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"Be sick" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "estar enfermo", and "get sick" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "enfermarse". Learn more about the difference between "be sick" and "get sick" below.
be sick(
bi
sihk
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (to be ill)
a. estar enfermo
Kate, you should probably go home. I think you are sick.Kate, probablemente deberías regresar a casa. Creo que estás enferma.
2. (colloquial) (to vomit) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
get sick(
giht
sihk
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. enfermarse
You're getting married today! You can't get sick!¡Te casas hoy! ¡No puedes enfermarte!
3. (to vomit)
