enfermedades
en-fer-meh-DAH-des
📝 In Action
Las enfermedades respiratorias aumentan en invierno.
A2Respiratory illnesses increase in the winter.
La ciencia busca curas para muchas enfermedades que afectan a la humanidad.
B1Science seeks cures for many diseases that affect humanity.
Debemos tomar medidas preventivas para reducir la propagación de enfermedades infecciosas.
B2We must take preventive measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Plural
This word is the plural form of 'enfermedad' (illness). Because 'enfermedad' is always feminine, you must use feminine words like 'las' (the) or 'estas' (these) before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "Los enfermedades"
Correction: Las enfermedades. Remember that words ending in -dad are almost always feminine in Spanish.
⭐ Usage Tips
Verbs for Suffering
When talking about having an illness, Spaniards often use the verb 'padecer' (to suffer from) or 'sufrir' (to suffer): 'Padezco muchas enfermedades.'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: enfermedades
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'enfermedades'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'enfermedades' feminine if it doesn't refer to a female person?
Nouns in Spanish have a set gender regardless of what they describe. The singular form, 'enfermedad,' ends in -dad, which is one of the most reliable clues that a noun is feminine (like 'libertad' or 'ciudad').
What is the difference between 'enfermedad' and 'mal'?
Both refer to sickness. 'Enfermedad' is the standard, clinical term (disease/illness). 'Mal' is often used for something more general, like an ache, a psychological issue, or a vague affliction ('un malestar' is a general discomfort).