How to Say Sick in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
Updated for 2026, knowing how to say "sick" in Spanish is crucial when you're feeling unwell or need medical assistance in a Spanish-speaking country. The word "enfermo/a" (pronounced /enˈfermo/ for masculine and /enˈferma/ for feminine) is commonly used across Spain and Latin America, but regional variations exist.
How to Say Sick in Spanish
The primary term for being sick or unwell in Spanish is "enfermo/a". This adjective must agree with the gender of the noun it modifies. For example:
- El hombre está enfermo.
- La mujer se siente enferma.
Regional Variations and Cultural Context
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →In addition to "enfermo/a", there are regional variations in how people express being sick. For instance, in Mexico, you might hear "estoy malo/a" or "tengo un resfriado". In Catalonia, Spain, the term "malalt/a" is also used.
Symptoms and Common Phrases for Talking About Being Sick
To express specific symptoms when you're sick in Spanish:
- Fiebre (febril): Fever
- Gripe (gripal): Flu
- Diarrea (diarreica): Diarrhea
- Ronquera (ronca): Sore throat
- Resfriado (resfríado): Cold
In informal contexts, you might use terms like "mareado/a" for feeling dizzy or nauseous.
Sample Sentences Using "Sick" in Spanish
To better understand how to use these phrases:
- Tengo dolor de cabeza y me siento enfermo/a.
- Mi perro está enfermo y necesito llevarlo al veterinario.
- Si te sientes mareado/a, es mejor que no manejes.
- Mi abuela se puso enferma después de comer algo que le cayó mal.
- Necesito ver a un médico/a.
- Tengo fiebre y dolor de cabeza.
- ¿Puedo tomar medicamentos para el resfriado?
(I have a headache and I feel sick.)
(My dog is sick, and I need to take him to the vet.)
(If you feel sick, it's better not to drive.)
(My grandma got sick after eating something that didn't agree with her.)
How to Ask for Medical Help When Sick in Spanish
If you need medical assistance, it's important to know how to ask for help. Here are some useful phrases:
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2,500 most common Spanish words with IPA pronunciation & bilingual example sentences