enfermedad
“enfermedad” means “illness” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
illness, sickness
Also: disease, ailment
📝 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?
social ill, blight
Also: moral sickness
📝 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.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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Words that translate to "enfermedad" in Spanish:
ailment→blight→disease→illness→moral sickness→sickness→social ill→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: enfermedad
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'enfermedad' in its literal (health-related) meaning?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin 'infirmitatem,' meaning 'the state of being infirm' or 'weakness.' It combines the idea of 'not firm' (*in-* + *firmus*) with the common Spanish ending *-dad*, which turns an idea into a quality or state.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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.)