Which one should you use?
While it primarily functions as an adjective describing a state of illness, enfermo can also be used as a noun meaning 'a sick person' or 'a patient'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial term pachucho(a) is used to describe someone who is feeling unwell.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word must agree in gender and number with the person or people being described. Use enfermo for a male, and enferma for a female. For groups, use enfermos for a group of males or a mixed-gender group and use enfermas specifically for a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈfeɾmo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying es enfermo to mean 'is sick'. Instead, use the verb estar (está) to describe the temporary state of being ill, such as in está enfermo.
Did you know?
- If you describe someone as es enfermo using the verb ser, you are not saying they have a cold but suggesting they have a sick or twisted personality.
- The word enfermo is a direct relative of the English word 'infirm', as both derive from the Latin īnfirmus, meaning 'not strong'.
- In Spanish, the word enfermo is used as a common noun in hospitals to mean 'the patient', serving as a more natural alternative to the formal term paciente.
Examples in context
- Él se ve enfermo.He seems sick.This sentence is useful for describing how someone looks while using enfermo.Tatoeba #1949991 by marcelostockle, translation #1216243 by jared1981
- Tom no está enfermo.Tom isn't sick.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is not sick using enfermo.Tatoeba #9706360 by Shishir, translation #2237015 by CK
- Mi niño está enfermo.My child is sick.This sentence is useful for describing a child who is sick using enfermo.Tatoeba #10604183 by Shishir, translation #10696154 by tokzyk
- Estoy enfermoI am sick
- Me siento malitoI feel sick
- Estoy pachuchoI'm feeling sick
- Ay, comí demasiado. Estoy empachadoOh, I ate too much. I feel sick
- Hoy no puedo ir, me siento enfermitaI can't go today, I feel sick
- 256 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is calling Lucía to explain why he cannot go to work.
- AlejandroHola, no puedo ir hoy porque estoy enfermo.Hello, I cannot go today because I am sick.
- LucíaLo siento mucho, Alejandro. ¿Tienes fiebre?I am so sorry, Alejandro. Do you have a fever?
- AlejandroSí, me siento muy enfermo.Yes, I feel very sick.
- LucíaDescansa y recupérate pronto.Rest and get well soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry enfermo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enfermo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
