Estoy malo, pachucho o constipado: dilo como en España

In everyday spoken Spanish in Spain people most often say "estar malo." "Estoy enfermo" is correct, but sounds more neutral/less colloquial. You can find an example and explanation of "estar malo" in the material about medicine in colloquial Spanish.

The correct form is "estar pachucho" (a mild feeling of being unwell). With "desde ayer" we use the present tense ("estoy…") — the state started yesterday and continues now. For "pachucho/pachucha" as a mild "feeling under the weather," see the glossary.

"Estar pocho/pachucho" sounds soft: you’re a bit ill, under the weather. "Gravísimo" and "para el arrastre" are much stronger. For the nuance of "pocho/pachucho" as "mild and a bit affectionate," see the colloquial health guide.

In (European) Spanish, "constipado" = having a cold, with a runny nose. Don’t confuse it with English "constipated," which is "estreñido." Examples: "estoy constipado", "un constipado de aúpa".

We agree in gender: "pachucha" (feminine). Dialogues like this and the word "pachucho/a" are typically colloquial in pharmacies in Spain.

We say "estar constipado." "Soy constipado" is incorrect; "tengo (un) constipado" is possible, but more common is "estoy constipado." For examples and explanations with "constipado," see the colloquial list.

For a recent illness (today), "me he puesto malo" sounds very natural. The expression "me he puesto malo" is marked as colloquial in the health topic.

In a short informal message in Spanish people usually say: "estoy malo." This is noted as the most colloquial way to say that you’re sick.