈeɪk/
US/ˈeɪk/
Syllables & stress
ache (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ache)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ache
- Plural: aches
Verb
- Base: ache
- 3rd Person Singular: aches
- Present Participle: aching
- Past: ached
Word family
Expressions
backache
1/bˈækˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
Pain in the back area
A steady pain in your back that lasts for some time.
Examples
- He took medicine for his backache.
- Sitting too long gives me a backache.
heart aches for
1/hˈɑɹt ˈeɪks fɚ/
fixed phrase
Feel sadness or pity for someone
To feel very sad or sorry for someone or something.
Examples
- My heart aches for the families who lost loved ones.
- Her heart aches for the children living in poverty.
stomach ache
1/stˈʌmək ˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
Pain in the stomach area
A steady pain in your stomach area.
Examples
- She stayed home with a stomach ache.
- Eating too fast can give you a stomach ache.
toothache
1/tˈuθət͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Pain in a tooth or teeth
Pain in one or more teeth.
Examples
- He went to the dentist because of a toothache.
- Cold drinks make my toothache worse.