estar doente in 30 Seconds
- Expresses being physically unwell or sick.
- Uses the verb 'estar' for a temporary condition.
- Essential for daily communication about health.
- Requires correct conjugation of 'estar'.
The Portuguese phrase 'estar doente' is a fundamental expression used to convey that someone is unwell, sick, or not feeling their usual healthy self. It's a versatile phrase that can be used in a wide range of situations, from mild discomfort to more serious illnesses. The verb 'estar' (to be) is conjugated to match the subject, indicating the temporary state of being sick. For example, if you are sick, you would say 'Eu estou doente'. If a friend is sick, you would say 'Ele/Ela está doente'. When referring to multiple people, like 'They are sick', you would use 'Eles/Elas estão doentes'. This phrase is essential for everyday communication in Portuguese, allowing you to express your physical condition or inquire about the well-being of others.
- Basic Usage
- Used to describe a state of physical illness.
- Conjugation
- The verb 'estar' changes based on the subject: 'eu estou', 'tu estás', 'ele/ela/você está', 'nós estamos', 'vós estais', 'eles/elas/vocês estão'.
- Contexts
- Can be used for colds, flu, injuries, or any general feeling of being unwell.
I hope you are not estar doente for too long.
When you feel unwell, it's common to inform others. For instance, if you can't go to work or school, you'll likely say, 'Eu não posso ir hoje porque estou doente' (I can't go today because I am sick). In a social setting, if someone looks pale or tired, you might ask, 'Você está se sentindo bem? Você parece estar doente' (Are you feeling okay? You look like you are sick). This phrase is crucial for expressing empathy and understanding in interpersonal interactions. It's also used when discussing past illnesses, for example, 'Ontem eu estava doente, mas hoje me sinto melhor' (Yesterday I was sick, but today I feel better). The continuous tense can also be employed to describe an ongoing illness: 'Ele tem estado doente por uma semana' (He has been sick for a week). Understanding 'estar doente' is a vital step in building fluency and navigating daily conversations in Portuguese, allowing you to clearly and effectively communicate about health matters.
When someone is estar doente, they often need rest.
The phrase 'estar doente' is not limited to just physical ailments; it can also sometimes be used metaphorically, though this is less common for beginners. For example, a city might be described as 'doente' if it's suffering from a severe problem, but this is a more advanced usage. For everyday communication, focus on its literal meaning of being physically unwell. It's a polite and direct way to express your condition. When someone asks 'Como você está?', a common response if you are unwell is 'Estou um pouco doente' (I am a little sick) or 'Estou doente' (I am sick). This phrase is a cornerstone of expressing personal well-being and is frequently used in various social and professional contexts. Mastering its conjugation and usage will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Portuguese.
Using 'estar doente' correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the contexts in which it fits. As mentioned, 'estar' is the verb that conjugates. Let's look at various sentence structures and scenarios:
- Simple Affirmative
- Subject + estar (conjugated) + doente.
Eu estou doente hoje.
Translation: I am sick today.
- Simple Negative
- Subject + não + estar (conjugated) + doente.
Ela não está doente, apenas cansada.
Translation: She is not sick, just tired.
- Interrogative (Asking if someone is sick)
- Você + estar (conjugated) + doente?
O seu filho está doente?
Translation: Is your son sick?
- With Modifiers
- Adding adverbs or phrases to specify the degree or duration.
Eles estão muito doentes e precisam de repouso.
Translation: They are very sick and need rest.
Espero que você não esteja doente amanhã.
Translation: I hope you are not sick tomorrow. (Using subjunctive mood after 'espero que')
In spoken Portuguese, the phrase is used frequently. When a child falls and scrapes their knee, a parent might say, 'Coitadinho, você está doente?' (Poor thing, are you sick?). In a professional setting, if a colleague misses a meeting, you might inquire, 'O João está doente hoje?' (Is João sick today?). It's also common to hear, 'Eu estive doente a semana passada' (I was sick last week), using the compound past tense.
- Past Tense
- Using the preterite or imperfect tense of 'estar' to talk about past illnesses.
Ontem eu estava doente.
Translation: Yesterday I was sick.
Eles estavam doentes na semana passada.
Translation: They were sick last week.
- Present Continuous
- Using 'estar a estar doente' or 'estar ficando doente' for ongoing illness or becoming sick.
Ele tem estado doente há dias.
Translation: He has been sick for days.
Learning to use 'estar doente' in these various forms will allow for more nuanced and accurate communication about health in Portuguese. Practice forming sentences with different subjects and tenses to solidify your understanding.
The phrase 'estar doente' is incredibly common in everyday Portuguese conversations, appearing in a multitude of settings. You'll hear it frequently in informal chats among friends and family, when discussing daily life and well-being. For example, if you call a friend to make plans, and they can't make it, they might say, 'Não posso ir hoje, estou um pouco doente.' (I can't go today, I'm a little sick). This is a very natural and common response.
When you estar doente, it's important to rest.
In a doctor's office or a pharmacy, this phrase is central to communication. A doctor might ask, 'Como você se sente? Você está doente?' (How do you feel? Are you sick?), and the patient would respond with details about their condition, often using 'estar doente' as the baseline. News reports or public announcements might also use this phrase when discussing public health issues or epidemics, though this is a more formal context. For instance, a report might state, 'Muitas pessoas estão doentes devido a um vírus.' (Many people are sick due to a virus).
At school or work, if someone is absent, the reason is often given as 'estar doente'. A teacher might say to a parent, 'Seu filho não veio hoje, ele está doente?' (Your son didn't come today, is he sick?). Or an employer might receive an email saying, 'Não poderei ir trabalhar hoje, pois estou doente.' (I won't be able to come to work today, as I am sick). Even in casual greetings, like 'Oi, como você está?', a common reply when feeling unwell is 'Estou doente' or 'Não estou muito bem, estou doente'.
The phrase estar doente is a staple in medical consultations.
You'll also hear it in more specific contexts, like when discussing illnesses in pets. For example, 'Meu gato está doente e preciso levá-lo ao veterinário.' (My cat is sick and I need to take him to the vet). In essence, any situation where someone's physical well-being is being discussed or inquired about is a place where 'estar doente' is likely to be heard. It’s a fundamental phrase for expressing and understanding health status in Portuguese-speaking cultures.
- Common Scenarios
- Informal chats, doctor's appointments, school/work absences, health announcements, pet care discussions.
When learning 'estar doente', learners often make a few common mistakes, primarily related to verb conjugation and the choice between 'estar' and 'ser'. Understanding these pitfalls can help you avoid them and sound more natural.
- Mistake 1: Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- The most frequent error is using the wrong form of 'estar'. Forgetting to conjugate it or using the infinitive form incorrectly is common.
Incorrect: Eu estar doente.
Correct: Eu estou doente.
Explanation: 'Estar' must be conjugated to match the subject pronoun. 'Eu' requires 'estou'.
- Mistake 2: Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'
- Learners might confuse 'estar' (for temporary states) with 'ser' (for permanent characteristics or identity). While 'ser doente' is not standard for expressing current sickness, it could potentially be used in a very specific, rare context to describe a person who is chronically or habitually ill, but this is not the common meaning of 'estar doente'.
Incorrect: Ele é doente (implies a permanent condition or characteristic, not a temporary illness).
Correct: Ele está doente.
Explanation: Sickness is a temporary state, hence 'estar' is the correct verb. 'Ser' is for inherent qualities.
- Mistake 3: Omitting 'doente' or using an incorrect adjective
- Sometimes learners might use a related but not identical adjective, or omit 'doente' altogether when the meaning is clearly about being sick.
Incorrect: Eu estou mal.
Correct: Eu estou doente.
Explanation: While 'mal' can mean 'badly' or 'ill', 'estar doente' is the specific phrase for 'to be sick'. 'Eu estou mal' can sometimes mean 'I am feeling bad' in a more general sense, but 'estar doente' is precise for illness.
To avoid these mistakes, practice conjugating 'estar' for all persons and tenses. Regularly review the difference between 'estar' and 'ser'. When in doubt, think: is this a temporary state or a permanent characteristic? For illness, it's almost always a temporary state, so 'estar' is the verb to use.
While 'estar doente' is the most common and direct way to say 'to be sick' in Portuguese, there are other phrases and words that can be used depending on the context, nuance, and formality. Understanding these alternatives can enrich your vocabulary and help you express yourself more precisely.
- Estar indisposto(a)
- Meaning: To be unwell, indisposed. This is a slightly more formal or milder way of saying you're not feeling well, often suggesting a less severe condition than 'doente'.
Hoje eu me sinto um pouco indisposto.
Translation: Today I feel a bit unwell.
- Sentir-se mal
- Meaning: To feel bad, to feel unwell. This is a very common and general way to express that you are not feeling well, without specifying the exact nature of the illness.
Não saí de casa porque me senti mal ontem.
Translation: I didn't leave the house because I felt bad yesterday.
- Estar doente do estômago / Ter dor de estômago
- Meaning: To have an upset stomach / To have a stomach ache. These are specific phrases for digestive issues.
A criança está doente do estômago e vomitou.
Translation: The child has a sick stomach and vomited.
- Estar com gripe / Constipação
- Meaning: To have the flu / To have a cold. These are specific terms for common illnesses.
Ele não veio trabalhar porque está com gripe.
Translation: He didn't come to work because he has the flu.
- Estar doente (literal vs. figurative)
- While 'estar doente' primarily means to be physically sick, it can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe something that is not functioning well or is corrupted, but this is advanced usage.
Comparison: 'Ele está doente' vs. 'Ele está indisposto'.
Explanation: 'Estar doente' implies a more definite sickness, while 'estar indisposto' is often milder. 'Sentir-se mal' is more general. Using specific terms like 'gripe' or 'dor de estômago' is best when you know the exact ailment.
For beginners, 'estar doente' is the most important phrase to master. As you progress, you can incorporate 'indisposto' and 'sentir-se mal' for more nuanced expression, and specific terms for specific conditions. Remember that context is key when choosing the most appropriate phrase.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The verb 'estar' in Portuguese is particularly interesting because it's one of two verbs meaning 'to be', the other being 'ser'. 'Estar' is used for temporary states and locations, which is why it's used for being sick, as it's a temporary condition.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'estar' as 'ester' or 'está'.
- Pronouncing 'doente' with the wrong vowel sounds, e.g., 'doente' sounding like 'dente'.
- Incorrect stress placement on either word.
Difficulty Rating
The phrase 'estar doente' itself is very basic (A2 level). However, understanding its nuances in different tenses and contexts, especially with figurative meanings or in complex sentences, can increase the difficulty.
Basic usage is straightforward. Advanced usage involving subjunctive moods, compound tenses, and figurative language requires more practice.
Pronunciation and basic conjugation are manageable. Fluency comes with practicing different sentence structures and responding to questions about health.
Recognizing the phrase in everyday conversations is generally easy, but distinguishing subtle differences in meaning based on context or tone can be challenging.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Conjugation of 'estar' in the present tense.
Eu estou, tu estás, ele/ela/você está, nós estamos, vós estais, eles/elas/vocês estão.
Distinction between 'estar' (temporary states) and 'ser' (permanent characteristics).
'Ele está doente' (temporary) vs. 'Ele é médico' (permanent profession).
Use of the imperfect tense of 'estar' for past states.
Eu estava doente ontem.
Use of the preterite tense of 'estar' for completed past states.
Ele esteve doente na semana passada.
Use of the subjunctive mood after expressions of hope, doubt, or emotion.
Espero que você não esteja doente.
Examples by Level
Eu estou doente.
I am sick.
Simple present tense, first person singular of 'estar'.
Ela está doente.
She is sick.
Simple present tense, third person singular of 'estar'.
O gato está doente.
The cat is sick.
Simple present tense, third person singular of 'estar' for an animal.
Nós estamos doentes.
We are sick.
Simple present tense, first person plural of 'estar'.
Você está doente?
Are you sick?
Simple present tense, second person singular (informal 'você') of 'estar' in a question.
Ele está doente.
He is sick.
Simple present tense, third person singular of 'estar'.
Eles estão doentes.
They are sick.
Simple present tense, third person plural of 'estar'.
Estou doente, não vou trabalhar.
I am sick, I am not going to work.
Combining a statement of illness with a consequence.
Por que você está doente?
Why are you sick?
Using 'por que' to ask for a reason.
Eu estava doente ontem, mas hoje estou melhor.
I was sick yesterday, but today I am better.
Using imperfect tense ('estava') for past state and present tense ('estou') for current state.
Se você estiver doente, fique em casa.
If you are sick, stay at home.
Conditional sentence using the future subjunctive ('estiver') for 'if you are sick'.
Ela não está doente, ela está cansada.
She is not sick, she is tired.
Negating 'estar doente' and offering an alternative state.
Espero que você não esteja doente na festa.
I hope you are not sick at the party.
Using the present subjunctive ('esteja') after 'espero que'.
O médico disse que ele está doente.
The doctor said that he is sick.
Reported speech using the present tense after 'disse que'.
Eles estão doentes há uma semana.
They have been sick for a week.
Using 'há' to indicate duration of an ongoing state.
Não se preocupe, eu não estou doente.
Don't worry, I am not sick.
Using the imperative 'não se preocupe' followed by a negative statement.
Estou doente e preciso de repouso absoluto.
I am sick and need absolute rest.
Expressing the need for rest due to illness.
Ele não veio trabalhar porque esteve doente.
He didn't come to work because he was sick.
Using the preterite perfect ('esteve') to indicate a completed period of sickness in the past.
Se a criança estiver doente, não a mande para a escola.
If the child is sick, do not send them to school.
Conditional sentence with future subjunctive ('estiver').
Ela parece estar doente, está pálida.
She seems to be sick, she is pale.
Using 'parece' (seems) followed by the infinitive 'estar doente'.
O que você faz quando está doente?
What do you do when you are sick?
Asking about actions taken during illness.
Eles estavam doentes e perderam o evento.
They were sick and missed the event.
Using the imperfect tense ('estavam') to describe a past state that led to a missed event.
É importante não estar doente durante as férias.
It is important not to be sick during vacation.
Using the infinitive 'estar doente' after 'não' in an impersonal construction.
A febre indicava que ele estava doente.
The fever indicated that he was sick.
Using the imperfect tense ('estava') to describe a state in the past that was indicated by something.
Apesar de se sentir doente, ele insistiu em ir trabalhar.
Despite feeling sick, he insisted on going to work.
Using 'apesar de' (despite) followed by the infinitive with reflexive pronoun.
O surto fez com que muitas pessoas estivessem doentes.
The outbreak caused many people to be sick.
Using the subjunctive ('estivessem') after 'fez com que'.
Se ela continuar a estar doente, teremos que chamar um médico.
If she continues to be sick, we will have to call a doctor.
Using 'continuar a estar' to express ongoing illness.
O diagnóstico revelou que ele estava gravemente doente.
The diagnosis revealed that he was severely ill.
Using the imperfect tense ('estava') to describe a past state revealed by a diagnosis.
É raro que alguém esteja doente nesta época do ano.
It is rare for someone to be sick at this time of year.
Using the present subjunctive ('esteja') after 'é raro que'.
Ele tem estado doente intermitentemente nos últimos meses.
He has been intermittently sick for the past few months.
Using the present perfect continuous ('tem estado') to describe a recurring or ongoing condition.
A preocupação era que a doença se espalhasse, deixando mais pessoas doentes.
The concern was that the disease would spread, leaving more people sick.
Using the infinitive 'estar doente' as part of a gerund phrase.
Se tivéssemos sabido que ele estaria doente, teríamos reagendado.
If we had known he would be sick, we would have rescheduled.
Past conditional with future in the past ('estaria').
A precariedade das condições sanitárias contribuía para que muitos estivessem doentes.
The precariousness of the sanitary conditions contributed to many being sick.
Using the imperfect subjunctive ('estivessem') after 'contribuía para que'.
Ele se recuperou rapidamente, o que é notável considerando o quão doente esteve.
He recovered quickly, which is remarkable considering how sick he was.
Using the preterite perfect ('esteve') with an intensifier ('o quão').
A persistência dos sintomas sugere que ele não poderá continuar a estar doente por muito mais tempo sem intervenção médica.
The persistence of the symptoms suggests that he will not be able to continue being sick for much longer without medical intervention.
Complex sentence structure with infinitive phrases.
Caso o paciente venha a estar doente novamente, é imperativo que o isolamento seja rigoroso.
Should the patient become sick again, it is imperative that isolation be rigorous.
Using 'caso' (should) followed by the future subjunctive ('venha a estar') and impersonal 'imperativo'.
É inconcebível que uma nação permita que seus cidadãos estejam doentes por falta de acesso a cuidados básicos.
It is inconceivable that a nation allows its citizens to be sick due to lack of access to basic care.
Using the present subjunctive ('estejam') after 'é inconcebível que'.
As estatísticas indicavam um aumento preocupante de pessoas a estar doentes após a catástrofe.
The statistics indicated a worrying increase in people being sick after the catastrophe.
Using the gerund construction 'a estar doente'.
Se ele tivesse sabido que estaria tão doente, teria procurado ajuda mais cedo.
If he had known he would be so sick, he would have sought help earlier.
Third conditional structure with future in the past ('estaria').
A sua relutância em admitir que estava doente prolongou o sofrimento.
His reluctance to admit that he was sick prolonged the suffering.
Using the imperfect tense ('estava') in a subordinate clause after 'admitir que'.
A pathological condition rendered him incapable of functioning, effectively leaving him in a perpetual state of being doente.
A pathological condition rendered him incapable of functioning, effectively leaving him in a perpetual state of being sick.
Advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structure, using 'estar doente' in a more descriptive, almost metaphorical sense.
A epidemia, que se previa controlada, reemergiu, fazendo com que uma proporção alarmante da população viesse a estar doente.
The epidemic, which was predicted to be controlled, re-emerged, causing an alarming proportion of the population to become sick.
Sophisticated use of subjunctive and complex verb phrases ('viesse a estar').
A falta de empatia era tal que muitos se recusavam a acreditar que o colega estivesse realmente doente, atribuindo os seus sintomas a preguiça.
The lack of empathy was such that many refused to believe their colleague was truly sick, attributing his symptoms to laziness.
Imperfect subjunctive ('estivesse') used to express doubt or disbelief in a subordinate clause.
A complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors meant that she continued to be doente, despite receiving optimal medical care.
The complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors meant that she continued to be sick, despite receiving optimal medical care.
Advanced vocabulary and phrasing, using 'continuar a estar doente' in a formal medical context.
Houve um período em que a cidade inteira parecia estar doente, com hospitais a abarrotar e farmácias a esgotar os seus medicamentos.
There was a period when the entire city seemed to be sick, with hospitals overflowing and pharmacies running out of their medicines.
Using 'parecia estar doente' and the gerund construction 'a abarrotar' to describe a widespread crisis.
O seu estado de saúde era tão precário que, mesmo que não se sentisse explicitamente doente, a sua fragilidade era evidente.
His state of health was so precarious that, even if he did not explicitly feel sick, his fragility was evident.
Using the imperfect subjunctive ('sentisse') in a concessive clause.
A investigação procurava desvendar por que razão um número tão elevado de trabalhadores vinha a estar doente.
The investigation sought to uncover why such a large number of workers were becoming sick.
Using 'vinha a estar' to describe a process of becoming sick over time.
Se as autoridades tivessem agido prontamente, talvez não tivéssemos tantos a estar doentes agora.
If the authorities had acted promptly, perhaps we would not have so many sick now.
Third conditional structure with emphasis on the consequence of inaction.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— This is the most direct and common way to state that you are sick.
Não posso ir à festa, eu estou doente.
— A polite way to ask someone if they are feeling unwell.
Você parece pálido. Você está doente?
— Used to state that a third person is sick.
O João não veio trabalhar hoje. Ele está doente.
— Used when a group of people are all sick.
Toda a família está doente com o mesmo vírus.
— Used to state that a group of people (they) are sick.
Os meus amigos estão doentes e não podem viajar.
— A milder way to say you are slightly sick.
Sinto-me um pouco doente, acho que preciso de um chá.
— To emphasize that you are severely sick.
Estou muito doente, não consigo levantar da cama.
— Used to talk about being sick in the past (imperfect tense).
Ontem eu estava doente, mas hoje já me sinto melhor.
— Used to talk about becoming sick (preterite tense).
Fiquei doente depois de me molhar na chuva.
— Expressing hope that someone is not sick (subjunctive).
Espero que não esteja doente para a reunião importante.
Often Confused With
'Estar a doer' means 'to hurt' or 'to ache'. It describes a sensation of pain, not the state of being sick. For example, 'Minha cabeça está a doer' (My head is hurting).
'Estar mal' is a broader term meaning 'to be bad' or 'to be unwell'. While it can imply sickness, 'estar doente' is more specific to physical illness.
As discussed, 'ser doente' is not the standard way to express current sickness. It might imply a chronic or habitual condition in rare, specific contexts, but 'estar doente' is for temporary illness.
Idioms & Expressions
— Literally 'to have a sick body'. This idiom emphasizes a general feeling of malaise and sickness throughout the body, often used when one feels generally unwell without a specific diagnosis.
Não saio hoje, estou com o corpo doente e preciso descansar.
Informal— This idiom uses 'estar doente' figuratively to express extreme boredom, annoyance, or weariness with something. It means to be 'sick and tired of' something.
Estou doente de tanta burocracia neste país!
Informal— Literally 'to have a sick foot'. This idiom is used to describe someone who is pretending to be sick or exaggerating an ailment, usually to avoid work or responsibility.
Ele disse que estava com o pé doente para não ir à reunião, mas eu sei que ele está ótimo.
Informal/Slang— Literally 'to be sick as a dog'. This is a common idiom to express that someone is extremely sick, often with severe symptoms.
Depois daquela festa, fiquei doente como um cão.
Informal— Literally 'to be sick of the soul'. This idiom refers to a deep emotional or psychological suffering, a spiritual weariness.
Após tantos anos de luta, sentia-se doente da alma.
Literary/Formal— To play sick, to feign illness. This implies pretending to be unwell to get out of something.
Ele fez-se doente para não ter que ir trabalhar no sábado.
Informal— To be sick with worry. This idiom describes a state of intense anxiety and stress about a situation or person.
A mãe está doente de preocupação com o filho que está viajando sozinho.
Neutral— To be sick with longing or homesickness. This idiom describes a profound sense of missing someone or something.
Ele está doente de saudade da sua família e da sua terra natal.
Literary/Poetic— To be lovesick. This idiom describes the intense emotional and sometimes physical symptoms associated with being in love.
Ela anda meio pálida, acho que está doente de amor.
Literary/Poetic— To be bored to death. This idiom expresses extreme boredom and weariness with a situation.
Se não fizermos nada logo, eu vou ficar doente de tédio aqui.
InformalEasily Confused
It's an adjective, and sometimes learners might confuse it with a verb or noun.
'Doente' is the adjective meaning 'sick'. It needs to be used with a verb like 'estar' to form a complete phrase indicating a state of being sick. For example, 'estar doente'.
Eu estou 'doente' (I am 'sick').
Similar sound and root, but different grammatical function.
'Doença' is the noun meaning 'illness' or 'disease'. It refers to the condition itself, not the state of being sick. For example, 'A 'doença' é grave' (The 'illness' is serious).
Ele pegou uma 'doença' contagiosa.
Related verb, but with a different meaning.
'Adoentar' is a verb meaning 'to make sick' or 'to become sick'. It's the action of falling ill or causing sickness. 'Estar doente' is the state of already being sick.
O frio pode 'adoentar' as pessoas.
It's the auxiliary verb used in the phrase.
'Estar' is a verb meaning 'to be' and is used for temporary states, conditions, and locations. 'Estar doente' is the specific combination where 'estar' indicates the temporary state of being 'doente' (sick).
Eu 'estou' doente. (I 'am' sick).
Both mean 'not feeling well'.
'Indisposto' is generally milder and more formal than 'doente'. It means 'unwell' or 'indisposed', often suggesting a less severe or specific ailment. 'Estar doente' is a more direct term for being sick.
Eu estou 'doente' (I am sick) vs. Eu estou 'indisposto' (I am unwell/indisposed).
Sentence Patterns
Eu estou doente.
Eu estou doente e preciso de ficar na cama.
Ela está doente.
Ela está doente e não pode vir à festa.
Você está doente?
Você está doente? Precisa de um médico?
Ele estava doente.
Ele estava doente ontem, por isso não veio.
Eles estiveram doentes.
Eles estiveram doentes a semana passada, mas agora estão recuperados.
Se você estiver doente...
Se você estiver doente, é melhor descansar.
Eu tenho estado doente.
Eu tenho estado doente com esta tosse há uma semana.
Apesar de estar doente...
Apesar de estar doente, ele tentou ir trabalhar.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very high. This is a fundamental phrase for everyday communication.
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Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'.
→
Eu estou doente.
Sickness is a temporary condition, and 'estar' is used for temporary states. 'Ser' is for permanent characteristics. So, 'estar doente' is correct, not 'ser doente' for current illness.
-
Incorrect conjugation of 'estar'.
→
Ela está doente.
Forgetting to conjugate 'estar' or using the wrong form is common. 'Ela' requires 'está', not 'estar' or 'estou'.
-
Omitting 'doente' when the meaning is sickness.
→
Estou doente.
While 'Estou mal' can sometimes imply sickness, 'estar doente' is the precise phrase for being physically ill. Omitting 'doente' can lead to ambiguity.
-
Confusing 'doente' (adjective) with 'doença' (noun).
→
Eu estou doente.
'Doente' describes a person (sick person), while 'doença' refers to the illness itself (sickness/disease). You 'estar doente', but you can have a 'doença'.
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Incorrect use of tenses for past illness.
→
Eu estava doente ontem.
Using the present tense 'estou' when referring to a past illness is incorrect. The imperfect 'estava' is used for ongoing states in the past.
Tips
Mastering 'Estar'
The verb 'estar' is crucial for expressing temporary states like being sick. Always remember to conjugate it correctly for the subject: 'eu estou', 'você está', 'nós estamos', etc. Practice these conjugations regularly.
Beyond 'Doente'
While 'estar doente' is fundamental, learn related terms like 'constipado' (having a cold), 'com gripe' (having the flu), and 'sentir-se mal' (to feel unwell) to express yourself more precisely.
Stress and Vowels
Pay attention to the stress on 'es-TAR' and 'DO-en-te'. The vowel sounds in 'doente' are important for clear pronunciation. Listen to native speakers to get it right.
Asking About Health
In Portuguese culture, asking 'Como você está?' is a genuine inquiry. Responding with 'Estou doente' is a direct and expected way to communicate your health status. Be ready to ask others about their well-being too.
Visual Aids
Create a mental image: imagine someone 'standing' (estar) in 'pain' (doente) because they are sick. This visual link can help you remember the phrase and its meaning.
Sentence Building
Write sentences using 'estar doente' in different tenses (present, past, future subjunctive). This will help solidify your understanding and usage.
Real-Life Scenarios
Think about situations where you'd say 'I am sick' in your own language. Translate those scenarios into Portuguese using 'estar doente' to practice in relevant contexts.
Estar vs. Ser
A common mistake is using 'ser' instead of 'estar' for sickness. Remember, sickness is a temporary state, so 'estar' is always the correct verb here.
Figurative Meanings
Explore idioms like 'estar doente de preocupação' (sick with worry) or 'estar doente de tédio' (bored to death) to understand how 'doente' can be used figuratively.
Showing Empathy
When someone tells you they are 'estar doente', respond with concern. A simple 'Melhoras!' (Get well soon!) is a polite and common way to show you care.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine yourself 'standing' (estar) in a very uncomfortable 'painful' (doente) position because you have a terrible stomach ache. The feeling of 'standing in pain' helps remember 'estar doente'.
Visual Association
Picture a person lying in bed, looking miserable, with a thermometer in their mouth. The bed represents the state of 'estar', and the thermometer shows they are 'doente'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a time you were sick using 'estar doente' in Portuguese. Focus on conjugating 'estar' correctly for yourself and perhaps mentioning the duration or symptoms.
Word Origin
The phrase 'estar doente' is a combination of the verb 'estar' and the adjective 'doente'. 'Estar' comes from the Latin 'stāre', meaning 'to stand' or 'to be in a place'. 'Doente' derives from the Latin 'dolens', meaning 'suffering' or 'feeling pain'.
Original meaning: To be in a state of suffering pain.
Romance languages (derived from Latin).Cultural Context
When asking someone if they are 'estar doente', do so with genuine concern. Avoid being overly intrusive if the person prefers not to share details. Offering a simple 'Melhoras!' (Get well soon!) is always appropriate.
In English-speaking cultures, 'How are you?' is often a rhetorical greeting. In Portuguese, 'Como você está?' can be a genuine inquiry, and responding with 'Estou doente' is a direct and accepted way to communicate your condition.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home, talking to family about how you feel.
- Estou doente.
- Não me sinto bem.
- Tenho febre.
- Preciso descansar.
Calling in sick to work or school.
- Não posso ir hoje, estou doente.
- Preciso de tirar um dia para recuperar.
- Estou com gripe/constipação.
- Ligo para avisar que estou doente.
At the doctor's office.
- Doutor(a), estou doente.
- Sinto-me mal.
- Tenho dor de cabeça/garganta.
- Qual é o diagnóstico?
Socializing and asking about others' well-being.
- Como você está?
- Você está doente?
- Espero que não esteja doente.
- Melhoras!
Discussing past illnesses.
- Eu estava doente semana passada.
- Fiquei doente depois da chuva.
- Ele esteve doente por uma semana.
- Quando eu era criança, estava sempre doente.
Conversation Starters
"Como você está se sentindo hoje? Espero que não esteja doente."
"Você já esteve doente alguma vez com algo sério?"
"O que você costuma fazer quando está doente para se sentir melhor?"
"Se você estivesse doente, preferiria ficar em casa ou ir ao médico imediatamente?"
"É pior estar doente fisicamente ou mentalmente, na sua opinião?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva um dia em que você esteve doente. Use 'estar doente' e detalhes sobre seus sintomas.
Escreva uma carta para um amigo que está doente, desejando-lhe melhoras e usando 'estar doente' em suas frases.
Imagine que você é um médico. Escreva uma breve nota para um paciente que está doente, aconselhando-o sobre o que fazer.
Pense em uma vez que você se sentiu muito doente. Como você descreveria essa experiência usando a frase 'estar doente'?
Reflita sobre a importância da saúde. Como o fato de estar doente afeta sua vida diária?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common and direct way to say 'I am sick' in Portuguese is 'Eu estou doente'. Remember to conjugate 'estar' correctly for the subject 'eu', which is 'estou'.
You use 'estar' for temporary conditions like being sick, tired, or happy. So, 'estar doente' means to be sick right now. You would use 'ser' for more permanent characteristics, like 'Ele é saudável' (He is healthy - a general characteristic), not 'Ele é doente' for a current illness.
Primarily, 'estar doente' refers to physical sickness. For mental health issues, Portuguese speakers often use more specific terms like 'estar deprimido(a)' (to be depressed), 'estar ansioso(a)' (to be anxious), or 'ter problemas de saúde mental' (to have mental health problems). While 'estar doente' can sometimes be used metaphorically for severe emotional distress, it's not the standard term for mental health conditions.
To say 'I have a cold', you would say 'Eu estou constipado(a)' or 'Eu estou com constipação'. For 'I have the flu', you say 'Eu estou com gripe' or 'Eu estou gripado(a)'.
If you feel only a little sick, you can say 'Eu estou um pouco doente' (I am a little sick) or 'Eu não me sinto muito bem' (I don't feel very well). 'Sentir-se mal' is also a common way to express general unwellness.
Yes, you can use 'estar doente' for animals. For example, 'O meu cão está doente' (My dog is sick) or 'A minha gata está doente' (My cat is sick).
The plural form of the adjective 'doente' is 'doentes'. So, if multiple people are sick, you would say 'Eles estão doentes' (They are sick).
You can ask 'Você está doente?' (Are you sick? - informal/neutral) or 'O senhor/A senhora está doente?' (Are you sick? - formal). A more general way to inquire about well-being is 'Como você está?' (How are you?).
Yes, 'estar indisposto' is generally milder than 'estar doente'. 'Indisposto' means unwell or indisposed, often implying a less severe or specific ailment. 'Estar doente' is a more direct term for being sick.
'Estar doente de preocupação' is an idiomatic expression meaning 'to be sick with worry'. It describes a state of intense anxiety or stress about a situation.
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Summary
The phrase 'estar doente' is the standard Portuguese way to say 'to be sick' or 'to be ill'. It uses the verb 'estar' because sickness is a temporary condition. Remember to conjugate 'estar' correctly for the subject (e.g., 'eu estou', 'você está', 'nós estamos').
- Expresses being physically unwell or sick.
- Uses the verb 'estar' for a temporary condition.
- Essential for daily communication about health.
- Requires correct conjugation of 'estar'.
Mastering 'Estar'
The verb 'estar' is crucial for expressing temporary states like being sick. Always remember to conjugate it correctly for the subject: 'eu estou', 'você está', 'nós estamos', etc. Practice these conjugations regularly.
Beyond 'Doente'
While 'estar doente' is fundamental, learn related terms like 'constipado' (having a cold), 'com gripe' (having the flu), and 'sentir-se mal' (to feel unwell) to express yourself more precisely.
Stress and Vowels
Pay attention to the stress on 'es-TAR' and 'DO-en-te'. The vowel sounds in 'doente' are important for clear pronunciation. Listen to native speakers to get it right.
Asking About Health
In Portuguese culture, asking 'Como você está?' is a genuine inquiry. Responding with 'Estou doente' is a direct and expected way to communicate your health status. Be ready to ask others about their well-being too.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More health words
abaixar
A2To move (something) to a lower position.
abdómen
B1The part of the body between the chest and the pelvis; belly.
abdômen
A2The part of the body containing the digestive organs; the belly.
abortar
A2To terminate a pregnancy.
abstinência
A2The fact or practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something.
abstinente
A2Refraining from an indulgence or pleasure.
acalmar-se
A2To become quiet and less agitated.
acamado
A2Bedridden; confined to bed by illness or infirmity.
acaso
A2By chance; perhaps.
acidentar
A2To have an accident; to experience an unfortunate incident.
