estoy enfermo
/estoi enfeɾmo/from spelling rules
To say "I am ill" in Spanish, you use estoy enfermo.
The phrase estoy enfermo is a direct statement used to communicate that you are currently experiencing a sickness or a health problem. While this is a direct way to state you are ill, you might also hear or use me siento mal to say "I feel bad/unwell", which is a very common way to express that you are feeling under the weather.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the verb forms used with this phrase. Using soy enfermo would imply that being a sick person is a permanent characteristic of your identity rather than a temporary state of health. Use estoy enfermo to describe your current temporary condition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree with the gender of the speaker. If the speaker is female, the adjective changes from enfermo to enferma (e.g., estoy enferma). Additionally, to change the subject from "I" to "you" when speaking to a friend or peer, change the verb from estoy to estás (e.g., estás enfermo).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying estoy enfermo is considered too blunt, so people often use the phrase estoy indispuesto to be more polite or discreet.
- While estoy enfermo is a standard way to say you are ill, many Spanish speakers colloquially use the phrase estar pachucho to describe feeling a bit 'under the weather' or slightly unwell.
- The word enfermo shares a root with the English word 'infirm', both stemming from the Latin term for being 'not strong'.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, doctor. Estoy enfermo y necesito una consulta.Good morning, doctor. I am ill and need a consultation.
- Disculpe, pero me siento mal y necesito descansar.Excuse me, but I feel bad and need to rest.
- Señora, no me encuentro bien y me gustaría solicitar un día libre.Madam, I don't feel well, and I would like to request a day off.
- Hola, mamá. No puedo ir a la fiesta porque estoy malo.Hi, mom. I can't go to the party because I am ill.
- No puedo salir hoy, me siento pachucho.I can't go out today, I'm feeling under the weather.
- No puedo ir a trabajar, estoy hecho polvo.I can't go to work, I am feeling very unwell.
- Estoy enfermo y tengo dolor de cabezaI am ill, and I have a headache
- No puedo ir a trabajar porque estoy enfermo.I cannot go to work because I am ill.
- Me siento muy mal, estoy enfermo.I feel very bad, I am ill.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking on the phone during a work day.
- ElenaHola Alejandro, ¿cómo estás?Hello Alejandro, how are you?
- AlejandroNo estoy bien, estoy enfermo.I am not well, I am ill.
- ElenaLo siento mucho, espero que te mejores.I am very sorry, I hope you feel better.
- AlejandroGracias, Elena.Thanks, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enfermo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
