Meaning
To be in a state of illness or poor health.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'passar mal' for sudden illness and 'estar doente' for a lingering state. It's common to be very descriptive about symptoms. In Portugal, the phrase 'estar adoentado' is very common for minor illnesses. The use of 'estar a' + infinitive is standard for ongoing states. Health-related greetings are vital. Asking if someone is 'doente' is a sign of deep respect and community care. The 'Atestado Médico' (medical certificate) is a culturally significant document required for any absence from work or school due to being 'doente'.
The 'Tô' Shortcut
In casual Brazilian Portuguese, almost everyone says 'Tô doente' instead of 'Eu estou doente'.
Ser vs Estar
Using 'ser doente' can sound like you are calling yourself a 'sick person' in a mental or moral sense.
Meaning
To be in a state of illness or poor health.
The 'Tô' Shortcut
In casual Brazilian Portuguese, almost everyone says 'Tô doente' instead of 'Eu estou doente'.
Ser vs Estar
Using 'ser doente' can sound like you are calling yourself a 'sick person' in a mental or moral sense.
Melhoras!
Always say 'Melhoras!' when someone tells you they are doente. It's the most important social rule here.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'estar'.
Eu ______ doente hoje.
For 'Eu' (I), the correct form of 'estar' is 'estou'.
Which sentence is correct for a woman saying she is sick?
Choose the correct option:
'Doente' is gender-invariant and uses 'estar'.
Match the subject with the correct phrase.
Subjects: 1. Nós, 2. Você, 3. Eles
Verb and adjective must agree in number with the subject.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Por que você não foi à festa? B: Porque eu ______ ______.
The question is in the past, so the answer should use the past tense of 'estar'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'Estou doente'
Symptoms
- • Febre
- • Tosse
- • Dor
Places
- • Hospital
- • Farmácia
- • Cama
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ______ doente hoje.
For 'Eu' (I), the correct form of 'estar' is 'estou'.
Choose the correct option:
'Doente' is gender-invariant and uses 'estar'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Verb and adjective must agree in number with the subject.
A: Por que você não foi à festa? B: Porque eu ______ ______.
The question is in the past, so the answer should use the past tense of 'estar'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, it's better to say 'estou com dor de cabeça'. 'Doente' implies a more general illness like the flu.
It's both! It doesn't change. 'Ele está doente' and 'Ela está doente' are both correct.
'Enfermo' is much more formal and less common in daily conversation than 'doente'.
You can say 'Estou ficando doente'.
No, that's only for living things. For a car, say 'Meu carro está com problema'.
Yes, but often people prefer 'não estou bem' or 'estou com depressão' to be more specific.
It can mean someone is 'crazy' or 'obsessed', but be careful as it can be offensive.
Just add an 's': 'Eles estão doentes'.
No, Portuguese is pro-drop. 'Estou doente' is perfect.
'Estou doente e não poderei ir trabalhar hoje. Enviarei o atestado em breve.'
Related Phrases
passar mal
similarTo feel sick suddenly
estar com febre
specialized formTo have a fever
ter uma doença
builds onTo have a disease
estar saudável
contrastTo be healthy
melhoras
similarGet well soon
