malo
/ˈmalo/
The phrase "bad it" in Spanish is malo.
The word malo is used to describe something of poor quality or low moral character. It can also function as a noun, such as in the phrase el malo, to refer to a specific bad person or a villain in a story.
Which one should you use?
Use malo as an adjective to describe a noun. In contrast, use mal as an adverb to describe an action, such as in the sentence lo hizo mal (he did it badly).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to match the noun it describes. Use mala if the noun is feminine, malos if the noun is masculine and plural and malas if the noun is feminine and plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmalo/
Did you know?
- The root of malo is related to the Latin 'malus', which could mean 'bad' but also referred to an 'apple tree' in certain contexts. This provides a strange link between moral character and botany.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a child malo can be used affectionately to mean they are 'naughty' or 'cheeky' rather than truly evil.
- The Spanish word malo is a direct 'cousin' to the English word 'malice' and 'malignant'. Both words trace back to the same ancient roots describing something harmful or bad.
Examples in context
- Por malo que sea…However bad it is…Tatoeba #436270 by lukaszpp, translation #436269 by lukaszpp
- Si finges ser bueno, el mundo te toma muy seriamente. Si finges ser malo, no lo hace. Esa es la pasmosa estupidez del optimismo.If you pretend to be good, the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad, it doesn't. Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism.Tatoeba #1791396 by inastar, translation #1791394 by inastar
- ¡Qué pobre situación!What a poor situation!
- ¡Qué feo está el clima hoy!The weather is so bad today!
- La película fue horribleThe movie was really bad!
- El servicio en ese restaurante es malo a rabiarThe service at that restaurant is really bad!
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about a movie they just watched.
- LucíaNo me gustó la película.I didn't like the movie.
- DanielYo también, el final fue muy malo.Me too, the ending was very bad.
- LucíaEs que el guion no tenía sentido.It's just that the script made no sense.
- DanielTienes razón, fue una pérdida de tiempo.You're right, it was a waste of time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry malo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
