sickness em 30 segundos
- Sickness is a noun describing the general state of being unwell, often used for short-term ailments or the feeling of nausea.
- It is commonly found in phrases like 'motion sickness' and 'sickness leave,' making it vital for daily and professional communication.
- While similar to 'illness,' sickness often emphasizes the physical sensation of feeling poorly rather than a formal medical diagnosis.
- Metaphorically, it can describe social or moral corruption, showing its versatility in both literal and figurative English contexts.
The word sickness is a fundamental noun in the English language that primarily describes the state of being unwell or unhealthy. At its core, it serves as a broad umbrella term for various physical or mental ailments, but it also carries specific nuances that distinguish it from related terms like 'illness' or 'disease.' In everyday conversation, sickness is frequently used to describe the immediate feeling of being poorly, especially when that feeling involves nausea or the urge to vomit. This is why you will often hear it in compound forms such as motion sickness or sea sickness. Beyond the physical realm, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a deep-seated social problem or a feeling of intense disgust.
- General Health
- Refers to the overall condition of being ill, often used when the specific cause is not the primary focus of the sentence.
Due to widespread sickness among the staff, the office will remain closed for the rest of the week.
- Nausea and Motion
- Specifically denotes the feeling of dizziness or stomach upset caused by movement or certain physiological conditions.
Many travelers suffer from motion sickness when flying through turbulent weather conditions.
- Emotional States
- Used in phrases like 'homesickness' to describe the psychological pain of being away from a familiar place.
His sickness was more than physical; it was a deep longing for his family back in Italy.
The sickness of modern society can often be traced back to a lack of community and connection.
She took two days of sickness leave to recover from the flu that had been going around the school.
Understanding the context is key. If you are talking to a doctor, you might use 'illness.' If you are talking to a friend about feeling nauseous on a bus, 'sickness' is the perfect word. It covers everything from a minor stomach bug to the societal 'sickness' of corruption or greed. This versatility makes it one of the most essential nouns for A2 learners to master as they expand their ability to describe physical and emotional states.
Using 'sickness' correctly requires an understanding of its role as a noun and its typical collocations. It often functions as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state that someone is 'in' or 'has.' For example, 'Sickness prevented him from attending' or 'She has a history of travel sickness.' It is important to note that 'sickness' can be both a general concept (uncountable) and a specific instance of being ill (countable, though less common in the plural 'sicknesses').
- As a Subject
- When the state of being ill is the main focus of the action.
Sickness often strikes when you least expect it, especially during the winter months.
- With Prepositions
- Commonly used with 'from' to indicate the cause of an absence or a state.
He was absent from school due to sickness for three consecutive days.
- Compound Nouns
- 'Sickness' frequently combines with other nouns to create specific terms.
Morning sickness is a common symptom during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Altitude sickness can be very dangerous for mountain climbers who ascend too quickly.
The doctor is investigating the cause of her chronic sickness and fatigue.
When writing, ensure you don't confuse 'sickness' with 'sick.' 'Sick' is an adjective (I am sick), while 'sickness' is the state itself (My sickness lasted a week). Using the correct part of speech is vital for clarity. Additionally, notice how 'sickness' can be modified by adjectives like 'chronic,' 'sudden,' 'severe,' or 'mild' to provide more detail about the health condition being discussed.
You will encounter the word 'sickness' in a wide variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from casual conversations to formal administrative contexts. In the workplace, 'sickness' is a standard term used in HR policies. You might hear a manager say, 'We need to track the sickness rates in the department,' or an employee might say, 'I'm calling in to report a sickness absence.' This formal use identifies 'sickness' as a legitimate reason for not being at work.
- In the Workplace
- Used to discuss leave, benefits, and health-related absences.
The company offers a comprehensive sickness benefit package for all full-time employees.
- Travel and Transportation
- Heard on planes, boats, and buses when discussing nausea.
If you experience air sickness, please use the bags provided in the seat pocket.
- Social and Cultural Commentary
- Used metaphorically to criticize society or human behavior.
The documentary explores the sickness of greed that led to the global financial crisis.
He felt a sudden wave of sickness when he saw the extent of the damage to his home.
Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease that affects thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Whether you are filling out a form at a clinic, reading a news article about a public health crisis, or discussing your feelings with a friend, 'sickness' is a versatile word that appears across the spectrum of human experience. It is less clinical than 'pathology' and more descriptive of the human condition than 'malady.' By paying attention to where you hear it, you will notice it often acts as a bridge between the physical feeling of being unwell and the broader social implications of health and disease.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 'sickness' where 'illness' or 'disease' would be more appropriate. While they are related, they are not always interchangeable. 'Sickness' often refers to the *feeling* of being unwell (like nausea), whereas 'illness' refers to the *condition* of being unwell, and 'disease' refers to a specific *medical diagnosis* with a known cause. Misusing these can lead to confusion about whether you are talking about a symptom or a long-term condition.
- Confusing Noun and Adjective
- Using the noun 'sickness' as an adjective.
Incorrect: I feel very sickness today. (Correct: I feel very sick today.)
- Overusing the Plural
- Learners often try to pluralize 'sickness' when referring to multiple people feeling unwell.
Incorrect: There are many sicknesses in the class. (Correct: There is a lot of sickness in the class.)
- Sickness vs. Vomiting
- In American English, 'sickness' is rarely used to mean vomiting, while in British English, it is very common.
Incorrect: He had sickness all night. (Better in US: He was vomiting all night. / Acceptable in UK: He had sickness all night.)
Incorrect: The sickness of the heart. (Correct context: Heart disease or heart condition.)
Incorrect: I have a sickness in my leg. (Correct: I have a pain/injury in my leg.)
To avoid these mistakes, remember: use 'sick' for how you feel, 'sickness' for the state or for nausea, and 'disease' for serious medical conditions. Also, keep 'sickness' singular in most contexts. If you are describing a specific medical problem, 'illness' is usually the safer, more professional choice.
While 'sickness' is a common word, there are several alternatives that can add precision to your speech and writing. Depending on whether you are talking about a minor bug, a long-term condition, or a specialized feeling like nausea, choosing the right synonym is essential. Understanding the subtle differences between these words will help you sound more like a native speaker.
- Illness vs. Sickness
- 'Illness' is more formal and often used for long-term health problems. 'Sickness' is more common for short-term feelings or nausea.
Comparison: 'Her sickness made her feel nauseous' vs 'Her chronic illness required daily medication.'
- Ailment
- A more formal or literary word for a minor illness or physical problem.
The elderly man suffered from several minor ailments typical of his age.
- Malady
- A formal, somewhat old-fashioned word for a disease or ailment, often used metaphorically.
Corruption is a malady that infects every level of the local government.
He was recovering from a bout of sickness that had laid him low for a week.
The unwellness he felt was hard to describe to the nurse.
In summary, choose 'sickness' for general unhealthiness or nausea, 'illness' for long-term conditions, 'disease' for specific medical diagnoses, and 'ailment' or 'malady' for more formal or metaphorical contexts. By diversifying your vocabulary, you can convey much more specific information about the nature and severity of a person's health status.
Exemplos por nível
He stayed home because of sickness.
Il est resté à la maison à cause de la maladie.
Noun used after 'because of'.
Sickness is not fun.
La maladie n'est pas amusante.
Subject of the sentence.
Do you have a sickness?
As-tu une maladie ?
Question form with 'do'.
The dog has a sickness.
Le chien a une maladie.
Third person singular 'has'.
She feels sickness in the car.
Elle a mal au cœur dans la voiture.
Noun as the object of 'feels'.
I don't like sickness.
Je n'aime pas la maladie.
Negative sentence with 'don't'.
Is there sickness in your family?
Y a-t-il de la maladie dans ta famille ?
Existential 'there is' in a question.
Sickness makes me tired.
La maladie me fatigue.
Sickness as a singular subject with 'makes'.
I often get motion sickness on boats.
J'ai souvent le mal de mer sur les bateaux.
Compound noun 'motion sickness'.
She took a day of sickness leave.
Elle a pris un jour de congé maladie.
Used as an attributive noun.
Morning sickness is common for mothers.
Les nausées matinales sont fréquentes chez les mères.
Compound noun as the subject.
The sickness lasted for three days.
La maladie a duré trois jours.
Definite article 'the' with 'sickness'.
He is recovering from a sudden sickness.
Il se remet d'une maladie soudaine.
Prepositional phrase 'from a...'
Is your sickness better now?
Est-ce que ta maladie va mieux maintenant ?
Possessive adjective 'your' with 'sickness'.
They missed the party due to sickness.
Ils ont raté la fête à cause d'une maladie.
Formal phrase 'due to sickness'.
Travel sickness pills can help you.
Les pilules contre le mal des transports peuvent t'aider.
Compound noun used as an adjective for 'pills'.
Homesickness can be very difficult for students.
Le mal du pays peut être très difficile pour les étudiants.
Psychological state using 'sickness'.
The company has a strict sickness policy.
L'entreprise a une politique de maladie stricte.
Workplace terminology.
He suffered from altitude sickness in the mountains.
Il a souffert du mal des montagnes.
Specific medical condition.
The sickness rate has increased this year.
Le taux de maladie a augmenté cette année.
Statistical use of the noun.
She felt a wave of sickness after the news.
Elle a ressenti une vague de nausée après la nouvelle.
Metaphorical 'wave of' with sickness.
Sickness benefits are paid by the government.
Les indemnités de maladie sont payées par le gouvernement.
Social security terminology.
There is a lot of sickness in the village.
Il y a beaucoup de maladie dans le village.
Uncountable use with 'a lot of'.
The doctor asked about her history of sickness.
Le médecin a posé des questions sur ses antécédents de maladie.
Clinical history context.
Chronic sickness can lead to social isolation.
La maladie chronique peut conduire à l'isolement social.
Adjective 'chronic' modifying 'sickness'.
The sickness of the economy is a major concern.
La maladie de l'économie est une préoccupation majeure.
Metaphorical use for abstract concepts.
He was prone to sickness throughout his childhood.
Il était sujet à la maladie tout au long de son enfance.
Phrase 'prone to sickness'.
The report highlights the sickness in urban areas.
Le rapport met en évidence la maladie dans les zones urbaines.
Formal reporting context.
She battled through sickness to finish the race.
Elle s'est battue contre la maladie pour finir la course.
Preposition 'through' indicating endurance.
The sickness among the cattle was devastating.
La maladie parmi le bétail a été dévastatrice.
Use in veterinary/agricultural context.
Her sickness was a mystery to the local doctors.
Sa maladie était un mystère pour les médecins locaux.
Noun as the subject of a mystery.
Sickness absence is costing the country millions.
L'absentéisme pour maladie coûte des millions au pays.
Economic impact terminology.
The novel explores the sickness of the human soul.
Le roman explore la maladie de l'âme humaine.
Literary and philosophical use.
There is a pervasive sickness in the political system.
Il y a une maladie omniprésente dans le système politique.
Adjective 'pervasive' adding intensity.
Sickness is often a social construct in literature.
La maladie est souvent une construction sociale en littérature.
Academic/Sociological context.
The sheer sickness of the crime shocked the nation.
La pure horreur du crime a choqué la nation.
Use of 'sickness' to mean depravity/evil.
He experienced a profound sickness of spirit.
Il a vécu une profonde maladie de l'esprit.
Spiritual/Existential context.
The study analyzes sickness patterns in the 19th century.
L'étude analyse les schémas de maladie au XIXe siècle.
Historical analysis context.
Sickness can be a form of protest in certain cultures.
La maladie peut être une forme de protestation dans certaines cultures.
Anthropological observation.
The sickness of the environment is undeniable.
La maladie de l'environnement est indéniable.
Ecological metaphor.
The existential sickness of the protagonist is palpable.
La maladie existentielle du protagoniste est palpable.
High-level literary criticism.
He wrote about the moral sickness of the aristocracy.
Il a écrit sur la maladie morale de l'aristocratie.
Social critique.
The sickness was merely a manifestation of his anxiety.
La maladie n'était qu'une manifestation de son anxiété.
Psychological/Medical nuance.
A sickness of the will often leads to total inertia.
Une maladie de la volonté conduit souvent à une inertie totale.
Philosophical concept.
The physician noted a peculiar sickness in the region.
Le médecin a noté une maladie particulière dans la région.
Clinical/Narrative style.
The corruption was a sickness that ate at the heart of the city.
La corruption était une maladie qui rongeait le cœur de la ville.
Extended metaphor.
Sickness, in this context, refers to a lack of vitality.
La maladie, dans ce contexte, fait référence à un manque de vitalité.
Definitional/Analytical use.
The pervasive sickness of the era was captured in his art.
La maladie omniprésente de l'époque était capturée dans son art.
Art history context.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— A promise made in wedding vows to stay together always. It means being loyal through good and bad times.
They promised to love each other in sickness and in health.
— To telephone your workplace to say you are too ill to work. It is a standard professional procedure.
I need to call in with sickness this morning because I have the flu.
— A short period of time during which you are ill. It usually refers to a specific episode.
He is recovering from a nasty bout of sickness.
— Money paid to an employee while they are unable to work due to health. It is often part of a contract.
Does your company offer full sickness pay?
— Symptoms or indicators that someone is becoming ill. It is often used by parents or doctors.
Look out for early signs of sickness like a fever.
Summary
Sickness is an essential A2 noun that covers everything from a simple stomach bug to societal issues. Remember: you *feel* sick (adjective), but you *have* a sickness (noun). It is the standard term for nausea in travel and for health-related absences at work.
- Sickness is a noun describing the general state of being unwell, often used for short-term ailments or the feeling of nausea.
- It is commonly found in phrases like 'motion sickness' and 'sickness leave,' making it vital for daily and professional communication.
- While similar to 'illness,' sickness often emphasizes the physical sensation of feeling poorly rather than a formal medical diagnosis.
- Metaphorically, it can describe social or moral corruption, showing its versatility in both literal and figurative English contexts.
Exemplo
She couldn't come to work due to sudden sickness.
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Mais palavras de health
ache
A2Uma dor contínua e surda. / Um sentimento profundo de anseio ou tristeza.
chemist
A2Uma pessoa qualificada para preparar e dispensar medicamentos. Um cientista especializado em química.
Consultation
B2Uma reunião com um especialista para buscar aconselhamento. O ato de discutir algo antes de tomar uma decisão.
doctor
A1Um médico é uma pessoa treinada em medicina. O doutor examinou o paciente e deu-lhe um diagnóstico.
exercise
A2O exercício físico é importante para o corpo.
fat
A2Gordo (pessoa/animal) ou gorduroso (comida).
healthy
A2Saudável. Beber muita água é um hábito saudável.
hospital
A1O hospital foi recentemente renovado para incluir uma nova ala pediátrica de última geração.
hurt
A2Causar dor física ou ferir alguém. Também significa causar dor emocional ou prejudicar uma situação ou reputação.
ill
A2Ela ficou ill (doente) logo após as férias de verão.
