enfermedad
/en-fer-meh-DATH/
illness
The most common meaning of enfermedad is illness or sickness, like feeling unwell in bed.
enfermedad(noun)
illness
?condition of being sick
,sickness
?general poor health
disease
?specific medical condition
,ailment
?minor illness
📝 In Action
La gripe es una enfermedad muy contagiosa.
A1The flu is a very contagious illness.
El doctor identificó la enfermedad rápidamente.
A2The doctor identified the disease quickly.
¿Qué enfermedad tiene el niño?
A1What sickness does the child have?
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule for '-dad'
Almost all Spanish nouns ending in -dad are feminine. This means you must use 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la enfermedad' (the illness).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Adjective
Mistake: "Using 'enfermedad' (noun) when you mean 'enfermo' (adjective): 'El hombre está enfermedad.'"
Correction: Use the adjective 'enfermo' (sick) instead: 'El hombre está enfermo.' 'Enfermedad' is the state of being sick.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tener vs. Sufrir
You can use 'tener una enfermedad' (to have an illness) or 'sufrir de una enfermedad' (to suffer from an illness). 'Tener' is more common in everyday speech.
Enfermedad can also refer metaphorically to a deep-rooted social ill or widespread problem.
enfermedad(noun)
social ill
?a widespread, deep-rooted problem
,blight
?something that spoils or destroys
moral sickness
?figurative description of a problem
📝 In Action
La desigualdad es la enfermedad de nuestra sociedad.
B2Inequality is the social ill of our society.
El escritor describió la corrupción como una enfermedad que consume al gobierno.
C1The writer described corruption as a blight consuming the government.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
When used figuratively, 'enfermedad' usually appears with verbs like 'consumir' (to consume) or 'afectar' (to affect), emphasizing its destructive nature on a system.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: enfermedad
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'enfermedad' in its literal (health-related) meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'enfermedad' the same as 'mal' or 'dolencia'?
They are very similar synonyms, but 'enfermedad' is the most general and common term for any sickness or disease. 'Dolencia' often implies a minor or chronic ailment, and 'mal' can be used more broadly for any bad condition, not just health.
If I want to say someone is sick, do I use 'enfermedad'?
No. 'Enfermedad' is the noun (the illness). To say someone *is* sick, you use the adjective 'enfermo' with the verb 'estar': 'Ella está enferma.' (She is sick.)