A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My child is sick" in Italian
Tell Italian doctors or caretakers your son is unwell. Essential for urgent situations.
Mio figlio è malato.
MEE-oh FEE-lyoh EH mah-LAH-tohneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you need to inform a doctor, nurse, or anyone responsible for your child's care that they are sick. It's direct and clear for emergency situations.
Alternatives
- Mio figlio non sta bene.Slightly softer, implies general unwellness rather than a specific illness.
- Mio figlio ha la febbre.Use if you know your child specifically has a fever.
Ways to get it wrong
Child vs. Son
While 'bambino' means child, 'figlio' specifically means son, which is more common in this context.
Malato vs. Malicious
'Malato' means sick; it does not mean malicious or evil.
A small cultural note
Italians are generally very concerned about children's health and will likely be very attentive if you express this concern.
Frequently asked
How to say my daughter is sick in Italian?
You would say 'Mia figlia è malata.' The adjective 'malata' agrees in gender with 'figlia' (daughter).
What if my child is very sick?
You can add emphasis by saying 'Mio figlio è molto malato' (My son is very sick) or 'Mio figlio sta molto male' (My son is doing very poorly).
Is there a casual way to say my child is sick?
In very casual settings with close friends, you might say 'Il bimbo non sta bene' (The kid isn't well), but 'Mio figlio è malato' is always understood.
