A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I don't feel well" in Spanish
Express feeling unwell in Spanish with this essential phrase for health emergencies or general discomfort.
No me siento bien.
NOH meh SEE-en-toh bee-ENneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're feeling sick, dizzy, or generally unwell and need to communicate it. It's perfect for telling a friend, a hotel receptionist, or a doctor you're not feeling up to par.
Alternatives
- Me encuentro mal.Slightly more formal, often used when describing a more serious condition.
- Estoy enfermo/enferma.Use this if you know you have a specific illness or are definitely sick.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'sentir' with 'sentar'
'Sentar' means 'to sit' or 'to suit,' so 'No me sento bien' would mean 'I don't sit well.'
Incorrect pronoun placement
The reflexive pronoun 'me' must come before 'siento' in this construction.
A small cultural note
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it's common to be quite expressive about physical discomfort. Don't hesitate to use this phrase if you genuinely feel unwell.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'No me siento bien' and 'Estoy enfermo'?
'No me siento bien' is a general statement of not feeling well, which could be minor. 'Estoy enfermo' implies a more definite sickness.
How do I say I feel sick to my stomach?
You can say 'Me duele el estómago' (my stomach hurts) or 'Tengo náuseas' (I feel nauseous).
Can I use 'No me siento bien' if I just have a headache?
Yes, you can use 'No me siento bien' as a general statement, or be more specific by saying 'Me duele la cabeza' (my head hurts).
How do you say in Spanish "I'm not feeling well"?
You can say "No me siento bien." This is a common and direct way to express that you are not feeling well.
How do I say "I'm very sick" in Spanish?
To say "I'm very sick" in Spanish, you can use "Estoy muy enfermo" (if you are male) or "Estoy muy enferma" (if you are female).
How do you say "I feel sick" in Spanish?
You can say "Me siento enfermo" (male) or "Me siento enferma" (female). Another common phrase is "Me encuentro mal."
How do you say "I don't feel well today" in Spanish?
Say "Hoy no me siento bien." This specifically indicates that you are not feeling well on the current day.
