Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Disease in Spanish
Enfermedad · noun · en-fer-meh-DAHD
Enfermedad is the standard Spanish translation of disease or illness. It covers everything from common colds to chronic conditions. More specific synonyms include dolencia (ailment), padecimiento (suffering/condition), and mal (evil or malady).
en-fer-meh-DAHD
La enfermedad se propagó rápidamente por toda la región.
The disease spread rapidly throughout the region.
Disease in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for disease, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| enfermedad | disease | en-fer-meh-DAHD | Default, widely understood |
| dolencia | disease | ailment, milder condition | |
| padecimiento | disease | formal / medical usage | |
| mal | disease | literary or colloquial |
How Native Speakers Use Enfermedad
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
News context
Los científicos investigan una nueva enfermedad tropical.
Scientists are investigating a new tropical disease.
Enfermedad is the standard term in news and scientific reporting.
Doctor visit
El médico dijo que su dolencia no es grave.
The doctor said his ailment is not serious.
Dolencia implies a milder, often temporary health issue.
Literary tone
Aquel mal le consumió durante años.
That illness consumed him for years.
Mal is used in literary or dramatic registers to refer to disease.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Enfermedad
False cognate with 'decease'
Incorrect: La decease de mi abuelo fue triste.
Correct: La enfermedad de mi abuelo fue grave. / El fallecimiento de mi abuelo fue triste.
Decease (death) and disease (illness) are different English words. Enfermedad means disease; fallecimiento or muerte means death.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El enfermedad es peligroso.
Correct: La enfermedad es peligrosa.
Enfermedad is a feminine noun, so it requires the article la and feminine adjective agreement.
Lock in Disease Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Enfermedad used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using enfermedad in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La enfermedad se propagó rápidamente por toda la región. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Disease in Spanish
- What is the difference between enfermedad and dolencia?
- Enfermedad is the general term for any disease or illness. Dolencia refers to a milder ailment or chronic discomfort, often used for aches and minor conditions.
- How do you say 'heart disease' in Spanish?
- Heart disease is enfermedad cardíaca or enfermedad del corazón.
- Is padecimiento commonly used in everyday speech?
- Padecimiento is more common in formal, medical, or written contexts. In casual conversation, most speakers prefer enfermedad.