How To Ask Are You Sick in Spanish

How to ask “are you sick?” in Spanish How to ask “are you a nurse?” in Spanish How to ask “are you sick?” in Spanish. You will also learn how to say needle and syringe in the Spanish language.

A couple of weeks ago, here in Medellin, Colombia, a friend came to visit me from the States and I heard him make a mistake with Spanish that I never heard anyone make before. But I would imagine that many people make the same mistake because the words are so easy to confuse.

How To Ask Are You a Doctor or Nurse In Spanish

 

Let’s say my friend’s name is Mike (not his real name). One evening, I introduced Mike to a Colombian friend. At first he was doing very well with his Spanish. He asked her in Spanish where did she work. She responded that she worked in a hospital and he understood her. Then I heard him ask her:

¿Usted es enferma o doctora?

Do you recognize the mistake that Mike made?

The word “enfermero/a” means “nurse.” But the word “enfermo/a” means “patient” or “sick person.” So instead of asking her is she a nurse or a doctor, he actually asked her is she a patient or a doctor.

He should have asked her:

¿Usted es enfermera o doctora?
Are you a nurse or a doctor?

How To Ask Are You Sick In Spanish

 

Here’s another helpful phrase:

¿Usted está enfermo/a?
Are you sick?

How To Say Needle and Syringe In Spanish

 

While we are on the topic of medicine, here are a couple of useful words that I have heard used in Latin America:

1. Aguja – needle

Ella prefiere que la pinchen con una aguja a tragar esa pastilla.

(She’d rather they stick a needle in her than have to swallow one of those pills).

2. Ampolla – syringe

 

El médico sacó una ampolla de antibiótico para administrárselo al enfermo.

(The doctor took out a syringe of antibiotic to administer to the sick person.)