estar enfermo
/estaɾ enfeɾmo/from spelling rules
To be sick in Spanish is estar enfermo.
The phrase is used to express that someone is ill. While estar enfermo specifically means to be ill, you can also use sentirse mal to say that one is feeling sick or unwell.
Meaning: to be ill (verb)
Which one should you use?
You should use the verb estar rather than ser to express being sick, as being ill is considered a temporary state or condition.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase ponerse malo/mala is commonly used in Spain and some Latin American countries to express the idea of becoming sick.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject. Use enferma if the person being sick is female, and use enfermos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaɾ enfeɾmo/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone enfermo can be a slang insult meaning they are 'sick' in the head or mentally unstable.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone says they are mal or malito, they might be using a diminutive to soften the news or express affection while being ill.
- The verb estar used in this phrase is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'state', as both derive from the same Latin root meaning 'to stand'.
Examples in context
- Tom debe estar enfermo.Tom must be sick.This sentence shows how to use estar enfermo to express that someone must be sick.Tatoeba #3190575 by hayastan, translation #3185556 by CK
- ¿Puede Bob estar enfermo?Can Bob be sick?This sentence uses estar enfermo to ask if someone can be sick.Tatoeba #1281571 by Shishir, translation #33237 by CN
- Mi hermano debe estar enfermo.My brother must be sick.This sentence demonstrates the use of estar enfermo to say someone must be sick.Tatoeba #1598223 by hayastan, translation #250677 by CK
- Lo siento, pero no podré asistir a la reunión mañana. Estoy enfermo.I'm sorry, but I won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow. I am sick.
- Mi tía padece de una enfermedad cardíaca.My aunt suffers from a heart condition.
- Ojalá me recupere pronto, estoy muy malo.I hope I recover soon, I'm feeling very sick.
- No podré ir al trabajo hoy, estoy indispuesto.I won't be able to go to work today, I'm feeling unwell.
- Ayer me puse muy mala después de comer esa comida.Yesterday, I got very sick after eating that food.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about why a friend missed a party.
- Mateo¿Por qué no vino Carlos?Why didn't Carlos come?
- LucíaCreo que puede estar enfermo.I think he might be sick.
- MateoEspero que no sea nada grave.I hope it is nothing serious.
- LucíaSí, ojalá que mejore pronto.Yes, I hope he gets better soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enfermo, estar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
