Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sick in Spanish: Enfermo/a
Enfermo · adjective · ehn-FEHR-moh
Sick in Spanish is enfermo (masculine) or enferma (feminine). It pairs with estar (temporary state): estoy enfermo = I'm sick. The verb enfermarse means to get sick or fall ill. In Spain, estar malo/a is a casual synonym for feeling unwell.
ehn-FEHR-moh (enfermo) / ehn-FEHR-mah (enferma). Stress on the second syllable.
Estoy enfermo y no puedo ir al trabajo.
I'm sick and can't go to work.
Sick in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sick, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| enfermo | sick | ehn-FEHR-moh | Default, widely understood |
| malo/a | sick | informal: feeling unwell (estar malo) | |
| enfermarse | sick | verb: to get sick |
How Native Speakers Use Enfermo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Calling in sick
No voy a ir hoy, estoy enferma.
I'm not going today — I'm sick.
Estar enfermo/a is the standard way to report being ill.
Getting sick
Los niños se enferman seguido en invierno.
Children get sick often in winter.
Enfermarse is the reflexive verb meaning to fall ill.
Spain informal
Me siento malo, creo que me dio algo.
I feel sick — I think I caught something.
In Spain, estar malo or sentirse malo is common in casual speech for feeling unwell.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Enfermo
Using ser enfermo instead of estar enfermo
Incorrect: Soy enfermo hoy.
Correct: Estoy enfermo hoy.
Estar enfermo means you are currently sick (temporary). Ser enfermo would imply being chronically ill as a defining trait — rarely the intended meaning.
Confusing enfermo with enfermero
Incorrect: Soy enfermero. (intending: I'm sick)
Correct: Estoy enfermo. (I'm sick.) / Soy enfermero. (I'm a nurse.)
Enfermero/a means nurse. Enfermo/a means sick. They share a root but are different words with different meanings.
Lock in Sick 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 Enfermo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using enfermo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Estoy enfermo y no puedo ir al trabajo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Sick in Spanish
- How do you say sick in Spanish?
- Sick is enfermo (m.) or enferma (f.) in Spanish. Use it with estar: Estoy enfermo = I'm sick.
- How do you say to get sick in Spanish?
- Enfermarse: Me enfermé ayer (I got sick yesterday). It is reflexive in Spanish.
- What is the difference between enfermo and malo?
- Enfermo is the standard, neutral word for sick. Malo (with estar) is informal and more common in Spain: Estoy malo = I'm feeling unwell. In Latin America, enfermo is more natural.