অসুস্থ 30秒で
- অসুস্থ (Asustho) is the standard Bengali word for 'sick' or 'ill', used in both formal and informal contexts to describe physical or mental unwellness.
- It is an adjective formed by adding the negative prefix 'অ-' to the word 'সুস্থ', which means healthy or well.
- In Bengali, you don't need a verb like 'am/is/are' to use it in the present tense; 'আমি অসুস্থ' means 'I am sick'.
- Beyond physical health, it is often used metaphorically to describe 'sick' societies, mentalities, or competitions that are harmful or corrupt.
The word অসুস্থ (Asustho) is a fundamental Bengali adjective that translates primarily to 'sick' or 'ill' in English. It is a compound word derived from the Sanskrit prefix 'অ-' (a-), which functions as a negation, and the root word 'সুস্থ' (sustho), which means 'healthy' or 'well'. Therefore, the literal etymological meaning is 'not healthy'. This word is used universally across all Bengali-speaking regions, including West Bengal and Bangladesh, to describe a state of physical or mental unwellness. It is the most common way to inform someone that you are not feeling well, whether you have a minor cold or a more serious condition.
- Grammatical Category
- Adjective (বিশেষণ). It describes the state of a person or an animal.
- Formality
- Neutral to Formal. It is appropriate for medical contexts, professional emails, and casual conversation.
আমার মা আজ খুব অসুস্থ। (My mother is very sick today.)
In everyday use, 'অসুস্থ' covers a wide spectrum of health issues. Unlike some languages that have distinct common words for 'ill' (serious) versus 'sick' (minor), Bengali uses 'অসুস্থ' for both. However, when speaking colloquially, people might say 'শরীর খারাপ' (shorir kharap - literally 'body bad'), but 'অসুস্থ' remains the standard vocabulary for learners to master. It is also used metaphorically in formal Bengali to describe a 'sick' society or a 'sick' mentality, though this is more advanced usage.
সে অসুস্থ হয়ে হাসপাতালে ভর্তি হয়েছে। (He became sick and was admitted to the hospital.)
- Mental Health
- মানসিকভাবে অসুস্থ (Manosik-bhabe asustho) specifically refers to being mentally ill.
The word is also used in compound verbs like 'অসুস্থ হওয়া' (to become sick) and 'অসুস্থ বোধ করা' (to feel sick). Understanding this word is crucial because health is a primary topic of conversation in Bengali culture, where asking about someone's wellbeing is a standard greeting. If you miss work or school, this is the word you will use in your excuse. It is polite, clear, and unambiguous.
আপনি কি অসুস্থ বোধ করছেন? (Are you feeling sick?)
অতিরিক্ত পরিশ্রমের কারণে সে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েছে। (He has become sick due to excessive hard work.)
- Synonym comparison
- While 'পীড়িত' (pirit) is very formal/literary, 'অসুস্থ' is the standard for both speech and writing.
তার অসুস্থ বাবার সেবা করা দরকার। (It is necessary to take care of his sick father.)
Using অসুস্থ in Bengali sentences is straightforward because it follows the standard rules for adjectives. In Bengali, adjectives can be used attributively (before the noun) or predicatively (after the noun, describing the subject). Because Bengali often omits the copula (the verb 'to be') in the present tense, simple sentences like 'I am sick' are very concise. For example, 'I' is 'আমি' (ami) and 'sick' is 'অসুস্থ' (asustho). Together, 'আমি অসুস্থ' means 'I am sick'. This simplicity makes it one of the first descriptive sentences a learner masters.
- Present Tense
- [Subject] + অসুস্থ. Example: 'সে অসুস্থ' (He/She is sick).
- Past Tense
- [Subject] + অসুস্থ + [was/were]. Example: 'আমি অসুস্থ ছিলাম' (I was sick).
গতকাল আমি খুব অসুস্থ ছিলাম। (I was very sick yesterday.)
When you want to describe the process of getting sick, you use the verb 'হওয়া' (howa - to be/become). 'অসুস্থ হওয়া' means 'to fall ill'. If you want to say someone 'has become sick', you would say 'অসুস্থ হয়েছে' (asustho hoyeche). This is a common way to report someone's current state if it changed recently. Another useful verb is 'বোধ করা' (bodh kora - to feel). 'আমি অসুস্থ বোধ করছি' means 'I am feeling sick'. This is particularly useful when you start feeling symptoms but haven't fully 'fallen ill' yet.
অসুস্থ শরীরে কাজ করা কঠিন। (It is difficult to work with a sick body.)
In more complex sentences, 'অসুস্থ' can be used to modify other nouns. For instance, 'অসুস্থ শিশু' (sick child) or 'অসুস্থ সমাজ' (sick society). Notice that the word does not change its form based on gender or number in modern standard Bengali. Whether you are talking about a man, a woman, or a group of people, the word remains 'অসুস্থ'. This consistency is a relief for learners who might be used to gendered adjectives in other languages like French or Hindi.
তারা সবাই অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েছে। (They have all fallen sick.)
- Negation
- To say 'not sick', you can say 'অসুস্থ নয়' (not sick) or simply use the antonym 'সুস্থ' (healthy).
সে এখন আর অসুস্থ নয়। (He is no longer sick.)
দীর্ঘদিন অসুস্থ থাকার পর তিনি সুস্থ হয়েছেন। (After being sick for a long time, he has recovered.)
You will encounter the word অসুস্থ in a variety of real-life settings. Its most common home is in the domestic sphere. When a family member wakes up with a fever, the first thing said to others in the house is often 'ও একটু অসুস্থ' (He/She is a bit sick). It is also the standard word used in schools and workplaces. If a student is absent, the teacher will ask 'কেন আসেনি?' (Why didn't they come?), and the reply will likely be 'অসুস্থতার জন্য' (Due to illness).
- Medical Contexts
- In hospitals and clinics, doctors use 'অসুস্থ' to describe a patient's condition to their relatives.
- News Media
- News reports frequently use it when discussing the health of public figures or reporting on epidemics.
প্রধানমন্ত্রী বর্তমানে গুরুতর অসুস্থ। (The Prime Minister is currently seriously ill.)
Beyond physical health, 'অসুস্থ' is used in social and political commentary. In editorials or debates, you might hear phrases like 'অসুস্থ প্রতিযোগিতা' (unhealthy/sick competition) or 'অসুস্থ রাজনীতি' (sick politics). This refers to practices that are corrupt, harmful, or morally decayed. This metaphorical usage is very common in Bengali intellectual discourse. It implies that the situation is not functioning in a healthy, normal way.
সমাজে এমন অসুস্থ মানসিকতা পরিহার করা উচিত। (Such a sick mentality should be avoided in society.)
In literature and cinema, 'অসুস্থ' is often used to build empathy for a character. A protagonist might be 'অসুস্থ', leading to a dramatic turning point. In Bengali songs (Rabindra Sangeet or modern pop), the word might appear to describe the 'sickness' of the heart or longing, although 'ব্যথা' (pain) or 'বিরহ' (separation) are more common for romantic contexts. However, 'অসুস্থ' remains the anchor for any discussion regarding physical or mental health.
তিনি অসুস্থ থাকায় অনুষ্ঠানে যোগ দিতে পারেননি। (He could not attend the event as he was sick.)
- Classroom Setting
- Teachers use it to teach children about hygiene and staying healthy.
নোংরা জল খেলে মানুষ অসুস্থ হয়। (People become sick if they drink dirty water.)
তার অসুস্থ হওয়ার খবর শুনে আমি চিন্তিত। (I am worried hearing the news of him being sick.)
One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using অসুস্থ is trying to translate the English verb 'to be' literally. In Bengali, for a present-tense state of being, you don't use a verb. Saying 'আমি হই অসুস্থ' (I am sick) is grammatically incorrect and sounds very unnatural. You should simply say 'আমি অসুস্থ'. Another mistake is confusing the adjective 'অসুস্থ' (sick) with the noun 'অসুখ' (illness/disease). While they are related, 'অসুখ' is the thing you have, and 'অসুস্থ' is what you are.
- Mistake 1: Using 'অসুখ' as an adjective
- Incorrect: 'আমি অসুখ' (I illness). Correct: 'আমি অসুস্থ' (I am sick).
- Mistake 2: Overusing 'বিমার'
- While 'বিমার' (beemar) is used in Hindi/Urdu and some Bengali dialects, 'অসুস্থ' is the standard word for formal and standard speech.
সে অসুস্থ (Correct) vs সে অসুখ (Incorrect).
Learners also sometimes struggle with the pronunciation of the conjunct 'স্থ' (stha). It is often mispronounced as a simple 's' or 't'. It should be a blended 's' sound followed by an aspirated 'th'. Practicing this cluster is essential for being understood clearly. Furthermore, some learners use 'অসুস্থ' for things that are broken or not working, like a car or a computer. In Bengali, 'অসুস্থ' is strictly for living beings (humans, animals, plants) or metaphorical social concepts. For a broken machine, use 'খারাপ' (kharap) or 'অচল' (ochol).
আমার কম্পিউটার অসুস্থ (Incorrect) - Computers cannot be 'asustho'. Use 'খারাপ'.
Another nuance involves the word 'রোগী' (rogi). Learners sometimes use 'অসুস্থ মানুষ' (sick person) when 'রোগী' (patient) would be more appropriate in a medical context. While 'অসুস্থ মানুষ' is technically correct, 'রোগী' specifically implies someone under medical care. Lastly, be careful with the intensity. 'অসুস্থ' is a general term. If someone is dying or in a critical state, using just 'অসুস্থ' might sound like an understatement. In those cases, use 'গুরুতর অসুস্থ' (seriously ill).
সে খুব অসুস্থ। (He is very sick.) - Adding 'খুব' (very) is essential for emphasis.
- Spelling Note
- Do not forget the 'হ' (ha) at the end of the root word 'সুস্থ'. The word is 'অ-সু-স্থ'.
আমি অসুস্থ বোধ করছি। (I am feeling sick.) - Not 'আমি অসুস্থ করছি'.
While অসুস্থ is the most versatile word for 'sick', Bengali has several other words that provide more specific nuances. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker. For instance, 'পীড়িত' (pirit) is a highly formal and literary word for suffering or being ill. You will mostly find it in older literature or formal certificates. On the other end of the spectrum, 'শরীর খারাপ' (shorir kharap) is the most common colloquial expression used in daily speech.
- অসুস্থ vs শরীর খারাপ
- 'অসুস্থ' is an adjective. 'শরীর খারাপ' is a phrase meaning 'body is bad'. Both are used interchangeably in speech, but 'অসুস্থ' is better for writing.
- অসুস্থ vs রোগাক্রান্ত
- 'রোগাক্রান্ত' (rog-akranto) specifically means 'attacked by a disease'. It is used for specific medical conditions.
তিনি দীর্ঘদিন ধরে অসুস্থ। (He has been sick for a long time.)
Another alternative is 'রুগ্ণ' (rugno), which describes someone who is sickly, frail, or chronically ill. It describes a physical appearance of being unwell rather than just a temporary state of sickness. Then there is 'বিমার' (beemar), which is common in many Bengali dialects influenced by Persian/Urdu, especially in Bangladesh. While perfectly understood, 'অসুস্থ' remains the 'standard' choice for learners. If you want to describe someone who is mentally unwell in a very clinical way, you might use 'বিকারগ্রস্ত' (bikargrosto), though this is much harsher than 'মানসিকভাবে অসুস্থ'.
তার অসুস্থ মন কোনো কিছুতেই শান্ত হচ্ছে না। (His sick mind is not finding peace in anything.)
In the context of injury, 'আহত' (ahoto) is used instead of 'অসুস্থ'. If someone was in a car accident, they are 'আহত' (injured), not 'অসুস্থ'. However, if their injuries lead to a fever or infection, they then become 'অসুস্থ'. Distinguishing between 'sickness' (internal/biological) and 'injury' (external/trauma) is important. For feelings of nausea specifically, Bengalis often say 'বমি বমি ভাব' (vomit-vomit feeling) rather than just 'অসুস্থ'.
সে কি অসুস্থ নাকি শুধু ক্লান্ত? (Is he sick or just tired?)
- পীড়িত (Pirit)
- Very formal. Used in: 'শোক-পীড়িত' (grief-stricken).
- দুর্বল (Durbol)
- Means 'weak'. Often a symptom of being 'asustho'.
সে অসুস্থ হয়ে বিছানায় পড়ে আছে। (He is lying in bed, being sick.)
レベル別の例文
আমি আজ অসুস্থ।
I am sick today.
No verb 'to be' is needed in the present tense.
সে কি অসুস্থ?
Is he/she sick?
Adding 'কি' (ki) makes it a question.
আমার বন্ধু অসুস্থ।
My friend is sick.
Possessive 'আমার' (my) followed by noun and adjective.
মা অসুস্থ।
Mother is sick.
Simple subject-adjective structure.
তুমি কি অসুস্থ বোধ করছ?
Are you feeling sick?
'বোধ করা' means 'to feel'.
বিড়ালটি অসুস্থ।
The cat is sick.
The suffix '-টি' (ti) means 'the'.
আমি খুব অসুস্থ।
I am very sick.
'খুব' (khub) means 'very'.
সে অসুস্থ ছিল।
He was sick.
'ছিল' (chhilo) is the past tense of 'to be'.
অসুস্থতার কারণে সে স্কুলে আসেনি।
He didn't come to school due to illness.
'অসুস্থতার' is the genitive case of the noun 'illness'.
আমি গতকাল অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েছিলাম।
I fell sick yesterday.
'হয়ে পড়েছিলাম' means 'had fallen' (sick).
অসুস্থ মানুষকে সাহায্য করা উচিত।
Sick people should be helped.
'উচিত' (uchit) means 'should'.
সে কি অনেক দিন ধরে অসুস্থ?
Has he been sick for many days?
'ধরে' (dhore) means 'for/during'.
খাবার বাসি হলে মানুষ অসুস্থ হয়।
People get sick if food is stale.
'হলে' (hole) is a conditional 'if'.
অসুস্থ অবস্থায় বাইরে যাওয়া ঠিক নয়।
It's not right to go out in a sick state.
'অবস্থায়' (obosthay) means 'in a state'.
সে অসুস্থ ছিল, কিন্তু এখন সুস্থ।
He was sick, but now he is healthy.
Contrast between 'অসুস্থ' and 'সুস্থ'.
ডাক্তার বললেন যে তিনি অসুস্থ।
The doctor said that he is sick.
'যে' (je) is the conjunction 'that'.
আমি যদি অসুস্থ হই, তবে কে রান্না করবে?
If I get sick, then who will cook?
Conditional 'যদি... তবে' structure.
সে মানসিকভাবে কিছুটা অসুস্থ বোধ করছে।
He is feeling somewhat mentally ill.
'মানসিকভাবে' is an adverb meaning 'mentally'.
অসুস্থ বাবার সেবা করার জন্য সে ছুটি নিয়েছে।
He took leave to take care of his sick father.
'সেবা করার জন্য' means 'for the purpose of serving/caring'.
অতিরিক্ত কাজের চাপে তিনি অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েছেন।
He has fallen sick due to the pressure of extra work.
'চাপে' (chape) means 'under pressure'.
অসুস্থ অবস্থায় পরীক্ষা দেওয়া খুব কঠিন।
It is very difficult to give an exam in a sick state.
'দেওয়া' (dewa) means 'to give/take (an exam)'.
তার অসুস্থতা দিন দিন বাড়ছে।
His illness is increasing day by day.
'বাড়ছে' (barche) is the continuous form of 'to increase'.
তিনি এমন অসুস্থ যে কথা বলতে পারছেন না।
He is so sick that he cannot speak.
'এমন... যে' means 'so... that'.
অসুস্থ পাখিকে আমরা সেবা করলাম।
We cared for the sick bird.
Past tense 'করলাম'.
অসুস্থ প্রতিযোগিতার ফলে বাজারের ক্ষতি হচ্ছে।
As a result of unhealthy competition, the market is suffering.
Metaphorical use of 'অসুস্থ'.
সমাজের এই অসুস্থ মানসিকতা বদলাতে হবে।
This sick mentality of society must be changed.
'হবে' (hobe) indicates necessity here.
তিনি গুরুতর অসুস্থ হয়ে হাসপাতালে ভর্তি আছেন।
He is seriously ill and admitted to the hospital.
'ভর্তি আছেন' means 'is admitted'.
অসুস্থ হওয়ার ভয়ে সে বাইরের খাবার খায় না।
He doesn't eat outside food for fear of falling sick.
'ভয়ে' (bhoye) means 'out of fear'.
তার অসুস্থ শরীর নিয়ে তিনি আর কাজ করতে পারছেন না।
With his sick body, he can no longer work.
'নিয়ে' (niye) means 'with/taking'.
অসুস্থতা সত্ত্বেও তিনি সভায় উপস্থিত ছিলেন।
Despite illness, he was present at the meeting.
'সত্ত্বেও' (sotte-o) means 'despite'.
তিনি মানসিকভাবে অসুস্থ বলে তাকে কেউ বিশ্বাস করে না।
Because he is mentally ill, nobody believes him.
'বলে' (bole) acts as 'because' here.
অসুস্থ গাছগুলোকে জল দেওয়া দরকার।
The sick trees need to be watered.
Plural '-গুলো' (gulo) for inanimate objects/plants.
অসুস্থ রাজনীতির শিকার হয়ে দেশের উন্নয়ন থমকে গেছে।
Falling victim to sick politics, the country's development has stalled.
'শিকার হয়ে' means 'becoming a victim'.
তার অসুস্থ চিন্তাধারা তাকে অপরাধের পথে নিয়ে গেছে।
His sick mindset has led him to the path of crime.
'চিন্তাধারা' means 'mindset/thought process'.
অসুস্থ বৃদ্ধের শেষ ইচ্ছা ছিল তার নাতিকে দেখা।
The sick old man's last wish was to see his grandson.
Genitive 'বৃদ্ধের' (of the old man).
একটি অসুস্থ সমাজ কখনোই উন্নতি করতে পারে না।
A sick society can never progress.
'কখনোই না' means 'never'.
দীর্ঘদিন অসুস্থ থাকায় তার ব্যবসায় অনেক ক্ষতি হয়েছে।
Being sick for a long time caused a lot of loss in his business.
'থাকায়' (thakay) is a gerundive form meaning 'due to being/staying'.
অসুস্থ মন নিয়ে সুন্দর কিছু সৃষ্টি করা অসম্ভব।
It is impossible to create something beautiful with a sick mind.
'সৃষ্টি করা' means 'to create'.
তিনি শারীরিক ও মানসিকভাবে অত্যন্ত অসুস্থ ছিলেন।
He was extremely sick both physically and mentally.
'শারীরিক ও মানসিকভাবে' means 'physically and mentally'.
অসুস্থ পরিবেশ শিশুদের বিকাশে বাধা সৃষ্টি করে।
A sick environment creates obstacles to children's development.
'বিকাশে' means 'in development'.
রবীন্দ্রনাথের অনেক ছোটগল্পে অসুস্থ মনের সূক্ষ্ম বিশ্লেষণ পাওয়া যায়।
A subtle analysis of the sick mind is found in many of Rabindranath's short stories.
Complex passive structure 'পাওয়া যায়' (is found).
অসুস্থ সমাজকাঠামোই কি অপরাধের মূল কারণ?
Is a sick social structure the root cause of crime?
The suffix '-ই' (i) adds emphasis to 'সমাজকাঠামো' (social structure).
তিনি তার অসুস্থ অস্তিত্বের গ্লানি থেকে মুক্তি চেয়েছিলেন।
He wanted freedom from the disgrace of his sick existence.
Abstract vocabulary: 'অস্তিত্ব' (existence), 'গ্লানি' (disgrace/remorse).
অসুস্থ চেতনার বশবর্তী হয়ে তিনি এই সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছেন।
Being driven by a sick consciousness, he took this decision.
'বশবর্তী হয়ে' means 'being under the influence/control of'.
আধুনিক সভ্যতার এই অসুস্থ দিকটি আমাদের ভাবিয়ে তোলে।
This sick side of modern civilization makes us think.
'ভাবিয়ে তোলে' means 'makes (us) think'.
অসুস্থ শরীরের চেয়ে অসুস্থ মন অনেক বেশি যন্ত্রণাদায়ক।
A sick mind is much more painful than a sick body.
Comparative 'চেয়ে' (cheye) meaning 'than'.
উপন্যাসটির নায়ক এক অসুস্থ জীবনবোধের পরিচয় দেয়।
The protagonist of the novel introduces a sick philosophy of life.
'জীবনবোধ' means 'philosophy/perception of life'.
অসুস্থতা যখন শিল্পীর তুলিতে ধরা দেয়, তখন তা অনন্য হয়ে ওঠে।
When illness is captured by the artist's brush, it becomes unique.
'ধরা দেয়' means 'is captured/shows itself'.
Summary
The word 'অসুস্থ' is your essential tool for communicating health issues in Bengali. Whether you are reporting a fever or explaining an absence, this versatile adjective covers all levels of sickness and is used without a copula in the present tense (e.g., 'সে অসুস্থ' for 'He is sick').
- অসুস্থ (Asustho) is the standard Bengali word for 'sick' or 'ill', used in both formal and informal contexts to describe physical or mental unwellness.
- It is an adjective formed by adding the negative prefix 'অ-' to the word 'সুস্থ', which means healthy or well.
- In Bengali, you don't need a verb like 'am/is/are' to use it in the present tense; 'আমি অসুস্থ' means 'I am sick'.
- Beyond physical health, it is often used metaphorically to describe 'sick' societies, mentalities, or competitions that are harmful or corrupt.