A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I feel sick" in French
Express feeling unwell in French with 'Je suis malade.' Learn when to use it and common mistakes.
Je suis malade.
zhuh swee mah-LADDneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're feeling genuinely unwell, like you have a cold, the flu, or a stomach bug. It's appropriate for explaining why you can't attend a planned event or need to leave work early.
Alternatives
- Je ne me sens pas bien.Slightly softer, implies general discomfort rather than a specific illness.
- J'ai la nausée.Specifically for feeling like you might vomit.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'malade'
The final 'e' is silent, and the 'a' sound is like in 'father', not 'mad'.
Confusing 'malade' and 'mal'
'Mal' means 'bad' or 'pain', so 'malade' is the adjective meaning 'sick'.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I feel sick in French casually?
For a very casual setting with close friends, you might say 'Je suis pas bien' or 'J'suis malade'. The 'Je' is often dropped in rapid speech.
What's the difference between 'malade' and 'mal'?
'Malade' is an adjective meaning sick or ill. 'Mal' is an adverb or noun, meaning badly or pain.
Can 'Je suis malade' be used for mental sickness?
While it can sometimes be understood that way, it's more commonly used for physical illness. For mental distress, phrases like 'Je ne me sens pas bien' or more specific terms are usually preferred.
