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English Phrases to Say When Someone is Sick

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English Phrases to Say When Someone is Sick

Do you have a friend or coworker who’s sick, injured, or looks like they might be coming down with something? 

Well, whether you want to …

… Here are 20 popular English expressions that will make them feel better in no time!

Ask About Their Condition

1. Is everything OK?

  • You seem tired today. Is everything OK?
  • You look pale. Is everything OK?

2. How’s your … ?

  • Hi Peter. How’s your flu? Are you OK?
  • How’s your ankle? It really sucks that you sprained it during the marathon.

3. How do you feel today?

  • How do you feel today? Hopefully better than yesterday?
  • I heard you’ve been sick all week. How do you feel today?

4. … any better?

  • I heard about your back injury. Do you feel any better?
  • How’s your cough? Is it getting any better?

Wish Them a Fast Recovery

5. Get well soon.

“Get well” means to recover, so English-speakers often say “get well soon” to someone who’s ill or injured. Just remember to not say it to people suffering from long-term or terminal illnesses, since they can’t recover soon.

  • Get well soon! Work is no fun without you.
  • Surgery sucks. Get well soon.

6. Feel better.

If someone “feels better,” they feel less pain and discomfort. There are cases where it makes more sense to tell someone to “feel better” than to “get well.” For example, if someone has arthritis, they may not be able to recover from it, but there are many things they could do to make their joints “feel better.”

Generally, feeling better and getting well are related, so the phrases are often used interchangeably. 

7. Hope ... goes away soon.

  • Hope the pain from your surgery goes away soon.
  • I’ve had acne before and it’s definitely no joke. Hope it goes away soon.

8. … a speedy recovery.

9. … soon.

  • Hope you can get out of the hospital soon!
  • Hope you get off your antibiotics soon, so we can go out for drinks again!

Remind Them To Take Care of Themselves

10. Take care.

  • I’m so sorry to hear that you caught the flu. Hope you feel better soon and take care!
  • Take care of yourself. We wouldn’t want your cold to turn into something more serious!

11. Focus on … . 

  • Focus on recovering. Don’t worry about work. We’ve got you covered.
  • We know you feel bad about breaking your leg right before a big game, but for now, just focus on resting and recovering!

12. … lots/plenty of … 

  • Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids!
  • Hope you get lots of rest and sleep this week.

13. Rest well/up.

“Rest well” means to have a good rest, and “rest up” means to rest completely and thoroughly.

  • It’s so easy to get sick in your line of work. Rest up and get better soon!
  • Rest well and take all the time you need to recover.

Offer Help

If you think there are ways you might be able to help an ill or injured person, here are some expressions for telling them that.

14. Can I help you … ?

Instead of simply saying “How can I help?” it’s better to say a few concrete things you can help with.

  • Can I help you walk the dog this week at least?
  • Can I help you pick up the kids from kindergarten?

15. Can I get you anything? 

  • I’m heading to the grocery store. Can I get you anything?
  • Can I get you anything from the pharmacy? Like cough medicine or something for your fever?

16. Let me know if … .

  • Let me know if you need anything.
  • Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.
  • Let me know if you need me for anything.

Welcome Them Back After Their Recovery

17. Welcome Back!

  • Welcome back! We missed you while you were out sick!

18. (It’s) Good to have you back!

This expression means that you’re happy that someone is back in the workplace, the house, the team, etc.

19. (I’m) Glad …

  • I’m glad you’re feeling better! You sounded really sick over the phone.
  • Glad you’re on your feet again and hope you never have to go through that again!

20. Take it easy.

  • Take it easy the next few days. We’re happy you’re back and certainly don’t want you getting sick again!
  • How are you feeling today? Make sure you take it easy and don’t push yourself too hard!

Make Them Laugh

“Laughter is the best medicine” as they say. In that spirit, here are a few funny messages you might want to send a friend in need of some encouraging.

  • Sorry your sick day is due to actual sickness.
  • Get better soon, so I have someone to hang out with!
  • I guess the universe is telling you to catch up on some TV shows.
  • Apparently, laughter is the best medicine – good thing I'm hilarious!
  • You better get better – I’m sick of you being sick!

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