ser malo
/seɾ malo/from spelling rules
To be mean in Spanish is ser malo.
The phrase is used to describe someone who is being unkind or cruel to others. While it can also be translated as 'to be evil' or 'to be a bad person', it is the standard way to say someone is being 'mean' in many everyday contexts.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between being a mean person and being unfriendly. If you want to describe someone as mean in the sense of being unpleasant or unkind rather than 'evil', ser antipático/a is a more precise term. Additionally, do not confuse ser malo with estar malo/a, which is used to say someone is ill or that food has gone bad.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person you are describing: use ser malo for a male and ser mala for a female.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɾ malo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using estar malo/a when you mean someone is being mean. estar malo/a typically indicates that a person is sick or that food is spoiled.
Did you know?
- While ser malo describes a permanent character trait, the similar-sounding phrase estar malo/a can actually be used in informal Spanish to describe someone as 'tasty' or 'attractive'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, calling someone malo can be a slang compliment meaning they are exceptionally skilled or a 'badass' at a specific activity.
- The Spanish verb ser is a hybrid word. Over time, it absorbed a different Old Spanish verb, seer, which came from the Latin word for 'sit'.
Examples in context
- No es su intención ser malo. Es su naturaleza.He doesn't mean to be mean. It's just his nature.This sentence shows how to use ser malo to describe someone's nature.Tatoeba #667198 by darinmex, translation #610674 by darinmex
- Ella es desagradableShe is unpleasant (describing a person's character)
- Ella está siendo desagradableShe is being mean (describing a temporary behavior)
- No debes ser malo con los niños.You shouldn't be mean to children.
- Él no quiere ser malo, solo es sincero.He doesn't want to be mean, he is just sincere.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking about a classmate.
- JavierJuan puede ser muy malo a veces.Juan can be very mean sometimes.
- ElenaSí, no me gusta cómo habla.Yes, I don't like how he speaks.
- JavierNo entiendo por qué decide ser malo.I don't understand why he decides to be mean.
- ElenaQuizás tiene un mal día.Maybe he is having a bad day.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malo, ser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
