get sick
vs
be sick

QUICK ANSWER

"Get sick" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "enfermarse", and "be sick" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "estar enfermo". Learn more about the difference between "get sick" and "be sick" below.

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.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to become ill)

a. enfermarse

You're getting married today! You can't get sick!¡Te casas hoy! ¡No puedes enfermarte!

2. (to feel nausea)

a. marearse

Every time I get in a car, I get sick.Cada vez que me subo a un carro, me mareo.

3. (to vomit)

a. devolver

Robert drank a lot and got sick.Robert bebió mucho y devolvió.

b. vomitar

The smell was so nauseating that I got sick there and then.El olor era tan nauseabundo que vomité allí mismo.

be sick(

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.).

intransitive verb phrase

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.

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(to vomit)

Regionalism used in the United Kingdom

(United Kingdom)

a. vomitar

Hold on, mate. I think I'm going to be sick.Espera, amigo. Creo que voy a vomitar.

SpanishDictionary.com is the world's most popular Spanish-English dictionary, translation, and learning website.