Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| indispuesto | /indisˈpwesto/ |
| hasta el queque | /asta el keke/ (from spelling rules) |
| enfermo | /enˈfeɾmo/ |
| que no se encuentra bien | /ke no se enkwentɾa bjen/ (from spelling rules) |
The term for 'unwell' varies depending on the severity of the condition and how much detail you wish to provide. You might use enfermo to describe being sick, or the euphemistic phrase que no se encuentra bien to say that someone is not feeling well without being overly specific about their ailment.
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on the intensity of the illness. indispuesto is typically used for feeling slightly unwell or having a minor ailment, whereas enfermo implies a more significant or diagnosed illness. The phrase que no se encuentra bien serves as a polite way to describe someone's poor health without providing specifics.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or polite way to state that you are feeling unwell, use indispuesto. For example, Me siento indispuesto/a is a formal expression for 'I feel unwell' or 'I feel indisposed'. Another highly formal option is the phrase No me encuentro en mi mejor momento de salud, which translates to 'I am not in the best state of health'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, it is common to use the expression estar pachucho/a to refer to feeling unwell.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives like indispuesto must agree in gender with the person being described, changing to indispuesta for a female. When using enfermo, you should use enfermo if you are male and enferma if you are female. Note that enfermo can function as both an adjective (to be sick) and a noun (a sick person).
How do you pronounce it?
/indisˈpwesto/
Did you know?
- The word queque in the phrase hasta el queque is actually a loanword from the English 'cake'.
- While enfermo refers to a clinical state, indispuesto can be used as a social shield. It allows a person to decline a formal invitation due to being 'indisposed' without disclosing their specific symptoms.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase estar pachucho/a is used to describe feeling unwell. It is an affectionate or childish expression, similar to saying someone is 'under the weather'.
Examples in context
- Estoy enfermo/a y necesito descansar.I'm unwell and I need to rest.
- No me siento bien, creo que tengo fiebre.I don't feel well, I think I have a fever.
- Me encuentro mal, tengo dolor de cabeza.I feel unwell, I have a headache.
- Me siento indispuesto/a, por lo que no podré ir a la reunión hoy.I feel unwell, so I won't be able to attend the meeting today.
- No me encuentro en mi mejor momento de salud, por lo que me gustaría tomar un día libre.I am not in the best state of health, so I would like to take a day off.
- Me siento enfermo/a y necesito descansar, por lo tanto, no podré asistir a la conferencia.I feel unwell and need to rest, therefore, I won't be able to attend the conference.
- Hoy me siento un poco indispuesto.Today I feel a little unwell.
- El jefe está indispuesto y no vendrá.The boss is unwell and will not come.
- ¿Te sientes indispuesto por algo?Are you feeling unwell because of something?
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are colleagues at the office.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿te pasa algo? Te veo pálido.Alejandro, is something wrong? You look pale.
- AlejandroSí, es que estoy algo indispuesto.Yes, it's just that I am somewhat unwell.
- LucíaLo siento mucho, deberías ir a casa.I am very sorry, you should go home.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía. Iré a descansar un poco.Thanks, Lucía. I will go rest a bit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unwell” translations and entries indispuesto, enfermo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, enfermo, hasta, no, que, queque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
