Inklingo

How to Say "unhealthy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enfermo

en-FER-moenˈfeɾmo

adjectiveA1general
Use 'enfermo' when referring to something that is bad for your physical health or when describing someone who is physically ill.
A storybook illustration of a child lying sick in bed under a colorful blanket, looking unwell and holding a tissue to their nose.

Examples

Comer demasiada azúcar es malo para tu salud, es poco saludable.

Eating too much sugar is bad for your health, it's unhealthy.

Hoy no voy a la escuela porque estoy enfermo.

I'm not going to school today because I'm sick.

Mi gato ha estado enfermo toda la semana.

My cat has been ill all week.

Tiene una mente enferma y retorcida.

He has a sick and twisted mind.

Matches the Person/Thing it Describes

This word changes to match if you're talking about someone masculine, feminine, or a group. enfermo (masculine), enferma (feminine), enfermos (masculine plural), enfermas (feminine plural).

Use 'estar' for Being Sick

To say someone is sick right now, you almost always use the verb estar. For example, Él está enfermo. (He is sick). It describes a temporary state or condition.

Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'

Mistake: “Mi padre es enfermo.”

Correction: Mi padre está enfermo. Using 'ser' makes it sound like being sick is a permanent part of his identity, which is very rare. For the temporary state of being sick, always use 'estar'.

Forgetting to Match Gender

Mistake: “Mi hermana está enfermo.”

Correction: Mi hermana está enferma. Because 'hermana' is feminine, the word describing her must also end in '-a'.

enfermizo

en-fer-MEE-soheɱfeɾˈmiθo

adjectiveB2general
Use 'enfermizo' to describe something that is mentally or emotionally harmful, often implying an obsessive or detrimental psychological state.
A single wilted, black flower growing in a garden of bright, healthy green plants.

Examples

Tienen una relación enfermiza basada en los celos.

They have an unhealthy relationship based on jealousy.

Siente una curiosidad enfermiza por los crímenes reales.

He has a morbid curiosity about true crimes.

Su perfeccionismo es enfermizo.

His perfectionism is obsessive/unhealthy.

Abstract Use

When used with abstract nouns like 'amor' or 'curiosidad', it translates best as 'unhealthy' or 'morbid' rather than 'physically sick'.

Word Order

Physical vs. Mental Health

The most common mistake is using 'enfermo' for mental or emotional states. Remember that 'enfermo' primarily relates to physical illness or things detrimental to physical health, while 'enfermizo' is for psychological harm.

Related Translations

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