malus
[ˈma.ɫʊs]
The English word "bad" is translated into Latin as malus.
malus is an adjective used to describe something that is unfavorable or negative.
Meaning: unfavorable, negative (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective malus follows the first and second declension patterns, providing masculine, feminine and neuter forms. Use mala for feminine nouns and malum for neuter nouns so that the adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun. The noun form related to being bad or having ill-will is malevolentia.
Did you know?
- The Latin malus 'bad' looks almost identical to mālus 'apple tree', which differs in its long ā and its feminine gender.
Examples in context
- Cibus valde malus est.The food is very bad.This sentence shows how to use malus to describe food.Tatoeba #5031933 by alexmarcelo, translation #1107289 by Scott
- Calamus tuus malus est.Your pen is bad.This sentence shows how to use malus to describe a pen.Tatoeba #4938386 by alexmarcelo, translation #2524305 by dimitris
- Status valde malus est.The situation is very bad.This sentence shows how to use malus to describe a situation.Tatoeba #13901972 by rul, translation #3826392 by CK
- Hic pessimus estThis is the worst.
- Tempus perniciosum estThe weather is bad/dangerous.
- Opus malum estThe work is bad/unsatisfactory.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus and Julia are discussing the weather.
- QuintusTempus hodie malum est.The weather is bad today.
- JuliaIta, pluit totum diem.Yes, it rained all day.
- QuintusVisne domi manere?Do you want to stay home?
- JuliaIta, quod tempus malum est.Yes, because the weather is bad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad” translations and entries malus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
