Health & Body
How to Say “sick” in Macedonian
What Does “болен” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “sick” is болен (Latin: bolen). It belongs to the category of Macedonian vocabulary for health and the human body. Macedonian belongs to the South Slavic language family and is the official language of North Macedonia, with about 1.5 million speakers. Because it is written phonetically in a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet, every word is pronounced exactly as it is spelled — a big head start for new learners.
How to Pronounce болен
болен is pronounced “bolen” — the transliteration maps each Cyrillic letter to a predictable Latin equivalent, with no silent letters or irregular spellings to watch out for. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Tap “Play Audio” above to listen to the pronunciation.
When to Use “болен”
Health and body vocabulary is useful both for medical situations and for everyday descriptions. Macedonian body vocabulary is regularly used in common expressions and idioms, making it worth learning even beyond medical contexts.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Grammar Notes
Key grammar elements in this expression: masculine, adjective. Understanding these building blocks helps you form your own Macedonian sentences. The OpaLingo Journey covers these grammar concepts in detail with interactive exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "sick" in Macedonian?
"sick" in Macedonian is болен. It is pronounced "bolen" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce болен?
болен is pronounced "bolen". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Tap the “Play Audio” button on this page to hear it pronounced.
Is "sick" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Related Macedonian Health & Body Words
Practice “болен” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include native Macedonian audio, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember Macedonian vocabulary for health and the human body for good. No account required — start learning immediately.