Inklingo

How to Say "unwell" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enferma

en-FÉR-ma/eŋˈfeɾma/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'enferma' when referring to a specific, often diagnosed, physical illness or sickness, like the flu or a cold.
A young woman lying in bed under a bright blanket, looking pale and uncomfortable, indicating she is sick.

Examples

Mi abuela está enferma con la gripe.

My grandmother is sick with the flu.

¿Estás enferma? Deberías quedarte en casa.

Are you ill? You should stay home.

Llegó a la reunión, aunque estaba visiblemente enferma.

She came to the meeting, even though she was visibly unwell.

Adjective Agreement

Since this is an adjective describing a female person or feminine thing, the word ends in '-a'. If you were talking about a male, you would use 'enfermo'.

Ser vs. Estar

Always use 'estar' (like 'she is') with 'enferma' because sickness is a temporary state or condition. Using 'ser' suggests it's a permanent part of her identity, which sounds unnatural.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Ella es enferma.”

Correction: Ella está enferma. (Using 'estar' is correct because the illness is a temporary situation, not a permanent trait.)

mala

/MAH-lah//ˈmala/

AdjectiveA2Informal
Use 'mala' for a general, less specific feeling of being unwell, often implying a mild indisposition or a general sense of 'off'.
A young girl resting in bed under a colorful blanket, looking pale and holding a tissue, indicating she is sick.

Examples

No puedo ir a la fiesta, estoy mala.

I can't go to the party, I'm sick.

Mi hermana está mala con gripe.

My sister is sick with the flu.

Se puso mala después de comer el marisco.

She got sick after eating the seafood.

Key Difference: 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

This is super important! To say someone is sick, ALWAYS use the verb 'estar'. 'Ella está mala' means 'She is sick'. If you use 'ser' ('Ella es mala'), it means 'She is a bad/evil person'. This is a classic mix-up, so be careful!

Using 'Ser' for Sickness

Mistake: “Mi madre es mala hoy.”

Correction: Say 'Mi madre está mala hoy.' Using 'es' makes it sound like you're calling your mom an evil person, when you just mean she feels unwell today.

Choosing Between 'Enferma' and 'Mala'

Learners often confuse 'enferma' and 'mala' by using 'mala' for serious illnesses. Remember that 'enferma' is for specific sicknesses, while 'mala' is more for a general, vague feeling of not being well.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.