I don't feel well
in SpanishNo me siento bien
/no meh SYEN-toh byen/
This is the standard, most direct way to say you aren't feeling well. It works in any country and any social situation, from talking to a boss to telling a friend.
When you need to stay on the couch, use 'No me siento bien' to explain why.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me siento mal
/meh SYEN-toh mahl/
Literally 'I feel bad.' This is extremely common and interchangeable with 'No me siento bien,' though it sounds slightly more definitive about feeling sick.
Me encuentro mal
/meh en-KWEN-troh mahl/
Literally 'I find myself bad.' This is very common in Spain but understood everywhere.
Estoy enfermo / Estoy enferma
/ehs-TOY en-FEHR-moh / en-FEHR-mah/
Means 'I am sick.' You must change the ending to 'o' if you identify as male or 'a' if you identify as female.
Me siento fatal
/meh SYEN-toh fah-TAHL/
Means 'I feel terrible' or 'I feel awful.' It adds emphasis to your complaint.
Ando mal
/AHN-doh mahl/
Literally 'I walk bad,' but means 'I'm doing/feeling bad.' It's a casual way to express your state.
Estoy indispuesto / Estoy indispuesta
/ehs-TOY in-dis-PWEHS-toh/
Means 'I am indisposed.' It is polite and vague, often implying stomach trouble or a need for privacy without giving details.
Tengo mal cuerpo
/TEN-goh mahl KWEHR-poh/
Literally 'I have a bad body.' It describes that general 'under the weather' feeling before you get fully sick.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here is a quick guide to choosing the right phrase based on how sick you actually are.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| No me siento bien | Neutral | General usage, polite excuses, undefined symptoms | You need urgent medical attention (too mild) |
| Estoy enfermo/a | Neutral | Confirmed illness like flu, calling in sick to work | You are just tired or hungover |
| Me siento fatal | Casual | Complaining to friends, severe symptoms | Speaking formally to a boss you don't know well |
| Estoy indispuesto/a | Formal | Polite company, hiding stomach issues | Talking to close friends (sounds too stiff) |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally easy. The hardest part is blending 'No me' and 'siento' smoothly without chopping it up.
Reflexive verbs (me siento) and the difference between ser/estar (estoy enfermo) are common stumbling blocks for beginners.
Fairly straightforward, though knowing when to be specific about symptoms vs vague varies by region.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the reflexive 'me'
- Matching gender for 'enfermo/a'
💡Examples in Action
Lo siento, no puedo ir a trabajar hoy porque no me siento bien.
I'm sorry, I can't go to work today because I don't feel well.
Creo que me voy a casa, me siento un poco mal.
I think I'm going home, I feel a little bit sick.
Mamá, me duele la cabeza y me siento fatal.
Mom, my head hurts and I feel terrible.
Disculpe, estoy algo indispuesta. ¿Dónde está el baño?
Excuse me, I'm feeling a bit indisposed. Where is the restroom?
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Bad Face' Compliment
If a Spanish speaker tells you 'Tienes mala cara' (You have a bad face), don't be offended! They aren't calling you ugly. It is a common expression of concern meaning 'You look sick' or 'You look tired.' They are showing they care about your well-being.
Expressing Specific Pain
While 'no me siento bien' is a good catch-all, Spanish speakers are often very specific about what hurts immediately. Instead of just saying they feel bad, they might say 'Me duele la cabeza' (My head hurts) or 'Me duele el estómago' (My stomach hurts) right away.
The Pharmacy Culture
In many Spanish-speaking countries, pharmacists play a much larger role in medical advice than in the US or UK. If you tell a pharmacist 'No me siento bien,' they will often diagnose you and prescribe medication right over the counter without you needing to see a doctor first.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Ser' vs 'Estar'
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy enfermo' instead of 'Estoy enfermo'."
Correction: Estoy enfermo.
Using 'Bueno' instead of 'Bien'
Mistake: "Saying 'No me siento bueno'."
Correction: No me siento bien.
Forgetting the Reflexive 'Me'
Mistake: "Saying 'No siento bien' or 'Siento mal'."
Correction: No ME siento bien.
💡Pro Tips
Softening the Blow
If you don't want to sound too dramatic, add 'un poco' (a little) to the phrase: 'Me siento un poco mal' (I feel a little bad). This is great for polite excuses to leave early.
Gender Matters for Adjectives
If you use 'Estoy enfermo' or 'Estoy indispuesto,' remember to change the last 'o' to an 'a' if you are female (enferma/indispuesta). However, 'Me siento mal' and 'No me siento bien' never change, regardless of gender!
The 'Creo que' Buffer
Start your sentence with 'Creo que...' (I think that...) before saying you feel sick. 'Creo que no me siento bien' sounds softer and less abrupt than just stating it as a hard fact.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards often use 'encontrarse' (to find oneself) instead of 'sentirse' for health. 'Tengo mal cuerpo' is a very specific local phrase for general malaise.
Mexico
Mexicans often use the verb 'Andar' (to walk/go) to describe their current state: 'Ando enfermo' or 'Ando mal'. It feels more casual and temporary.
Caribbean (Cuba, PR, DR)
Pronunciation is much faster. You might hear 'Toy malo' (short for Estoy malo) in very casual speech.
💬What Comes Next?
You tell someone you don't feel well
¿Qué tienes?
What do you have? (What's wrong?)
Me duele la cabeza / Tengo fiebre.
My head hurts / I have a fever.
After you explain your symptoms
¡Que te mejores!
Get better! / Get well soon!
Gracias, voy a descansar.
Thanks, I'm going to rest.
A friend sees you look sick
Te ves pálido/a.
You look pale.
Sí, creo que algo me cayó mal.
Yeah, I think something I ate disagreed with me.
🧠Memory Tricks
The verb 'Sentirse' sounds like 'Senses'. Use it when your senses are telling you that you feel good or bad.
The word 'Enfermo' (sick) looks and sounds like 'Infirmary' (a place for sick people). If you are 'enfermo,' you belong in the infirmary!
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we use the verb 'to be' for almost everything (I am hot, I am hungry, I am sick). In Spanish, usage is split. We use 'Estar' for being sick (state), 'Sentirse' for feeling sick (perception), and 'Tener' (to have) for specific symptoms like fever, cold, or pain.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this literally as 'Te siento' sounds physical/touchy or weirdly emotional.
Use instead: Te entiendo (I understand you).
Why it's different: 'Estoy caliente' can mean 'I am horny' in many regions.
Use instead: Tengo calor (I have heat) or Tengo fiebre (I have a fever).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
Me duele la cabeza
This is the most common specific symptom you'll need to explain *why* you don't feel well.
Tengo fiebre
Essential for medical contexts and determining if you are contagious.
Que te mejores
The natural response when someone else tells YOU they don't feel well.
Necesito un médico
Critical for emergencies if 'not feeling well' turns into something serious.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I don't feel well
Question 1 of 3
You are at work and need to go home because you have the flu. Which phrase is best?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'Me siento mal' rude?
No, not at all. It is very standard. However, it is direct. If you want to be softer or more polite, you can say 'No me siento muy bien' (I don't feel very well) or 'Me siento un poco mal' (I feel a little bad).
Can I just say 'Estoy mal'?
Yes, you can. 'Estoy mal' means 'I'm doing bad.' It can refer to health, but it can also mean you are sad, depressed, or having a bad life moment. 'Me siento mal' is more specifically about your physical or emotional sensation at that moment.
What is the difference between 'enfermo' and 'malo'?
'Enfermo' specifically means sick with a disease or illness. 'Malo' (in the context of 'estar malo') implies being sick, but it's more colloquial. In some contexts, 'ser malo' means to be a bad/evil person, so always use 'estar' when talking about health!
How do I say I feel sick to my stomach specifically?
You can say 'Me siento asqueado' (I feel nauseous) or simply 'Me duele el estómago' (My stomach hurts). A common phrase for nausea is 'Tengo ganas de vomitar' (I feel like vomiting).
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