Adjective · A1 · Spanish glossary

Enfermo: sick, ill

enfermo

Pronunciation: ehn-FEHR-moh (stress the capital letters)

Enfermo means “sick, ill” in English.

Quick answer

  • Meaning: sick, ill
  • How to say it: ehn-FEHR-moh
  • Forms: enfermo, enferma, enfermos, enfermas
  • Level: Beginner (A1)

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What “enfermo” means and how to use it

Enfermo means “sick” or “ill.” It can also be a noun: un enfermo is “a sick person” or “patient.”

Forms of “enfermo”

DescribesSingularPlural
Masculineenfermoenfermos
Feminineenfermaenfermas

Adjectives agree with the noun they describe.

Examples with audio

  • Mi hijo está enfermo.My son is sick.
  • Estuve enferma toda la semana.I was sick all week.
  • Los enfermos esperan al médico.The sick people are waiting for the doctor.

Usage tip

Use estar with enfermo (estoy enfermo). The noun for illness is “enfermedad,” and a nurse is “enfermero” or “enfermera.”

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “sick, ill” in Spanish?

“sick, ill” in Spanish is “enfermo.” It is pronounced ehn-FEHR-moh, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “enfermo”?

Say ehn-FEHR-moh. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

How does “enfermo” change for feminine and plural?

The forms are “enfermo,” “enferma,” “enfermos,” and “enfermas.”

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