mala influencia
/mala inflwenθja/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "bad influence" is mala influencia.
mala influencia refers to a person who encourages others to behave in a harmful or immoral way. When describing the action of someone being a bad influence on another person, it is common to use the verb ejercer (to exert/exercise), as in the phrase ejercer una mala influencia.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective mala (bad) and the noun influencia (influence).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly in the Caribbean, the variation mala junta is used, which translates to "bad company."
How does it change in a sentence?
Because influencia is a feminine noun, the indefinite article una and the adjective mala must also be feminine. To express the plural "bad influences", both the adjective and the noun must be pluralized to malas influencias.
How do you pronounce it?
/mala inflwenθja/
Did you know?
- The word influencia comes from the Latin īnfluēns, which originally described the flowing of celestial energy from stars into humans.
- While we use the phrase to describe a person, Spanish speakers often use the idiom andar en malos pasos to describe someone following a bad influence, which literally means 'to walk in bad steps'.
- The verb ejercer, used to describe exerting a mala influencia, is the same verb used for practicing a profession like law or medicine.
Examples in context
- Sos una mala influencia.You're a bad influence.This sentence uses mala influencia to state that someone is a bad influence.Tatoeba #2972941 by hayastan, translation #2546246 by CK
- Tom es una mala influencia.Tom is a bad influence.This sentence uses mala influencia to identify Tom as a bad influence.Tatoeba #2972919 by hayastan, translation #2546426 by CK
- Tu amigo ejerce una mala influencia sobre ti.Your friend has a bad influence on you.This sentence uses mala influencia to describe a friend exerting a bad influence on someone.Tatoeba #4388814 by pchamorro, translation #2333726 by AlanF_US
- La adicción a las redes sociales puede ser una mala influencia en nuestra sociedad.Addiction to social media can be a bad influence on our society.
- Es importante reconocer y evitar aquellas influencias negativas que pueden afectar nuestra toma de decisiones.It is important to recognize and avoid those negative influences that can affect our decision-making.
- Creo que debería alejarme de Juan, tiene una mala onda y me siento influido negativamente por él.I think I should distance myself from Juan, he has a bad vibe, and I feel negatively influenced by him.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is warning María about a new acquaintance.
- AlejandroNo salgas con él, es una mala influencia.Don't go out with him, he is a bad influence.
- María¿Por qué dices eso, Alejandro?Why do you say that, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSiempre convence a todos de hacer cosas peligrosas.He always convinces everyone to do dangerous things.
- MaríaTienes razón, tendré cuidado con él.You're right, I will be careful with him.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries influencia, mala, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
