Chinese phrases
How to say I’m sick in Chinese
I’m sick in Chinese is 我生病了 (wǒ shēng bìng le). For something lighter, say 我不舒服 (wǒ bù shū fu), “I don’t feel well.”
我生病了
I’m sick
Ways to say I’m sick
我生病了
EverydayI’m sick
The general sentence: you are ill, not just tired. 了 says that this is new.
我病了
EverydayI’m ill
Shorter, with the same meaning. Common in speech and in messages.
我不舒服
EverydayI don’t feel well
Vague and polite: a headache, an upset stomach, or something you would rather not name.
我好难受
With friendsI feel awful
Stronger and more personal. To a friend or a partner when you feel really bad.
我感冒了
EverydayI have a cold
For a cold. People also use it for a mild flu.
我发烧了
EverydayI have a fever
When you have a temperature. People take it seriously, so it is a clear reason to stay home.
请病假
Formalto ask for sick leave
To a boss or a teacher, usually in a message: 我今天想请一天病假, “I’d like to take a sick day today.”
Saying what hurts
我头疼
I have a headache
疼 after a body part says where it hurts.
我嗓子疼
I have a sore throat
Often the first sign of a cold.
我肚子疼
I have a stomach ache
For any pain in your belly.
有点咳嗽
I have a bit of a cough
When the cold is not bad enough to stop you.
我想吐
I feel like throwing up
For nausea, after bad food or on a bumpy bus.
我要去医院
I need to go to the hospital
In China, people go to a hospital for a fever or a bad cold too, so this is not as serious as it sounds in English.
Common mistakes
Saying 我有病
On its own, 我有病 sounds like “I’m crazy,” and 你有病吧 is a common insult: “are you nuts?” Say 我生病了 or 我病了. With a named illness it is fine: 我有胃病, “I have stomach trouble.”
Leaving out 了
As a statement, 我病 is not a sentence, and 我生病 sounds unfinished. Add 了: 我病了, 我生病了.
“I feel sick” for nausea
When “I feel sick” means you might throw up, 我生病了 is the wrong sentence. Say 我想吐. 恶心 also means nauseous, and it can mean “gross.”
A message to a teacher
老师，我生病了，今天想请一天病假。
Leon: Teacher, I’m sick. I’d like to take a sick day today.
严重吗？去医院了吗？
Teacher: Is it bad? Did you go to the hospital?
去了，医生说是感冒。
Leon: Yes. The doctor says it’s a cold.
好，你好好休息。
Teacher: OK. Rest well.
