This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Spanish
Vocabulary
enfermedad

A1 noun #2,000 most common 7 min read

enfermedad

Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips enfermedad in 30 Seconds

Explanation enfermedad in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'enfermedad' is a basic vocabulary word used to describe being sick. Students learn that it is a feminine noun ('la enfermedad') and use it in simple sentences like 'Tengo una enfermedad' or 'La enfermedad es mala'. The focus is on recognizing the word in health-related contexts, such as visiting a doctor or explaining why someone is absent from class. You will mostly use it with the verb 'tener' (to have) and simple adjectives like 'grave' (serious) or 'común' (common). It's important to distinguish it from the adjective 'enfermo' (sick). At this stage, you don't need to know specific medical terms, just the general concept of illness.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'enfermedad' in more descriptive ways. You can talk about common illnesses like 'la gripe' (the flu) as a type of 'enfermedad'. You start using more verbs like 'curar' (to cure) or 'prevenir' (to prevent). You might describe symptoms and how an 'enfermedad' makes you feel. You also learn the plural 'enfermedades' and can talk about 'enfermedades contagiosas' (contagious diseases) in the context of basic health advice. The focus is on practical communication, such as telling a pharmacist what's wrong or understanding simple health brochures.

At the B1 level, 'enfermedad' is used to discuss more complex topics like lifestyle and health. You can talk about 'enfermedades crónicas' (chronic diseases) or 'enfermedades hereditarias' (hereditary diseases). You use the word in the subjunctive mood to express wishes or possibilities, such as 'Espero que no sea una enfermedad grave'. You also start to encounter the word in news reports about public health and can discuss the impact of an 'enfermedad' on society or the economy. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'dolencia' and you can use the word metaphorically.

At the B2 level, you can use 'enfermedad' in technical and academic discussions. You understand the nuances between 'enfermedad', 'trastorno', and 'patología'. You can discuss the 'propagación de una enfermedad' (spread of a disease) using sophisticated verbs like 'erradicar' or 'mitigar'. You are comfortable reading medical articles for the general public and can participate in debates about healthcare systems and 'seguro de enfermedad' (health insurance). You can also use the word in idiomatic expressions and understand its role in literature as a symbol of social decay or personal struggle.

At the C1 level, your use of 'enfermedad' is precise and stylistically varied. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'la enfermedad' as part of the human condition. You use the word in complex sentence structures and are aware of its legal and administrative uses, such as 'incapacidad laboral por enfermedad'. You can analyze how 'enfermedad' is portrayed in different cultural contexts and understand subtle connotations in medical ethics. Your ability to use related terms like 'morbilidad' or 'etiología' allows you to discuss health at a professional or academic level.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery of 'enfermedad' and all its derivatives. You can interpret highly specialized medical texts where 'enfermedad' might be replaced by very specific jargon. You can write persuasive essays on public health policy, using 'enfermedad' as a central concept. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its etymological connections. You can use the word with perfect register control, whether in a casual conversation, a medical symposium, or a legal proceeding. Your understanding of the word includes its deepest metaphorical and cultural layers in the Spanish-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

enfermedad in 30 Seconds

Enfermedad means illness or disease in Spanish.
It is a feminine noun (la enfermedad) ending in -dad.
Commonly used with verbs like tener, padecer, and curar.
Covers both physical and mental health conditions.

The Spanish word enfermedad is a fundamental noun that translates primarily to 'illness,' 'disease,' or 'sickness.' At its core, it describes a state of health that is not optimal, ranging from a minor cold to a chronic condition. In the Spanish-speaking world, understanding this word is crucial for navigating healthcare, expressing personal well-being, and discussing public health issues. The term is feminine (la enfermedad) and follows standard pluralization rules (las enfermedades). It encompasses both the physical and mental aspects of being unwell, making it a versatile term in both medical and everyday contexts.

Grammatical Gender: Feminine (La enfermedad). Always use feminine adjectives, such as 'enfermedad grave' or 'enfermedad crónica'.

Semantic Range: Covers everything from a common flu (gripe) to complex pathologies. It can also be used metaphorically to describe social or moral 'ills'.

La enfermedad de Alzheimer afecta a muchas personas mayores.

Historically, the word derives from the Latin 'infirmitas', which literally means 'lack of firmness' or 'weakness'. This etymological root helps us understand why the word is used not just for biological pathogens but for any state where the body or mind lacks its usual strength. In modern Spanish, while 'dolencia' or 'padecimiento' might be used in more formal or specific medical settings, 'enfermedad' remains the standard, go-to term for learners and native speakers alike.

Es importante prevenir la enfermedad con una buena dieta.

Plural Form: Enfermedades. Note the addition of '-es' and the removal of the accent mark if it were on a different syllable (though here 'enfermedad' doesn't have a written accent, its plural 'enfermedades' maintains the stress on the penultimate syllable).

Existen muchas enfermedades contagiosas en invierno.

Su enfermedad mental requiere terapia constante.

La enfermedad cardiovascular es la principal causa de muerte.

Using enfermedad correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the verbs that typically accompany it. The most common verb used with it is 'tener' (to have), as in 'tiene una enfermedad'. However, in medical contexts, you will often see 'padecer' (to suffer from) or 'contraer' (to contract). For example, 'padecer una enfermedad crónica' sounds more formal and precise than 'tener'. When discussing the spread of a disease, verbs like 'transmitir' (to transmit) or 'propagar' (to spread) are essential.

Common Verbs: Tener, padecer, sufrir, contraer, diagnosticar, curar, tratar, prevenir.

El médico diagnosticó una enfermedad rara.

Adjectives play a huge role in qualifying the type of illness. You can have an 'enfermedad infecciosa' (infectious disease), 'enfermedad hereditaria' (hereditary disease), or 'enfermedad terminal' (terminal illness). Note that the adjective always follows the noun and must agree in gender (feminine) and number. If you are talking about a specific disease by name, you usually use the structure 'la enfermedad de [Name]', such as 'la enfermedad de Parkinson' or 'la enfermedad de Crohn'.

¿Es una enfermedad contagiosa?

Prepositional Usage: Often used with 'de' to specify the type: 'enfermedad de la piel' (skin disease), 'enfermedad del corazón' (heart disease).

Lucha contra su enfermedad con mucha fuerza.

La enfermedad se extendió por todo el país.

No todas las enfermedades tienen cura.

You will encounter enfermedad in a variety of settings, from the most clinical to the most casual. In a hospital or 'centro de salud', it is the standard term used by doctors and nurses to discuss a patient's condition. On the news, you will hear it during health segments, especially when discussing outbreaks, vaccinations, or medical breakthroughs. It is also a common word in pharmaceutical advertisements, where products are sold to treat specific 'enfermedades'.

Medical Context: Consultations, medical reports, and health insurance documents. 'Historia de la enfermedad' refers to a patient's medical history regarding a specific ailment.

El informe detalla la evolución de la enfermedad.

In literature and film, 'enfermedad' is often used as a plot device or a metaphor. A character might be struggling with a 'misteriosa enfermedad', or a society might be described as having a 'enfermedad moral'. In daily conversation, while people might say 'estoy mal' or 'tengo gripe', they will use 'enfermedad' when talking about the concept of illness more broadly, such as 'La salud es lo primero, sin ella la enfermedad nos detiene'.

La enfermedad no discrimina a nadie.

Legal/Work Context: Insurance claims, labor laws, and social security benefits often use the term 'incapacidad por enfermedad'.

Pidió una baja por enfermedad de dos semanas.

La enfermedad fue erradicada gracias a las vacunas.

¿Cuál es la enfermedad más común en este país?

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing the noun enfermedad with the adjective enfermo. Remember: 'enfermedad' is the thing (the illness), while 'enfermo' is the state (being sick). You cannot say 'Yo soy una enfermedad' unless you are speaking metaphorically; you should say 'Tengo una enfermedad' or 'Estoy enfermo'. Another common mistake is the gender. Since it ends in '-dad', it is always feminine. Learners often mistakenly use 'el enfermedad'.

Gender Error: Incorrect: 'El enfermedad'. Correct: 'La enfermedad'. All nouns ending in '-dad' (like felicidad, ciudad, universidad) are feminine.

La enfermedad (not el enfermedad) es muy contagiosa.

Another nuance involves the difference between 'enfermedad' and 'dolor'. 'Dolor' means pain. While an 'enfermedad' often causes 'dolor', they are not interchangeable. You have a 'dolor de cabeza' (headache), but that is a symptom, not necessarily an 'enfermedad' (unless it's a chronic condition like migraine). Also, be careful with the plural 'enfermedades'. Some learners forget to add the 'es' and just add 's', which is incorrect for words ending in a consonant.

No confunda el síntoma con la enfermedad.

Verb Confusion: Using 'ser' with 'enfermo' implies a permanent state or a chronic condition, whereas 'estar enfermo' implies a temporary state. However, with 'enfermedad', you use 'tener'.

Ella tiene una enfermedad crónica desde niña.

Las enfermedades (not enfermedads) son difíciles de tratar.

¿Es esta enfermedad hereditaria o adquirida?

While enfermedad is the general term, Spanish offers several synonyms and related words that provide more specific shades of meaning. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand medical or formal texts. Words like 'dolencia', 'padecimiento', 'mal', and 'trastorno' all relate to being unwell but are used in different contexts.

Enfermedad vs. Dolencia: 'Enfermedad' is the clinical condition. 'Dolencia' often refers to the physical pain or the ailment as experienced by the patient, often used for minor or chronic aches.

Enfermedad vs. Trastorno: 'Trastorno' is specifically used for 'disorder', common in mental health (trastorno bipolar) or functional issues (trastorno alimenticio).

El trastorno es diferente a una infección.

'Padecimiento' comes from the verb 'padecer' (to suffer) and emphasizes the suffering aspect of the illness. 'Mal' is a very broad term that can mean 'evil' but also 'illness' or 'ailment' in expressions like 'el mal de ojo' (the evil eye) or 'un mal incurable'. In a scientific context, 'patología' is the study of diseases but is often used to refer to the disease itself in high-level medical discourse.

Sufre un padecimiento crónico de espalda.

Enfermedad vs. Afección: 'Afección' is more technical and refers to the state of an organ being affected by a disease.

Tiene una afección cardíaca leve.

El mal se extendió rápidamente.

¿Es una enfermedad o un simple síntoma?

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -dad are feminine.

Pluralizing nouns ending in consonants (add -es).

Adjective placement after the noun.

Using 'por' to express cause (por enfermedad).

Difference between 'ser' and 'estar' with health.

Examples by Level

La enfermedad es muy mala.

The illness is very bad.

Feminine noun 'la enfermedad'.

Tengo una enfermedad.

I have an illness.

Verb 'tener' + noun.

¿Qué enfermedad tienes?

What illness do you have?

Interrogative 'qué'.

No es una enfermedad grave.

It is not a serious illness.

Negative 'no' + adjective 'grave'.

La gripe es una enfermedad común.

The flu is a common illness.

Noun-adjective agreement.

Mi abuelo tiene una enfermedad.

My grandfather has an illness.

Possessive 'mi'.

Las enfermedades son feas.

Illnesses are ugly/bad.

Plural 'las enfermedades'.

Ella no viene por enfermedad.

She is not coming because of illness.

Preposition 'por'.

Es una enfermedad contagiosa.

It is a contagious disease.

Adjective 'contagiosa' agrees with feminine noun.

Debemos prevenir la enfermedad.

We must prevent the disease.

Modal verb 'deber' + infinitive.

La enfermedad duró tres días.

The illness lasted three days.

Preterite tense 'duró'.

Hay muchas enfermedades en invierno.

There are many diseases in winter.

Impersonal 'hay'.

El médico trata la enfermedad.

The doctor treats the illness.

Verb 'tratar'.

Su enfermedad no tiene cura.

His/her illness has no cure.

Possessive 'su'.

Me siento mal por la enfermedad.

I feel bad because of the illness.

Reflexive verb 'sentirse'.

¿Cómo se llama esta enfermedad?

What is this illness called?

Reflexive 'llamarse'.

Padece una enfermedad crónica.

He suffers from a chronic disease.

Verb 'padecer' is more formal than 'tener'.

Espero que la enfermedad desaparezca.

I hope the illness disappears.

Subjunctive 'desaparezca' after 'espero que'.

La enfermedad afectó su trabajo.

The illness affected his/her work.

Preterite 'afectó'.

Existen enfermedades hereditarias.

Hereditary diseases exist.

Verb 'existir'.

La enfermedad se propagó rápido.

The disease spread quickly.

Reflexive 'se propagó'.

Lucha contra una enfermedad rara.

He/she is fighting a rare disease.

Preposition 'contra'.

La enfermedad mental es importante.

Mental illness is important.

Adjective 'mental'.

No sabían qué enfermedad era.

They didn't know what illness it was.

Imperfect 'sabían' and 'era'.

La enfermedad fue erradicada.

The disease was eradicated.

Passive voice 'fue erradicada'.

Analizan la causa de la enfermedad.

They are analyzing the cause of the disease.

Verb 'analizar'.

La enfermedad tiene un origen vírico.

The disease has a viral origin.

Adjective 'vírico'.

Sufre una enfermedad degenerativa.

He/she suffers from a degenerative disease.

Adjective 'degenerativa'.

La enfermedad se manifiesta así.

The disease manifests itself this way.

Reflexive 'se manifiesta'.

Es una enfermedad de difícil diagnóstico.

It is a disease that is difficult to diagnose.

Noun phrase 'de difícil diagnóstico'.

La enfermedad impactó la economía.

The disease impacted the economy.

Verb 'impactar'.

Buscan la cura para la enfermedad.

They are looking for the cure for the disease.

Preposition 'para'.

La enfermedad es una construcción social.

Illness is a social construct.

Philosophical usage.

Pese a su enfermedad, siguió adelante.

Despite his/her illness, he/she kept going.

Conjunction 'pese a'.

La enfermedad subyacente es grave.

The underlying disease is serious.

Adjective 'subyacente'.

Se debate la ética de la enfermedad.

The ethics of illness are being debated.

Passive 'se debate'.

La enfermedad mermó sus facultades.

The illness diminished his/her faculties.

Verb 'mermar'.

Es una enfermedad de índole psíquica.

It is an illness of a psychic nature.

Phrase 'de índole'.

La enfermedad asoló a la población.

The disease devastated the population.

Verb 'asolar'.

La enfermedad es un estigma todavía.

Illness is still a stigma.

Noun 'estigma'.

La enfermedad devino en pandemia.

The disease became a pandemic.

Verb 'devenir en'.

La etiología de la enfermedad es ignota.

The etiology of the disease is unknown.

Academic terms 'etiología' and 'ignota'.

La enfermedad es el reverso de la vida.

Illness is the reverse of life.

Metaphorical usage.

La enfermedad se cebó con los débiles.

The disease took its toll on the weak.

Idiomatic 'cebarse con'.

La enfermedad es un fenómeno multicausal.

Illness is a multi-causal phenomenon.

Adjective 'multicausal'.

La enfermedad trasciende lo biológico.

Illness transcends the biological.

Verb 'trascender'.

La enfermedad es una metáfora literaria.

Illness is a literary metaphor.

Literary analysis.

La enfermedad fue el motor del cambio.

The disease was the engine of change.

Metaphorical 'motor'.

Common Collocations

enfermedad grave

enfermedad crónica

enfermedad contagiosa

enfermedad mental

enfermedad rara

enfermedad hereditaria

enfermedad terminal

contraer una enfermedad

prevenir una enfermedad

tratar una enfermedad

Common Phrases

baja por enfermedad

historia de la enfermedad

seguro de enfermedad

caer en enfermedad

enfermedad de transmisión sexual

enfermedad profesional

enfermedad del sueño

enfermedad de altura

enfermedad de la vaca loca

enfermedad de moda

Often Confused With

enfermedad vs Enfermo (Adjective vs Noun)

enfermedad vs Dolor (Pain vs Illness)

enfermedad vs Gripe (Specific vs General)

Idioms & Expressions

"ser una enfermedad (something annoying)"

"la enfermedad del olvido"

"curarse en salud"

"mala hierba nunca muere"

"estar como un roble"

"más vale prevenir que curar"

"no hay mal que cien años dure"

"salud, dinero y amor"

"tener mala salud de hierro"

"caer enfermo"

Easily Confused

enfermedad vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance 1

Enfermedad is the condition; dolencia is the pain/ailment.

nuance 2

Use 'estar enfermo' for temporary states, 'ser un enfermo' for chronic/identity.

nuance 3

In legal terms, 'enfermedad profesional' is an occupational disease.

Common Mistakes

Using 'el enfermedad' instead of 'la enfermedad'.
Confusing 'enfermedad' (noun) with 'enfermo' (adjective).
Saying 'tengo un enfermedad' (wrong gender/article).
Pluralizing as 'enfermedads'.
Using 'enfermedad' for a simple pain (use 'dolor' instead).

Tips

Gender Rule

Remember that words ending in -dad are always feminine. This applies to enfermedad, salud, and many others.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'padecer' in writing to sound more advanced than just using 'tener'.

Soft 'D'

The final 'd' in enfermedad is very soft. Practice by barely touching your teeth with your tongue.

Symptoms

Don't confuse a symptom (like fever) with the disease (like the flu).

Toasts

When people say '¡Salud!', they are literally wishing for the absence of 'enfermedad'.

Plurals

Always add -es to make it plural. 'Enfermedads' is a common mistake.

Context Clues

If you hear 'médico' or 'hospital', 'enfermedad' is likely to follow.

Word Family

Link it to 'enfermero' (nurse) to remember the root.

Collocations

Learn 'enfermedad crónica' as a single block of sound.

Daily Life

Try to name one 'enfermedad' in Spanish every time you feel a bit unwell.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an INFIRM person in an INFIRMARY having an ENFERMEDAD.

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

Public healthcare covers most 'enfermedades'.

Traditional healers (curanderos) might treat 'enfermedades espirituales'.

Health is often the first thing people toast to: '¡Salud!'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"¿Cuál crees que es la enfermedad más peligrosa?"

"¿Has tenido alguna enfermedad este año?"

"¿Cómo podemos prevenir la enfermedad en invierno?"

"¿Qué haces cuando tienes una enfermedad leve?"

"¿Conoces a alguien con una enfermedad rara?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una vez que tuviste una enfermedad y cómo te sentiste.

Escribe sobre la importancia de prevenir la enfermedad.

¿Cómo afecta la enfermedad a la vida diaria de una persona?

Investiga una enfermedad y escribe un resumen en español.

Reflexiona sobre la frase: 'La salud no lo es todo, pero sin ella, todo lo demás es nada'.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Es femenino. Siempre se dice 'la enfermedad' porque termina en '-dad'.

Enfermedad es el término médico general, mientras que dolencia se refiere más al dolor o malestar sentido.

Se dice 'baja por enfermedad'.

No es común. Para un dolor de cabeza se usa 'dolor'. 'Enfermedad' es para condiciones más globales.

El plural es 'enfermedades'.

Los más comunes son tener, padecer, sufrir, contraer y curar.

Sí, es una palabra básica que se aprende al principio para hablar de salud.

Se dice 'enfermedad mental'.

Sí, se puede hablar de una 'enfermedad social' o 'enfermedad moral'.

Viene del latín 'infirmitas', que significa debilidad.