Estou doente
In Portuguese, "I am sick" is expressed as Estou doente.
The phrase Estou doente is a statement used to express that you are currently suffering from an illness or poor health.
Which one should you use?
While Estou doente specifically implies a medical illness, Estou mal is a more general way to say you are feeling physically or mentally unwell.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar (estou) rather than ser (sou) because being sick is considered a temporary state rather than a permanent characteristic. In informal settings, Tô is a common contraction of Estou.
Did you know?
- In some Portuguese-speaking regions, estou doente can be used as a hyperbolic expression to describe someone who is 'crazy' or obsessed with something.
- In Brazil, people often use estou com followed by the name of a symptom, such as estou com gripe for 'I have the flu', rather than saying they are 'sick'.
- The word doente comes from the Latin dolentem, meaning 'hurting' or 'suffering'. This makes it a linguistic relative of the English word 'dolorous'.
Examples in context
- Como estou doente, não irei com você.As I am sick, I will not go with you.This sentence shows how to explain that you cannot go somewhere because you are sick using Estou doente.Tatoeba #2817427 by akilez, translation #2817005 by tkwswims
- Estou doente.I am sick.This is a simple way to state your condition using Estou doente.Tatoeba #729658 by brauliobezerra, translation #436427 by lukaszpp
- Não posso fumar. Estou doente.I cannot smoke. I am sick.This shows how to use Estou doente to explain a limitation, such as why you cannot smoke.Tatoeba #1837746 by nowasky, translation #1688791 by Amastan
- Estou muito doente.I am very sick.
- Não estou tão mal assim.I am not that sick.
- Só estou resfriado(a).I just have a cold.
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are talking on the phone about their plans.
- MarianaGabriel, você quer sair hoje?Gabriel, do you want to go out today?
- GabrielNão posso, Mariana. Estou doente.I can't, Mariana. I am sick.
- MarianaSinto muito. Você precisa descansar.I am sorry. You need to rest.
- GabrielSim, vou ficar na cama.Yes, I am going to stay in bed.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doente, estou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
