When you need this

Everyone gets sick, and everyone has to talk about it: telling your manager you're not coming in, answering "How are you feeling?", or checking on a friend who's been ill. None of these conversations need medical vocabulary. They need a handful of everyday phrases for feeling bad, getting worse and getting better.

Most people keep it light and short. At work, "I'm not feeling great, so I'm taking a sick day" is enough; nobody needs the details. With friends, you can say more, and the friendly response is sympathy: "Oh no, feel better soon."

Phrases

the general way to say you're sick

a little sick, nothing serious

start to have a cold from someone

pain in your throat, especially when you swallow

phone or message work to say you're too sick to come

a day off work because you're unwell

tired and low on energy, often before getting sick

recover from an illness

getting better

the standard kind wish to a sick person

can pass an illness to other people

a letter from a doctor to confirm you were sick

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say one natural line for each situation.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.