chico malo
/t͡ʃiko malo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'bad boy' is translated into Spanish as chico malo.
The phrase chico malo is used to describe a person who behaves badly or frequently breaks rules.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chico (boy) and malo (bad).
Which one should you use?
While chico malo describes a person who is a troublemaker or breaks rules, the word malvado is much stronger and implies that a person is actually wicked or evil.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a girl, change the masculine forms to the feminine chica mala. To refer to multiple boys or a mixed group, use the plural form chicos malos.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃiko malo/
Did you know?
- The word chico is believed to have been borrowed from the Yucatec Maya word chiʼik.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, calling someone a chico malo can carry a flirtatious or 'rebellious' connotation rather than a purely negative one.
- The word malo shares a common Proto-Indo-European root with the English word 'malice'.
Examples in context
- Tom es un chico malo.Tom is a bad boy.This sentence demonstrates the use of chico malo.Tatoeba #1306135 by marcelostockle, translation #1025204 by CK
- El chico problemático siempre se mete en líos.The bad boy always gets into trouble.
- El muchacho rebelde siempre desafía las reglas.The bad boy always defies the rules.
- Ese chico malo siempre está buscando problemas.That bad boy is always looking for trouble.
- Mi hermano menor es un auténtico pillo.My younger brother is a real troublemaker.
- Ese chico malo siempre rompe las reglas.That bad boy always breaks the rules.
- No quiero ser un chico malo.I don't want to be a bad boy.
Example conversation
Lucía is talking to Alejandro about his behavior.
- LucíaAlejandro, deja de hacer travesuras.Alejandro, stop playing pranks.
- AlejandroSolo me estoy divirtiendo un poco.I'm just having a little fun.
- LucíaTe estás portando como un chico malo.You are behaving like a bad boy.
- AlejandroEstá bien, prometo portarme bien.Okay, I promise to behave.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chico, malo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
