bar de mala muerte
/baɾ de mala mweɾte/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'dive bar' is translated into Spanish as bar de mala muerte.
The phrase bar de mala muerte is used to describe a place that is low-quality, shady or dilapidated, much like the English concept of a dive bar.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, bar de mala muerte translates to 'bar of bad death'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expression is colloquial and carries a derogatory or colorful connotation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use the word tasca to describe a dive bar. In Colombia, the word antro is used to express the same idea.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾ de mala mweɾte/
Did you know?
- The word antro in Colombia is a linguistic chameleon that can refer to either a run-down dive bar or a high-energy nightclub.
- The Spanish word bar is actually a loanword borrowed from English.
- The phrase de mala muerte can be applied to things other than bars, such as a hotel de mala muerte to describe a cheap or dangerous hotel.
Examples in context
- Es un bar de mala muerte.It is a dive bar.This sentence is useful for identifying a place as a bar de mala muerte.Tatoeba #5124545 by don_ramon, translation #5416173 by tabular
- ¿Conoces algún tugurio interesante por aquí? ¡Sí! En el centro hay un antro con ambiente increíble. ¡Vayamos!Do you know any interesting dive bars around here? Yes! There's a bar downtown with an incredible atmosphere. Let's go!
- No quiero entrar en ese bar de mala muerte.I don't want to go into that dive bar.
- Encontré un bar de mala muerte con cervezas baratas.I found a dive bar with cheap beers.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are deciding where to go for a drink.
- Elena¿Vamos a ese nuevo club de moda?Shall we go to that new trendy club?
- MateoNo, prefiero un bar de mala muerte cerca de aquí.No, I prefer a dive bar near here.
- ElenaEstá bien, Mateo, vamos al que siempre vas.Fine, Mateo, let's go to the one you always go to.
- Mateo¡Perfecto, allí la música es mejor!Perfect, the music is better there!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bar, de, mala, muerte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
