Norwegian reports symptoms with har and a bare noun: jeg har feber, jeg har hodepine, jeg har vondt i halsen. Being ill in a general way uses er: jeg er syk, jeg er forkjølet. Vondt i plus the definite body part covers most aches.
Examples
- Jeg har feber og vondt i halsen.
- I have a fever and a sore throat.
- Sønnen min har hostet siden mandag.
- My son has had a cough since Monday.
- Har du hodepine?
- Do you have a headache?
The mistake to avoid
Forkjølet goes with er, not har: jeg er forkjølet.
Where this fits in
Body, health & feelings, Norwegian A2: Talk about your body, common illnesses, and how you feel. Visit a doctor or pharmacy and describe symptoms.