Inklingo

How to Say "sick leave" in Spanish

English → Spanish

incapacidad

een-kah-pah-see-dahdinkapasiˈðad

nounB2medical/work
Use 'incapacidad' when referring to officially authorized time off work granted by a doctor due to illness or injury.
A person resting in bed with a bowl of soup and a thermometer on a nightstand.

Examples

Necesito pedir una incapacidad médica por dos semanas.

I need to request sick leave for two weeks.

El doctor me dio tres días de incapacidad.

The doctor gave me three days of sick leave.

Tuve que tramitar mi incapacidad en la oficina de recursos humanos.

I had to process my sick leave in the human resources office.

La empresa paga el sueldo completo durante la incapacidad laboral.

The company pays the full salary during work-related disability leave.

Incapacidad as an 'object'

In many countries, you don't 'go on' incapacity; the doctor 'gives' it to you ('dar la incapacidad') or you 'have' it ('estar de incapacidad').

Confusion with 'incapacity'

Mistake: “Saying 'I am on incapacity' in English.”

Correction: In English, we say 'on sick leave.' In Spanish, 'incapacidad' is the formal term for that status.

bajas

BAH-hasˈbaxas

nounB2medical/work
While 'bajas' can refer to absences from work, it's more general and often implies a more significant or widespread situation, like numerous people being out of commission, or even casualties.
Several abandoned military helmets and boots scattered on a barren ground, symbolizing casualties.

Examples

La empresa reportó un aumento en las bajas por enfermedad este invierno.

The company reported an increase in sick leave this winter.

El informe confirmó que hubo muchas bajas después del terremoto.

The report confirmed there were many casualties after the earthquake.

Tenemos que reducir las bajas escolares este año.

We have to reduce the school dropouts this year.

La empresa tiene un alto índice de bajas laborales por estrés.

The company has a high rate of sick leave due to stress.

Always Plural and Feminine

When used to mean 'casualties' or 'losses,' this word is always plural and feminine, so you must use 'las bajas' or 'muchas bajas'.

Confusing 'Baja' and 'Bajas'

Mistake: “Using 'una baja' when referring to multiple losses.”

Correction: Use 'bajas' (plural) for multiple casualties. 'Una baja' (singular) usually means a single discharge or cancellation.

Choosing Between 'Bajas' and 'Incapacidad'

Learners often confuse 'bajas' and 'incapacidad' because both relate to time off work. Remember that 'incapacidad' is for an individual's officially prescribed sick leave, while 'bajas' is a more general term for absences, often used for multiple people or a broader trend.

Related Translations

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