vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Se siente mal" is a phrase which is often translated as "he feels bad", and "está triste" is a phrase which is often translated as "he's sad". Learn more about the difference between "se siente mal" and "está triste" below.
se siente mal(
seh
syehn
-
teh
mahl
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he feels bad
Alberto no cumplió su promesa y se siente mal por ello.Alberto didn't keep his promise and he feels bad about it.
b. she feels bad
Se siente mal porque no fue a la boda de su hermano, pero es que estaba muy ocupada.She feels bad because she didn't go to her brother's wedding, but the thing is, she was very busy.
2. (formal) (emotionally or psychologically; often used with "por"; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you feel bad
Sé que se siente mal por lo que ocurrió, pero no fue culpa suya.I know you feel bad about what happened, but it wasn't your fault.
b. she feels bad
Isabel dice que se siente mal y que se va a casa.Isabel says that she feels bad and that she's going home.
c. feels bad
Ana se siente mal porque ha comido demasiado.Ana feels bad because she's eaten too much.
4. (formal) (physically; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you feel bad
Si se siente mal, ¿por qué no se echa un rato?If you feel bad, why don't you lie down for a while?
está triste(
ehs
-
tah
trees
-
teh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he's sad (masculine)
¿Qué le pasa a tu hermano? - Está triste porque lo dejó su novia.What's wrong with your brother? - He's sad because his girlfriend dumped him.
b. she's sad (feminine)
¿Hablaste con Andrea? Está triste porque murió su gato.Did you talk to Andrea? She's said because he cat died.
c. it's sad
Mira el mono en la jaula. ¿Crees que está triste?Look at the monkey in the cage. Do you think it's sad?
2. (formal) (you are unhappy; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).