enfermedad
/enfeɾmeˈdad/feminine
The English word 'illness' is translated into Spanish as enfermedad.
enfermedad is used to describe a state of bad health or a disease. Depending on the specific sensation or type of illness, other words may be more appropriate. Use malestar for a general sense of being unwell, or pesadez to describe a feeling of heaviness or sluggishness. For specific ailments, resfriado is the common term for a cold, while gripe refers to influenza. If the discomfort is located in the stomach, use malestar estomacal and if you are experiencing head pain, the most common way to describe a headache is dolor de cabeza.
Meaning: a state of bad health or disease (noun)
Which one should you use?
enfermedad refers to the state of being ill or a specific disease. In contrast, the word enfermo refers to the person who is actually sick. You can describe a person as being ill by using the adjective enfermo for a male or enferma for a female.
How does it change in a sentence?
enfermedad is a feminine noun, so it is used with the feminine definite article la to mean 'the illness'. The plural form is enfermedades.
How do you pronounce it?
/enfeɾmeˈdad/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a sudden illness is sometimes attributed to mal de ojo, which translates to 'bad eye' and is similar to the English 'evil eye'.
- In a medical context, a 'patient' is called el enfermo, but in a psychological or behavioral context, calling someone un enfermo can be a harsh insult meaning they are 'perverted' or 'disturbed'.
- While enfermedad is used for medical illnesses, Spanish has a specific word morbo for a type of 'illness' or 'disease' that refers to a morbid or obsessive fascination with the gruesome.
Examples in context
- Tom oculta su enfermedad.Tom hides his illness.This sentence shows how to use enfermedad to express someone hiding an illness.Tatoeba #9978286 by manufrutos, translation #8430103 by Ergulis
- La enfermedad me impidió salir.Illness prevented me from going out.This sentence illustrates how enfermedad can be the reason for an action being prevented.Tatoeba #1292940 by marcelostockle, translation #318428 by CM
- María padece una seria enfermedad.Maria suffers from a serious illness.This sentence demonstrates how to describe someone suffering from a serious enfermedad.Tatoeba #9418548 by ignacio, translation #10333126 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Tengo una enfermedadI have an illness
- Tengo una afección pulmonarI have a lung condition
- Tengo una enfermedad leveI have a mild illness
- Tengo un malestar estomacalI have an upset stomach
- Siento una pesadez en todo el cuerpoI feel heaviness all over my body
- Tengo un resfriadoI have a cold
- Sufro de rinitis alérgicaI suffer from allergic rhinitis
- Estoy resfriado y tengo mucho catarroI have a cold and I have a lot of mucus
- Estoy con gripeI have the flu
- Tengo dolor de estómagoI have a stomachache
- Siento malestar estomacal después de comer tantoI feel stomach discomfort after eating so much
- Sufro de dolor de cabezaI suffer from headaches
- Padezco de migrañas frecuentesI suffer from frequent migraines
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking at a cafe about a friend.
- Javier¿Sabes algo de su enfermedad?Do you know anything about his illness?
- SofíaNo, pero espero que se recupere pronto.No, but I hope he recovers soon.
- JavierEspero que la enfermedad no sea grave.I hope the illness is not serious.
- SofíaYo también, Javier.Me too, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “illness” translations and entries enfermedad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
