Inklingo

How to Say "illness" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enfermedad

en-fer-meh-DATH/en.feɾ.meˈðað/

nounA1general
Use 'enfermedad' when referring to a specific physical or mental condition that affects a person or animal's health.
A simple storybook drawing of a teddy bear sick in bed, symbolized by a red nose and a blanket pulled up to its chin.

Examples

La gripe es una enfermedad muy contagiosa.

The flu is a very contagious illness.

El doctor identificó la enfermedad rápidamente.

The doctor identified the disease quickly.

¿Qué enfermedad tiene el niño?

What sickness does the child have?

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).

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.

mal

/mal//mal/

nounB1general
Use 'mal' when referring to a sickness, ailment, or a more abstract concept of evil or wrongdoing, often in contrast to 'bien' (good).
A balanced scale with a glowing white feather on one side and a dark, heavy rock on the other, representing the concept of good versus evil.

Examples

La película trata sobre la lucha entre el bien y el mal.

The movie is about the fight between good and evil.

No quiero hacerte ningún mal.

I don't want to do you any harm.

El doctor busca el origen del mal.

The doctor is looking for the source of the illness.

Always Masculine

When 'mal' is a noun, it's always masculine. You'll always see it with 'el' or 'un', as in 'el mal' (the evil).

Confusing it with the adverb

Mistake: “La lucha entre el bien y mal.”

Correction: La lucha entre el bien y el mal. When it's a noun representing the concept of 'evil', it needs an article like 'el' before it.

General Illness vs. Abstract Evil

Learners often confuse 'enfermedad' and 'mal' because 'mal' can mean 'sickness'. However, remember that 'enfermedad' is the standard, everyday word for a medical condition, while 'mal' is often used in more abstract or philosophical contexts, like the struggle between good and evil.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.