Italian Phrase
Mio figlio sta male.
Meaning
Literally, “My son is ill.” It conveys that the speaker’s son is currently feeling unwell, often used when the condition is temporary or just beginning.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to inform someone—family, friends, a doctor, or a teacher—that your son is not feeling well. It’s appropriate in both informal and semi‑formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Miofigliostamale
Possessive adjective (Mio)
Mio agrees in gender (masculine) and number (singular) with the noun it modifies; it does not change for the speaker.
Stare for health
Stare is used to describe temporary states, especially health conditions, unlike essere which describes permanent traits.
Male as an adverb
Male means ‘ill’ or ‘unwell’ and functions as an adverb modifying the verb stare.
🗨In Conversation
Mio figlio sta male.
My son is ill.
Mi dispiace sentirlo. Vuoi che chiamiamo il medico?
I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want us to call the doctor?
✕Common Mistakes
Mio figlio è male.
Use ‘sta male’ for health states; ‘è male’ is ungrammatical because ‘male’ is an adverb, not a predicate adjective.
Mio figlio sta malato.
‘Malato’ is an adjective and needs ‘è’; combine with ‘stare’ only as ‘sta male.’
Mio figlio è male.
Confuses the adverb ‘male’ with the adjective ‘malato’; the correct form is ‘è malato.’
↔Alternatives
Mio figlio è malato.
My son is sick.
Mio figlio non sta bene.
My son isn’t feeling well.
Mio figlio ha la febbre.
My son has a fever.
Cultural Tip
In everyday Italian, people often say “non sta bene” or “è malato” rather than the more abrupt “sta male.” When expressing sympathy, start with “Mi dispiace” or “Che peccato.” Remember that “male” can also mean ‘evil’ as a noun, so context is key.