Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mala suerte | /ˌmala ˈsweɾte/ | feminine |
| mala pata | /mala pata/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, informal |
| mala leche | /ˌmala ˈlet͡ʃe/ | feminine |
| gafe | /ˈɡafe/ | masculine |
| desgracia | /desˈɡɾaθja/ /desˈɡɾasja/ |
feminine |
| desventura | /desbenˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| trampucheta | /tɾamput͡ʃeta/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| yeta | /ˈʝeta/ | feminine |
| monosemic: macacoa | feminine | |
| mavita | /mabita/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| pandura | /panduɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| yetazo | /ʝetaθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /ʝetaso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Chile, masculine |
| malacue | /maˈlakwe/ | feminine |
| piña | /ˈpiɲa/ | feminine |
| plancha quemada | /plant͡ʃa kemada/ (from spelling rules) | Peru, feminine |
| malaventura | /malabenˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| infortunio | /infoɾˈtunjo/ | masculine |
| desdicha | /desˈdit͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| fucú | /fuˈku/ | masculine |
Spanish uses several terms for bad luck depending on the severity and context. While mala suerte is the standard way to express the concept, you can also use the verb phrase dar mala suerte to say that something brings or causes bad luck. For serious tragedies or calamities, the term desgracia is used to convey a much heavier weight of misfortune.
What does it mean word for word?
The informal expression mala pata literally translates to 'bad paw'.
Which one should you use?
Mala suerte is the standard, neutral term for bad luck. In contrast, desgracia is much stronger and implies a serious calamity. While mala suerte is general, mala pata is an informal way to express bad luck, often used when something goes wrong unexpectedly. The colloquial term mala leche can mean bad luck, but in many contexts it refers to having a bad temper or a bad attitude.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to express a setback or misfortune, you can use contratiempo. For everyday neutral situations, use mala suerte. If you are in an informal setting, you might use mala pata or the colloquial yeta.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you might hear the expression mala racha to mean bad luck. In Chile, the colloquialism yetazo is used. In Peru, the term plancha quemada is a colloquialism for bad luck.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌmala ˈsweɾte/
Did you know?
- The term mala leche literally translates to 'bad milk', a bizarre image used to describe misfortune or bad temperament.
- The word pata in the phrase mala pata may have unexpected origins, potentially linked to the Arabic word for 'duck'.
- In some contexts, the word gafe refers to a person who is believed to be a jinx or a bringer of bad luck to others.
Examples in context
- Decir eso da mala suerte.It's bad luck to say that.This sentence is useful for expressing that a specific action brings bad luck using mala suerte.Tatoeba #3793485 by Seael, translation #25865 by CK
- He tenido tanta mala suerte.I've had such bad luck.This sentence is useful for describing having experienced bad luck using mala suerte.Tatoeba #7192751 by arh, translation #6841810 by CK
- Tuve una racha de mala suerte.I had a run of bad luck.This sentence is useful for describing a continuous period of bad luck using mala suerte.Tatoeba #4392390 by pchamorro, translation #2331625 by CK
- Juan tuvo mala suerte en el examen de matemáticas.Juan had bad luck on the math exam.
- ¡Qué pésima suerte tengo hoy! Se me pinchó una rueda del coche.What terrible luck I have today! I got a flat tire.
- No puedo creerlo, tuve mala pata y me perdí el último tren.I can't believe it, I had bad luck and missed the last train.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about a missed bus.
- SofíaPerdí el autobús por un minuto.I missed the bus by one minute.
- Daniel¡Qué mala suerte, Sofía!What bad luck, Sofía!
- SofíaSí, ahora llegaré tarde al trabajo.Yes, now I will be late for work.
- DanielNo te preocupes, Daniel te acompañará.Don't worry, Daniel will accompany you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad luck” translations and entries mala suerte, mala pata, mala leche, gafe, desgracia, desventura, yeta, malacue, piña, malaventura, infortunio, desdicha, fucú, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leche, mala, mala leche, mala pata, pata, suerte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
