What does mal in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word mal in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use mal in Spanish.

The word mal in Spanish means bad, badly, badly, wrong, sick, ill, poorly, in bad shape, harm, evil, wrong, sickness, illness, disaster, blow, bad, wicked, bad, bad, adverse, harmful, bad, damaging, sick, ill, bad, naughty, bad guy, driven crazy, very irritated, let's get it over with, let's get this over with, keep a stiff upper lip, keep your chin up, be in bad shape, not think straight, not have your head on straight, keep from evil, protect from evil, root out evil, badly handled matter, poorly handled matter, don't be ungrateful, bearer of bad news, nevertheless, nonetheless, one way or another, rub the wrong way, be disliked by, misbehave, have ants in your pants, be bad at, be bad at, bad omen, in a bad mood, from bad to worse, in bad taste, in poor taste, crass, vulgar, of bad taste, of poor taste, terrible taste, poor taste, bad taste, put down, leave a nasty taste in your mouth, wish harm, wish harm on, tell the difference between right and wrong, know the difference between right and wrong, right and wrong, have a bad [+ body part], be low on, be nutty, be loopy, be mad, be crazy, explain poorly, speak badly of, do wrong, be wrong to do, harm, intrude, go from bad to worse, go badly, go poorly, be in a mess, scrape by, go down the wrong path, go through a rough patch, go through a hard time, go badly for , go poorly for, be offended by, lead astray, not get along, not get on, spoil, ungrateful, bad breath, bad friend, incompatible, nasty piece of work, common ailment, communal suffering, spoiled, altitude sickness, altitude sickness, be lovesick, in a bad mood, Chagas disease, hard up, run in the family, deterioration, evil eye, Parkinson's disease, bad example, bad-looking, temper, bad taste, bad-tempered, disobedient, physical damage, lesser of two evils, lesser evil, bastard, necessary evil, badly paid, poorly paid, poorly dressed, somehow or other, whatever they think, social ill, social problem, social evil, you look unwell, hard time, rough patch, ill, not in the mood, ill-featured, ill-favored, foulmouthed, foul-mouthed, foul mouthed, bad mood, odious, beyond good and evil, rather poorly, it's a good thing, disapprove of, hold in contempt, call girl, so-so, not wish harm on anyone. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word mal

bad

adjetivo (apócope de malo)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Tuve un mal día.
I had a bad day.

badly

adverbio (de manera no satisfactoria)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Anoche dormí mal.
I slept badly last night.

badly, wrong

adverbio (con errores)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Estás haciendo el ejercicio mal.
You are doing that exercise wrong.

sick, ill

adverbio (con mala salud) (health)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Me siento mal; no voy a trabajar hoy.
I feel sick; I'm not going to work today.

poorly

adverbio (pobremente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Mi sueldo nos da para vivir mal.
We live poorly on my salary.

in bad shape

adverbio (con tristeza, con pena)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Mario anda mal desde que Teresa lo dejó.
Mario has been in bad shape since Teresa left him.

harm, evil, wrong

locución nominal masculina (valor moral: lo incorrecto)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Al hijo del hechicero le gusta hacer el mal.
The sorcerer's son likes to do evil.

sickness, illness

nombre masculino (dolor, enfermedad)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tiene algún mal que los médicos no descubren.
He has an illness that the doctors haven't diagnosed.

disaster, blow

nombre masculino (suceso nefasto) (ill luck)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La pérdida repentina de su esposa fue un mal del que no se recuperó.
The loss of his wife was a disaster (or: blow) from which he never recovered.

bad, wicked

adjetivo (maligno, perverso)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Jaime es un hombre malo.
Jaime is a bad man.

bad

adjetivo (no hábil, no apto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Una persona mala para las matemáticas no puede estudiar ingeniería.
Anyone who's bad at math can't study engineering.

bad, adverse

adjetivo (negativo, adverso)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Ha sido un año malo para la aviación.
It's been a bad (or: adverse) year for aviation.

harmful, bad, damaging

adjetivo (que causa daño, nocivo)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Fumar es malo para la salud.
Smoking is bad for your health.

sick, ill

adjetivo (informal (enfermo, indispuesto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Mi marido está malo y no ha ido a trabajar.
My husband's sick (or: ill) and hasn't been into work.

bad, naughty

adjetivo (informal (travieso)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Eres un perro muy malo.
You are a very bad (or: naughty) dog.

bad guy

nombre masculino, nombre femenino (antagonista)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El héroe llegó y acabó con todos los malos.
The hero arrived and wiped out all the bad guys.

driven crazy, very irritated

locución adverbial (de cabeza)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

let's get it over with, let's get this over with

expresión (lo malo pase pronto)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quiero terminar este trabajo repetitivo cuanto antes: al mal paso darle prisa.
I want to finish this repetitive project as soon as possible: let's get it over with.

keep a stiff upper lip, keep your chin up

expresión (positividad ante adversidad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cuando mi padre enfermó, nunca perdió su optimismo y repetía constantemente: «al mal tiempo buena cara».
When my father fell ill he never lost his optimism and constantly repeated "keep your chin up".

be in bad shape

locución verbal (tener problemas)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Anda mal desde que lo echaron del trabajo.
She's been in bad shape since she got the sack.

not think straight, not have your head on straight

locución verbal (coloquial (estar loco)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Agustín quiere renunciar a su trabajo, creo que anda mal de la cabeza.
Agustín wants to leave his job. He's not thinking straight (or: He doesn't have his head on straight).

keep from evil, protect from evil

locución verbal (librar de peligros)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Necesitamos apartar el mal de nuestra comunidad.
We need to protect our community from evil.

root out evil

locución verbal (erradicar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Sólo corriéndolo van a poder arrancar el mal de raíz.
Only by going after it will they be able to root out evil.

badly handled matter, poorly handled matter

(manejo inadecuado)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La financiación de la empresa fue un asunto mal llevado y debemos solucionarlo.
The financing of the business was a badly (or: poorly) handled matter and we need to deal with it.

don't be ungrateful

expresión (pide no ser avaricioso)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ganó el segundo premio y se queja, aun con tanta ganancia mal contento.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Don't be ungrateful! You're lucky getting what you were given.

bearer of bad news

locución nominal femenina (portador de malas noticias)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Matías es un ave de mal agüero, siempre que lo veo entrar tengo miedo de lo que va a decir.
Matías is a bearer of bad news. Whenever I see him come in I'm afraid of what he will say.

nevertheless, nonetheless

locución conjuntiva (a pesar de todo)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Bien que mal te sigo queriendo después de tantos años.

one way or another

locución conjuntiva (de cualquier manera)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Bien que mal, he terminado la tarea y mañana será otro día.

rub the wrong way

locución verbal (coloquial (ser antipático) (slang: person)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
El niño del vecino me cae mal, no quiero que venga a casa.
The neighbor's boy rubs me the wrong way, I don't want him coming to my house.

be disliked by

(detestar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

misbehave

(de forma indebida)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Antes de salir, la dirección advirtió que castigaría a los alumnos que se comportaran mal en la visita al museo.
Before leaving, the administration stated that they would punish any students who misbehaved during the visit to the museum.

have ants in your pants

locución nominal masculina (ES, coloquial (persona inquieta) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Juan no para en ninguna parte, es un culo de mal asiento.
Juan is always on the go, he's got ants in his pants.

be bad at

(no tener habilidad)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Como a Luis se le dan mal las matemáticas, su hermano siempre lo ayuda con las tareas.
Because Luis is bad at maths, his brother always helps him with his homework.

be bad at

locución verbal (no ser hábil para)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Se me dan mal las matemáticas.
I am bad at mathematics.

bad omen

locución adjetiva (desfavorable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Fue una predicción de mal agüero, pero esperemos que no suceda.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The appearance of the black cat was a bad omen.

in a bad mood

locución adverbial (de mal humor)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Hoy el jefe está de mal ánimo, así que no te recomendaría que le pidas un aumento. Hoy amanecí de mal ánimo.

from bad to worse

locución adverbial (empeorando)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
La economía va de mal en peor.
The economy is going from bad to worse.

in bad taste, in poor taste

locución adverbial (de poca elegancia)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
La decoración de la casa es de mal gusto.
The house is decorated in bad taste.

crass, vulgar

locución adverbial (chiste: grosero)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Juan siempre hace chistes de mal gusto.
Juan always tells crass jokes.

of bad taste, of poor taste

locución adjetiva (vulgar)

Ese vestido es de mal tono, no te lo pongas.

terrible taste, poor taste, bad taste

locución adjetiva (muy grosero)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Héctor hizo un comentario de pésimo gusto en la reunión.

put down

locución verbal (hablar mal de alguien) (informal: especially in public)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Con ese comentario, Pablo lo dejó mal parado a Pedro.
With that comment, Pablo put down Pedro.

leave a nasty taste in your mouth

locución verbal (dejar mal recuerdo) (figurative: bad impression)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

wish harm, wish harm on

locución verbal (desear mala suerte)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Juan les desea el mal a todas sus novias anteriores.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. You can trust him; he doesn't wish you any harm.

tell the difference between right and wrong, know the difference between right and wrong

locución verbal (tener criterio ético)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Los niños pequeños no pueden distinguir entre el bien y el mal.
Small children can't tell the difference between right and wrong.

right and wrong

locución nominal masculina (lo bueno y lo malo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

have a bad [+ body part]

(tener algo en mal estado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Estoy mal del hígado; tengo hepatitis. La paciente está mal de los riñones.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. My father can't go running in cold weather because he's got bad ankles.

be low on

(informal (sufrir escasez)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
En estos momentos no podemos comprar otro auto porque estamos mal de plata.
At the moment we can't buy a new car because we're low on funds.

be nutty, be loopy

(coloquial (estar loco) (informal)

Creo que mi vecina está mal de la cabeza: siempre que me ve, me dice su nombre como si no me conociera.
I think my neighbor is loopy: every time she sees me she tells me her name, as if we had never met.

be mad, be crazy

locución verbal (coloquial (estar loco)

explain poorly

(no hacerse entender)

speak badly of

locución adverbial (criticar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ten cuidado con Ana porque habla mal a tus espaldas.
Be careful of Ana, because she'll speak badly of you behind your back.

do wrong

(actuar incorrectamente) (with infinitive)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Pedro hizo mal en el pasado y ahora está pagando las consecuencias de sus actos.
Pedro did wrong in the past and now he's paying the consequences of his actions.

be wrong to do

(actuar incorrectamente) (followed by infinitive)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Hiciste mal al mentir para evitar un castigo. Hiciste mal en renunciar al trabajo; será difícil que encuentres otro.
It was wrong of you to lie to avoid punishment.

harm

(dañar, perjudicar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
No le hagas mal a Sara que ella es muy buena persona. Este viento helado podría hacerle mal al bebé.
Don't harm Sara because she is a good person.

intrude

(perjudicar a alguien) (formal)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Vayan ustedes al cine y yo me quedo acá: no quiero hacerles mal tercio.
You should all go to the cinema. I'll stay here. I don't want to intrude.

go from bad to worse

locución verbal (ir empeorando)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La situación financiera de la empresa va de mal en peor.
The company's financial situation is going from bad to worse.

go badly, go poorly

locución verbal (coloquial (fracasar)

A Carlos le fue mal en la entrevista.
The interview went badly (or: went poorly) for Carlos.

be in a mess

locución verbal (coloquial (estar en apuros)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
A la empresa le va mal este año.
The company is in a mess this year.

scrape by

locución verbal (coloquial (pasar estrecheces)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La familia va mal viviendo desde hace meses.
The family have been scraping by for months.

go down the wrong path

locución verbal (ser vicioso, vil)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ese adolescente va por mal camino: si sus padres no hacen algo al respecto, tendrá un mal futuro.
That teenager has gone down the wrong path: if her parents don't do anything about it, she'll have a bleak future.

go through a rough patch, go through a hard time

locución verbal (coloquial (cosa: malograrse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
A la empresa le va mal desde el cambio de dueños.
The company has been going through a rough patch since the change of owners.

go badly for , go poorly for

locución verbal (coloquial (persona: pasar apuros)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
A Juan le va mal desde que se separó.
Things have been going badly for Juan since his separation.

be offended by

locución verbal (resentirse, ofenderse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Carla llevó a mal lo que dijiste de su vestido.

lead astray

locución verbal (figurado (hacer comportarse mal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

not get along, not get on

locución verbal (no entenderse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Juan y Pablo se llevan mal y siempre se pelean.
Juan and Pablo don't get along and are always fighting.

spoil

verbo transitivo (fomentar hábitos de consentido)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

ungrateful

adjetivo (desagradecido)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

bad breath

(halitosis)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
No quiero besar a Pedro porque tiene mal aliento.
I don't want to kiss Pedro because he has bad breath.

bad friend

locución nominal con flexión de género (coloquial (que causa prejuicio)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
¿Te tomas una cerveza y te vas? ¡Mal amigo! Ana se dejó engatusar por una mala amiga.
You have one beer and then you leave already? You're a bad friend! Ana was tricked by a bad friend.

incompatible

locución adjetiva (desacorde, incompatible)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

nasty piece of work

locución nominal masculina (coloquial (persona mala) (colloquial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Es un mal bicho; no te fíes de él.
He is a nasty piece of work; don't trust him.

common ailment, communal suffering

(mal general)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

spoiled

(maleducado, descortés)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Pepito es un muchacho mal criado.
Pepito is an ill-bred boy.

altitude sickness

nombre masculino (mareo de montaña)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Los que suben a los Andes deben tener cuidado con el mal de altura.
Those who climb the Andes should be careful with acute mountain sickness.

altitude sickness

nombre masculino (por falta de oxígeno)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Casi llegaba a la cima de la montaña, pero le dio mal de alturas.

be lovesick

locución nominal masculina (desamor)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
María anda con mal de amores y llora todo el día.
Maria is lovesick and cries all day.

in a bad mood

(tristeza profunda)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Chagas disease

nombre masculino (enfermedad parasitaria)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El mal de Chagas se transmite por la picadura de un insecto.

hard up

locución adverbial (escaso de fondos)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La familia está mal de dinero y no puede pagar las cuentas.
The family is hard up and can't pay the bills.

run in the family

(coloquial (defecto en común) (negative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Al igual que su madre, Ana siempre llega tarde: ser impuntual es mal de familia.
Just like her mother, Ana's always late - it runs in the family.

deterioration

nombre masculino (monumento: degradación)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Todo la estatua tiene mal de la piedra.

evil eye

nombre masculino (hechizo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le echaron el mal de ojo y se enfermó.
They cast the evil eye on him and he became ill.

Parkinson's disease

nombre masculino (trastorno cerebral)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El mal de Parkinson es más común después de los 50 años.

bad example

nombre masculino (mala influencia)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Esos amigos borrachos son un mal ejemplo para él.

bad-looking

locución adjetiva (con mal aspecto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

temper

locución nominal masculina (mal carácter)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El mal genio del jefe es insoportable: hoy hizo llorar a dos empleados.
The boss' temper is unbearable. Today he made two employees cry.

bad taste

(poca elegancia)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mariana tiene muy mal gusto para vestirse.
Mariana has very bad taste in clothes.

bad-tempered

locución adjetiva (hosco, de mal humor)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Gruñón es el enano mal humorado de Blancanieves.

disobedient

(desobediente)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
No quiero cuidar al niño porque es mal mandado.

physical damage

locución nominal masculina (derecho: daño o perjuicio material)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lesser of two evils

(lo menos malo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Entre dos males, hay que escoger el mal menor.
Between two evils, you have to choose the lesser of the two evils.

lesser evil

(no grave)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nadie resultó herido; el golpe en el coche es un mal menor.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. I don't like the other candidate either, but I suppose this one is a lesser evil.

bastard

(peyorativo (persona: indeseable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ese es un criminal, un hombre mal nacido.

necessary evil

locución nominal masculina (mal ineludible)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Algunos dicen que la guerra es un mal necesario.
Some say that war is a necessary evil.

badly paid, poorly paid

locución adverbial (infra pagado)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Pablo tiene un empleo mal pagado.
Pablo has a badly paid job.

poorly dressed

locución adjetiva (mal vestido)

somehow or other

locución conjuntiva (con apuros)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Mal que bien, llegamos a fin de mes.
Somehow or other, we made it to the end of the month.

whatever they think

expresión (enfático (aunque le cueste aceptarlo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mal que le pese a Miguel, sus hijos siempre han sido un poco tontos.

social ill, social problem, social evil

locución nominal masculina (problema social)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La pobreza es el mayor mal social de nuestros días.

you look unwell

expresión (vas mal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Qué mal te veo Jorge, ¿qué te pasa?
You look unwell Jorge. What's wrong?

hard time, rough patch

locución nominal masculina (figurado (mal momento)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La enfermedad de mi padre fue un mal trago para toda la familia, pero ya vendrán mejores tiempos.
My father's illness was a hard time for the whole family, but better times are ahead.

ill

adjetivo (indispuesto, enfermo)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not in the mood

adjetivo (que no está de humor)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

ill-featured, ill-favored

adjetivo (de mal aspecto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

foulmouthed, foul-mouthed, foul mouthed

adjetivo (que usa expresiones soeces)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

bad mood

nombre masculino (actitud negativa)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

odious

adjetivo (peyorativo (persona: despreciable)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

beyond good and evil

expresión (demasiado)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

rather poorly

expresión (más mal que bien)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
No sabe rico, más bien mal.
It doesn't taste good, but rather poorly.

it's a good thing

interjección (qué alivio)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Menos mal que llegamos a tiempo.
It's a good thing we arrived on time.

disapprove of

locución verbal (coloquial (tener antipatía) (attitude)

El profesor me mira mal.
The professor gave me a dirty look.

hold in contempt

locución verbal (coloquial (poner mala cara)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Es un antipático; mira mal a todo el mundo.
He's a nasty guy; he holds everyone in contempt.

call girl

nombre femenino (prostituta)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Antes de ser emperatriz, Teodora de Bizancio fue una mujer de mal vivir.

so-so

locución adverbial (así así)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Luisa no canta ni bien ni mal, pero su voz anima las fiestas.

not wish harm on anyone

locución verbal (no abrigar malos deseos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Aunque fue víctima de una injusticia no le desea mal a nadie.

Let's learn Spanish

So now that you know more about the meaning of mal in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.

Related words of mal

Do you know about Spanish

Spanish (español), also known as Castilla, is a language of the Iberian-Romance group of the Romance languages, and the 4th most common language in the world according to Some sources, while others list it as a 2nd or 3rd most common language. It is the mother tongue of about 352 million people, and is spoken by 417 million people when adding its speakers as a language. sub (estimated in 1999). Spanish and Portuguese have very similar grammar and vocabulary; The number of similar vocabulary of these two languages is up to 89%. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that the total number of speakers of Spanish is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.