Using the wrong verb

Since this is an adjective describing a female person or feminine thing, the word ends in '-a'. If you were talking about a male, you would use 'enfermo'.

Adjective Agreement

Always use 'estar' (like 'she is') with 'enferma' because sickness is a temporary state or condition. Using 'ser' suggests it's a permanent part of her identity, which sounds unnatural.

Ser vs. Estar

Instead of asking '¿Estás enferma?', which is direct, you can politely ask '¿Te sientes bien?' (Are you feeling well?) if you suspect someone is unwell.

A Gentle Way to Ask

Extremely common way to describe a female person who is unwell.

When used as a noun, 'enferma' requires the article 'la' (or 'una') to mean 'the patient' or 'a patient'.

Using 'La'

Common, often used in a professional or medical context.

This form 'enferma' is used when 'he, she, or it' performs the action of making someone else sick. However, it is much more common to use its reflexive form, 'enfermarse,' to mean 'to get sick' (e.g., 'Ella se enferma').

The Root Verb: Enfermar

Used when describing how something causes illness or when someone gets sick (reflexive use).

Comprehensive entry for the Spanish word 'enferma', covering its uses as an A1 adjective ('sick'), a noun ('patient'), and a B1 verb conjugation ('makes ill') of the verb 'enfermar'.

enferma

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations