estaba enfermo
/estaba enfeɾmo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I was sick" is expressed in Spanish as estaba enfermo.
A statement used to say that you were not in good health in the past.
Which one should you use?
You should use estaba enfermo when describing being sick as a continuous state or a background condition in the past. In contrast, use estuve enfermo if you are referring to a specific, completed period of time or a sudden onset of illness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the imperfect tense (estaba) because being sick is typically viewed as a continuous state or background condition in the past. Note that if the speaker is female, the adjective must change to the feminine form estaba enferma.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaba enfeɾmo/
Did you know?
- The word enfermo is a linguistic mirror of the English word 'infirm', as both derive from the Latin 'infirmus'.
- In some contexts, enfermo can be used as a noun to describe someone who is mentally unstable or 'sick' in the head, regardless of physical health.
- In certain dialects, the phrase estaba enfermo might be replaced by estaba maluco to describe a vague, general feeling of being unwell rather than a clinical illness.
Examples in context
- Como estaba enfermo, no fui.Since I was sick, I didn't go.This sentence is useful for showing how to use estaba enfermo to provide a reason for an absence.Tatoeba #2208884 by Shishir, translation #924937 by CK
- ¿Quién te dijo que estaba enfermo?Who told you that I was sick?This sentence is useful for using estaba enfermo in a question about what someone was told.Tatoeba #1496918 by marcelostockle, translation #1495784 by CK
- Al comienzo, pensé que estaba enfermo.At first, I thought I was sick.This sentence is useful for using estaba enfermo to describe a past thought or perception.Tatoeba #1552485 by marcelostockle, translation #1417531 by CK
- Estuve enfermo/a por dos días, pero ya me siento mejor.I was sick for two days, but I'm feeling better now.
- Me encontraba mal de salud la semana pasada, pero estoy recuperándome.I was feeling unwell last week, but I'm recovering now.
- Estuve enfermo/a y no pude ir a la fiesta del sábado.I was sick and couldn't go to the party on Saturday.
- Me puse malo/a después de comer algo en mal estado.I got sick after eating something spoiled.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro explains to Elena why he missed her call yesterday.
- AlejandroPerdón por no contestar, estaba enfermo.Sorry for not answering, I was sick.
- Elena¿Estás mejor ahora, Alejandro?Are you better now, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, ya me siento bien.Yes, I feel fine now.
- ElenaQué bueno, me alegro mucho.That's good, I'm very happy to hear that.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
