malas intenciones
/malas intenθjones/from spelling rules
The English phrase bad intentions is translated into Spanish as malas intenciones.
Depending on the level of formality, there are other ways to express this idea: Tener intenciones negativas is a formal way to say to have negative intentions, while Actuar con maldad is a formal way to say to act with malicious intent. In informal settings, you can use Andar con malas ideas to say one has bad ideas or intentions or Pensar mal to say one is thinking negatively or assuming someone has negative intentions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine plural adjective malas (bad) and the feminine plural noun intenciones (intentions).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people might say tener intenciones oscuras instead of tener malas intenciones.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form mala intención is used when referring to a single specific bad intent, whereas malas intenciones is the standard way to refer to the concept of ill will in general.
How do you pronounce it?
/malas intenθjones/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you suspect someone has malas intenciones, you might say they are mala leche. While this sounds like a culinary term, it is a common way to describe someone with a toxic or malicious personality.
- When someone is accused of having malas intenciones in a romantic context, it is often shorthand for tener segundas intenciones, which specifically means having a hidden agenda.
- In Spanish legal terminology, the concept of 'bad intentions' is often captured by the word dolo, a technical term that implies a conscious intent to deceive or harm.
Examples in context
- Creo que él tiene malas intencionesI think he has bad intentions
- No confío en sus intenciones negativasI don't trust his negative intentions
- Ella siempre actúa con maldadShe always acts with bad intentions
- Creo que tiene algo malo en menteI think he has something bad in mind
- No me mires con malas intenciones.Don't look at me with bad intentions.
- No creo que tenga malas intenciones.I don't think he has bad intentions.
- Ella no actúa con malas intenciones.She does not act with bad intentions.
- Él siempre tiene malas intenciones con los demás.He always has bad intentions toward others.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a new coworker.
- Mateo¿Crees que el nuevo jefe tiene malas intenciones?Do you think the new boss has bad intentions?
- LucíaNo, yo no veo que tenga malas intenciones.No, I don't see him having bad intentions.
- MateoEspero que sea cierto, Lucía.I hope that is true, Lucía.
- LucíaSeguro que es un buen hombre.I am sure he is a good man.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
