yfel
/ˈy.fel/
The English word 'bad' is translated into Old English as yfel.
The term is an adjective meaning unfavorable or negative. It serves as the direct ancestor of the modern English word 'evil'.
Meaning: unfavorable, negative (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word yfel literally means 'evil' or 'bad'.
Which one should you use?
The form yfel is used as an adjective, while yfele is used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form yfel is the nominative singular form for masculine, feminine and neuter genders. The form yfele is the adverbial form, and yfelum is the dative plural form of the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈy.fel/, with the stress on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The ancestral form of this word, Proto-Germanic *ubilaz, likely related to the idea of 'over' or 'beyond', suggesting 'bad' was originally conceptualized as something that went 'over' the bounds of what is right.
- The modern English word 'bad' is not a descendant of yfel. It appeared later, in Middle English, and its origin is uncertain.
Examples in context
- Hēo singþ yfele.She's a bad singer.This sentence demonstrates the adverbial use of yfel to describe a manner of singing.Tatoeba #13891108 by rul, translation #13415765 by rul
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mildryth and Osric are discussing the weather.
- MildrythHwæt, se wind is yfel tōdæg.Look, the wind is bad today.
- OsricGēa, hit is swīþe ceald.Yes, it is very cold.
- MildrythWē ne sculon gān ūt.We should not go out.
- OsricIċ gā nū hām.I am going home now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad” translations and entries yfel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries yfel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
