Testa vs. capo
While both testa and capo can be translated as head in English, they are not interchangeable in Italian when referring to the body part. Testa is the standard, everyday word, while capo is used in more specific, often formal or literary, contexts.
Testa
A1This is the most common, standard, and direct word for the physical head of a person or an animal. It is the default anatomical term. Figuratively, it is also widely used to refer to one's mind, intellect, or a person as a unit (per head).
Mi fa male la testa.
(My head hurts.)
Il leone scuoteva la sua grande testa.
(The lion was shaking its large head.)
Per favore, usa la testa prima di agire!
(Please, use your head before acting!)
La cena costa trenta euro a testa.
(The dinner costs thirty euros per head.)
È una persona con la testa sulle spalle.
(She is a person with her head on her shoulders (i.e., she is sensible).)
Ho perso la testa per quella canzone.
(I've gone crazy for that song.)
Ha sbattuto la testa contro lo spigolo del tavolo.
(He hit his head against the corner of the table.)
Capo
B1This word can mean head as a body part, but this usage is much less common and is generally considered more formal, literary, or even archaic. It is most often found in specific fixed expressions. The primary modern meanings of capo are leader, boss, chief, or the top/end of something.
Chinò il capo in segno di riverenza.
(He bowed his head as a sign of reverence.)
Era bagnato dalla pioggia da capo a piedi.
(He was wet from the rain from head to toe.)
In chiesa, gli uomini dovrebbero avere il capo scoperto.
(In church, men should have their heads uncovered.)
Il capo reparto mi ha dato un nuovo incarico.
(The department head gave me a new assignment.)
Puoi sederti a capo della tavola.
(You can sit at the head of the table.)
Questo è un capo di abbigliamento molto costoso.
(This is a very expensive item of clothing.)
Abbiamo letto il primo capo del romanzo.
(We read the first chapter (head) of the novel.)
Summary
In essence, always use testa when talking about the physical head in everyday conversation (e.g., ho mal di testa - I have a headache). Reserve capo for the body part for specific, elevated phrases like chinare il capo (to bow one's head) or fixed expressions like da capo a piedi (from head to toe). Remember that the most frequent and primary meaning of capo is leader or boss, not the body part.