What does mal in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word mal in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use mal in French.

The word mal in French means badly, poorly, incorrectly, wrongly, badly, wrongly, poorly, be wrong, be bad, be in trouble, evil, damage, ache, ill, evil, sickness, illness, disease, go from bad to worse, be ill, be unwell, not work, tackle a thorny issue, have difficulty doing , have trouble doing, have a dirty mind, be airsick, be seasick, have travel sickness, suffer from travel sickness, be homesick, be in pain, have stomach ache, have a stomach ache, have an earache, have earache, have a sore throat, have a headache, have a bad arm, have a sore arm, have a painful arm, feel sick, feel sad, be sad, be dismayed, have a bad back, have backache, have (a) stomach ache, be hung over, have toothache, have sore legs, have painful legs, have sore feet, have aching feet, ache all over, ache everywhere, hurt all over, hurt everywhere, be sick as a dog, be as sick as a dog, have a heck of a time doing, find it incredibly difficult to do, ill got, ill spent, in general, generally speaking, like it or not, whether you like it or not, that's not bad, that's not bad going, things are looking bad, things don't look good, it's not looking rosy, that's a bad start, it is a blessing in disguise, it could be worse, it hurts, It doesn't look good! It doesn't look great!, It doesn't look good!, It doesn't look great!, it is hurting me, that is hurting me, it saddens me, it's going badly, it's going to go badly, it's going to end badly, it's not going to end well, it's just as well, fight fire with fire, uneasy compromise, hesitantly, from bad to worse, not too much harm, speak ill of, talk about behind his/her back, speak ill of behind his/her back, speak ill of, cause a problem, cause trouble, make seasick, cause seasickness, give a headache, give a headache, make feel sick, give stomach ache, give a stomach ache, ill, lacking , missing, lack of stories, lack of material, be in a bad way, be in a very bad way, be unloved, not receive the recognition you crave, feel undervalued, feel underappreciated, be ill, be ill at ease, feel ill at ease, be a bad idea to do, be off to a bad start, be poorly advised, have depreciated, feel uncomfortable with yourself, be in a bad way, be off to a bad start, keep bad company, not feel well, be a bad idea to do, be moody, be grumpy, do badly, do poorly, be off to a bad start, get a low score, have a low score, be in no position to do, come at the wrong time, come at a bad time, be ill-timed, not be the done thing, be poorly regarded, harm, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, sting, hate, hurt, make sick, hurt your eyes, hurt your eyes, be killing. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word mal

badly, poorly

adverbe (pas bien)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Ce travail est mal fait : refais-le ! Les ouvriers de cette usine sont mal payés.

This work is badly done; do it again! // This factory's workers are poorly paid.

incorrectly, wrongly

adverbe (de façon erronée)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

L'élève a mal répondu aux questions.

The pupil answered the questions incorrectly.

badly, wrongly, poorly

adverbe (de façon contraire à la morale) (actions, behaviour)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

L'élève a mal parlé à son professeur. L'escroc a pris conscience qu'il avait mal agi.

The pupil spoke rudely to his teacher.

be wrong, be bad

locution verbale (mauvais, immoral)

C'est mal de mentir !

It's wrong to lie!

be in trouble

locution verbale (familier (être en mauvaise posture) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si le prof s'aperçoit qu'on a triché, on est mal !

If the teacher notices that we've cheated, we're in trouble!

evil

nom masculin (le contraire du bien)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Ce bandit ne semble connaître que le mal. Il ne faut pas faire le mal pour le mal.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. We need politicians who know right from wrong.

damage

nom masculin (nuisance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Que veux-tu, il a triché, le mal est fait.

What do you expect? He cheated; the damage is done.

ache

nom masculin (souffrance d'une partie du corps) (often as suffix)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Mon mal de dos me reprend. Je vais chez le dentiste, j'ai mal aux dents.

My backache has flared up again. // I'm going to the dentist; I have toothache.

ill, evil

nom masculin (difficulté, problème)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Entre deux maux, il faut choisir le moindre.

When faced with two evils, all you can do is choose the lesser of the two.

sickness, illness, disease

nom masculin (maladie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Son mal progresse de jour en jour.

His illness is gaining ground by the day.

go from bad to worse

locution verbale (empirer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

be ill, be unwell

locution verbale (être en mauvaise santé)

Pierre va mal depuis qu'il a contracté cette maladie tropicale.

not work

locution verbale (ne pas fonctionner correctement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Depuis son changement de directeur, cette usine va mal.

tackle a thorny issue

locution verbale (figuré (insister sur un point faible) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have difficulty doing , have trouble doing

locution verbale (rencontrer des difficultés à faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mes enfants ont du mal à dormir en été à cause de la chaleur. // Excusez mon retard, j'ai eu du mal à me connecter.

My children find it difficult to sleep in the summer due to the heat.

have a dirty mind

locution verbale (penser à des acceptions graveleuses)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be airsick

locution verbale (être malade en avion)

Jules n'aime pas prendre l'avion car il a souvent le mal de l'air.

be seasick

locution verbale (être malade en bateau)

have travel sickness, suffer from travel sickness

locution verbale (être malade en transports)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be homesick

locution verbale (être en manque de sa région)

be in pain

locution verbale (souffrir, ressentir une douleur)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le blessé était allongé par terre et parvenait juste à marmonner : "J'ai mal". La maman de Lucas lui demanda : "Mais tu as mal où ?"

The injured man was lying on the ground and just manage to murmur, "It hurts." Lucas's mum asked him, "Where does it hurt?"

have stomach ache, have a stomach ache

locution verbale (avoir mal au ventre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Julie a eu mal à l'estomac tout l'après-midi, c'est peut-être à cause des fruits de mer de ce mdi.

have an earache, have earache

locution verbale (avoir une oreille douloureuse)

Pierre a mal à l'oreille et a pris un rendez-vous chez un ORL.

have a sore throat

locution verbale (avoir la gorge qui démange)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have a headache

locution verbale (avoir la migraine)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Si tu as mal à la tête, prends de l'aspirine.

have a bad arm, have a sore arm, have a painful arm

locution verbale (souffrir du bras)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Depuis son accident, George a mal au bras.

feel sick

locution verbale (figuré (avoir la nausée)

Les enfants avaient mangé trop de bonbons et ont eu mal au cœur.

feel sad, be sad

locution verbale (figuré (être triste)

Sa meilleure amie est partie et Lucie a mal au cœur.

be dismayed

locution verbale (figuré (être consterné)

J'ai mal au cœur en voyant ce que cette entreprise est devenue.

have a bad back, have backache

locution verbale (souffrir du dos)

Je ne peux pas t'aider à déménager parce que j'ai mal au dos.

have (a) stomach ache

locution verbale (souffrir de l'estomac)

Ma femme a souvent mal au ventre quand elle a ses règles.

be hung over

locution verbale (familier (avoir la gueule de bois)

have toothache

locution verbale (avoir une douleur dentaire)

Jean a mal aux dents et prend vite un rendez-vous chez son dentiste.

have sore legs, have painful legs

locution verbale (souffrir des jambes)

Le médecin a prescrit des bas de contention à ce patient qui avait mal aux jambes.

have sore feet, have aching feet

locution verbale (ressentir une douleur aux pieds)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

J'ai mal aux pieds, il faut que je me m'assoie.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. My feet ache.

ache all over, ache everywhere, hurt all over, hurt everywhere

locution verbale (être ankylosé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Rejouer au tennis sans m'être préparé avant était une mauvaise idée : j'ai mal partout !

Playing tennis again with no preparation was a bad idea; I'm aching all over!

be sick as a dog, be as sick as a dog

locution verbale (familier (avoir très mal) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ma femme a un mal de chien et dort mal en ce moment.

My wife is as sick as a dog and is not sleeping properly at the moment.

have a heck of a time doing

locution verbale (familier (avoir du mal à faire [qch]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Avec mon mari, nous avons eu un mal de chien à monter cette armoire.

My husband and I had a heck of a time putting together this wardrobe.

find it incredibly difficult to do

locution verbale (familier (avoir beaucoup de difficultés)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

J'ai eu un mal fou à la convaincre de rester.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. I had a hell of a job persuading her to stay.

ill got, ill spent

(on ne profite jamais d'un vol) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in general, generally speaking

locution adverbiale (en moyenne)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Bon an mal an, un pied de pommes de terre donne environ 1 kilo.

like it or not

locution adverbiale (de toute façon)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Bon an mal an, il faudra bientôt refaire le plein de carburant.

whether you like it or not

locution adverbiale (que ce soit voulu ou non)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Bon gré mal gré, tu devras te décider à changer de voiture.

that's not bad, that's not bad going

(familier (c'est un bon début)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

En une semaine, il a trouvé un travail et un logement, c'est déjà pas mal.

things are looking bad, things don't look good, it's not looking rosy

(familier (affaire mal engagée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that's a bad start

(la situation se présente mal) (colloquial)

it is a blessing in disguise

(ce désagrément entraîne un avantage)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it could be worse

(ça aurait pu être pire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Notre avion n'a qu'une heure de retard, c'est un moindre mal !

it hurts

(c'est douloureux)

It doesn't look good! It doesn't look great!

(familier (Cela fait mauvais genre.)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

It doesn't look good!, It doesn't look great!

(familier (Cela fait mauvais genre.)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it is hurting me, that is hurting me

(cela m'est douloureux)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it saddens me

(figuré (cela m'attriste)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it's going badly

(familier (la situation est mauvaise)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ça se passe bien au travail ? Non ça va mal.

it's going to go badly

(ça va empirer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Si tu continues comme ça, ça va mal aller !

it's going to end badly, it's not going to end well

(ça finira par poser problème)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

À force d'exagérer, ça va mal finir !

it's just as well

(Finalement, c'est mieux comme ça)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

fight fire with fire

locution verbale (utiliser les mêmes armes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

uneasy compromise

nom féminin (arrangement ne satisfaisant personne)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

hesitantly

locution adverbiale (figuré (avec hésitation)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

from bad to worse

locution adverbiale (en empirant)

not too much harm

nom masculin (désagrément moindre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il y a demi-mal, Pierre n'a qu'un bras cassé dans cet accident.

speak ill of

(médire de [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

talk about behind his/her back, speak ill of behind his/her back

(médire de [qqn] auprès d'autres)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

speak ill of

(médire de [qqn/qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cause a problem, cause trouble

locution verbale (résister)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette fuite d'eau m'a donné du mal mais j'ai fini par la réparer.

make seasick, cause seasickness

locution verbale (rendre malade sur l'eau)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

give a headache

(rendre malade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ce son strident donne mal à la tête à ma sœur.

That loud noise is giving my sister a headache.

give a headache

(figuré (fatiguer) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ces trois jours de congrès m'ont donné mal à la tête.

make feel sick

(rendre malade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

L'odeur du chou-fleur me donne mal au cœur.

give stomach ache, give a stomach ache

(rendre malade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ce que nous avons mangé ce midi nous a donné mal au ventre.

ill

locution adverbiale (de façon négative)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

lacking , missing

(qui manque de [qch])

(verb, present participle: -ing verb used descriptively or to form progressive verb--for example, "a singing bird," "It is singing.")

lack of stories, lack of material

locution adverbiale (journaliste : en manque de sujet) (journalism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les journalistes sont parfois en mal de copie pendant les grandes vacances.

Journalists often find there is a lack of stories in the summer months.

be in a bad way, be in a very bad way

locution verbale (aller très mal) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Elle est au plus mal depuis son accident.

be unloved

locution verbale (être en manque d'amour)

Les orphelins sont en mal d'amour maternel et paternel.

Orphans are lacking (or: starved of) maternal and paternal love.

not receive the recognition you crave

locution verbale (perdre sa popularité)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette vedette sur le retour est en mal de reconnaissance.

feel undervalued, feel underappreciated

locution verbale (s'estimer pas assez reconnu)

Cet employé est en mal de reconnaissance.

be ill

locution verbale (familier (ne pas aller bien, être malade)

Elle est mal en ce moment, elle a une migraine.

be ill at ease, feel ill at ease

locution verbale (soutenu (éprouver une gêne)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Elle est mal à son aise car n'a pas l'habitude de ce genre de soirée habillée.

be a bad idea to do

locution verbale (être imprudent, irréfléchi) (impersonal construction)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tu serais mal avisé de marcher sur cette planche pourrie.

It would be a bad idea to walk on that rotten board.

be off to a bad start

locution verbale (familier (être mal engagé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

C'est mal barré, nous avons déjà deux tours de retard.

be poorly advised

locution verbale (recevoir de mauvais avis)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il est mal conseillé, il devrait changer d'avocat.

have depreciated

locution verbale (être déprécié, méprisé, mésestimé)

Cette voiture est mal cotée car elle enregistre trop de kilomètres.

feel uncomfortable with yourself

locution verbale (familier (ne pas être bien dans sa peau)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet adolescent voit un psychothérapeute car il est mal dans ses baskets.

be in a bad way

locution verbale (être malade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Franck est mal en point à cause d'une mauvaise grippe.

be off to a bad start

locution verbale (mal commencer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette affaire est mal engagée, nous n'étions pas encore prêts.

keep bad company

locution verbale (avoir de mauvais conseillers)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ce roi était mal entouré, il a perdu beaucoup de territoires.

not feel well

locution verbale (familier (ne pas être très en forme)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Elle ne fera pas de tennis ce soir car elle est mal foutue.

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Man, do I feel rough this morning after all that wine last night.

be a bad idea to do

locution verbale (mal avisé de faire [qch]) (impersonal construction)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tu serais mal inspiré de ne pas prévenir ton chef.

It would be a bad idea not to tell your boss.

be moody, be grumpy

locution verbale (familier (être de mauvaise humeur)

Attends demain pour lui poser ta question, aujourd'hui elle est mal lunée.

do badly, do poorly

locution verbale (avoir une mauvaise appréciation)

Il n'aura pas de promotion car il est mal noté.

be off to a bad start

locution verbale (familier (mal commencer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le camping est mal parti, nous avons oublié la tente.

get a low score, have a low score

locution verbale (ne pas avoir un bon rang)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Vous ne pourrez pas choisir votre affectation si vous êtes mal placés.

be in no position to do

locution verbale (figuré, familier (ne pas être légitime, fondé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tu es mal placé pour la critiquer, tu fais parfois la même chose !

come at the wrong time, come at a bad time

locution verbale (figuré, familier (arriver au mauvais moment)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tu es mal tombé, le mercredi est son jour de repos.

be ill-timed

locution verbale (inopportun)

Il serait mal venu de lui poser cette question alors qu'elle est en deuil.

not be the done thing

locution verbale (être peu convenable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il est mal vu de ne pas venir sans prévenir.

be poorly regarded

locution verbale (figuré (avoir une mauvaise réputation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet étudiant est mal vu à l'université, il y a des soupçons de fraude contre lui.

harm

(nuire à [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Cette enquête fera du mal aux ministres.

This enquiry will harm the cabinet members.

hurt

(blesser [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Thomas m'a fait mal à la jambe.

Thomas hurt my leg.

hurt

(être douloureux)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Ma jambe me fait mal. Et là, ça vous fait mal quand j'appuie là ?

My leg hurts. And there? Does it hurt when I press there?

hurt

(être douloureux)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Attention, cette piqûre fera mal.

Watch out; this injection is going to hurt.

hurt, sting

locution verbale (figuré (être cinglant) (figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Cette proposition fera mal.

This suggestion is going to hurt.

hate

(figuré (être dur à accepter) (subject/object inversion)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Cela me fait mal de me dire qu'il va falloir que je me lève à 6 heures du matin !

It pains me to realise that I'm going to have to get up at 6 AM!

hurt

(rendre une partie du corps douloureuse) (body part)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

make sick

locution verbale (dégoûter) (figurative)

Ça me fait mal au cœur de voir toute cette nourriture partir à la poubelle.

Seeing all that food thrown away makes me sick.

hurt your eyes

locution verbale (être douloureux pour les yeux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Toute cette poussière m'a fait mal aux yeux.

All that dust hurt my eyes.

hurt your eyes

locution verbale (être insupportable pour [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Toutes ces fautes d'orthographe me font mal aux yeux, corrige-moi ça tout de suite !

be killing

locution verbale (familier (faire souffrir [qqn]) (figurative, informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mon dos me fait un mal de chien ; il faut que j'aille voir un médecin.

My back is killing me; I must go and see a doctor.

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