No me encuentro bien
/no me enkwentɾo bjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I am not well" is translated into Spanish as No me encuentro bien.
This phrase is used to express that you feel sick or are in poor health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I do not find myself well". The word encuentro comes from the verb encontrar, which means "to find".
Which one should you use?
A common synonymous alternative is No me siento bien, which uses the verb sentirse (to feel). You can also say No me encuentro muy bien to specify that you are not feeling very well, as adding muy (very) before bien softens the statement.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
No me encuentro bien is a formal or polished way to express your health. It is slightly more formal than the simple expression Estoy mal.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb encontrarse is used reflexively to describe a person's state of being or health.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying No me encuentro bien can be a polite way to decline a social invitation without giving a specific medical reason.
- While No me encuentro bien describes health, the base verb encontrar is also used to say you have found a lost object or encountered a person by chance.
- The word bien descends from the Proto-Italic *dwenos, which also evolved into the Latin bonus and the English word 'bonus'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, pero no me encuentro bien. ¿Podríamos posponer nuestra reunión para otro día?Excuse me, but I don't feel well. Could we postpone our meeting for another day?
- Me temo que no puedo asistir a la conferencia, no me siento bien.I'm afraid I can't attend the conference, I don't feel well.
- Oye, amigo, no me encuentro bien. ¿Podemos cancelar nuestros planes para hoy?Hey, buddy, I don't feel well. Can we cancel our plans for today?
- Sabes, hoy no me siento bien. Creo que es mejor quedarme en casa.You know, I don't feel well today. I think it's better if I stay home.
- No me encuentro demasiado bien.I don't feel too well.
- No me encuentro muy bien.I don't feel very well.
- No me siento bien del estómago.My stomach doesn't feel good.
- No me encuentro al 100.I don't feel 100%.
- No me encuentro bien hoy.I do not feel well today.
- Lo siento, no me encuentro bien.I'm sorry, I do not feel well.
Example conversation
Lucía is feeling unwell at home and Javier is checking on her.
- LucíaJavier, no me encuentro bien.Javier, I do not feel well.
- Javier¿Te duele algo, Lucía?Does something hurt, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, me duele mucho la cabeza.Yes, my head hurts a lot.
- JavierVoy a traerte un té.I am going to bring you a tea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, encuentro, me, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
