cada mala palabra
/kada mala palabɾa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "every bad word" is translated as cada mala palabra.
This phrase is used to refer to offensive or swear words. To describe the act of swearing or using profanity, the phrase decir malas palabras is the standard way. If you want to refer to the collective group of swear words or profanity, the noun groserías is a common single-word way.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cada (each), mala (bad) and palabra (word).
Which one should you use?
While cada mala palabra means "every bad word" in a distributive sense, todas las malas palabras is the more natural way to refer to the collective set of swear words in Spanish.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish contexts, mala can refer to a large suitcase or trunk. This is a completely different word from the mala meaning 'bad' used in mala palabra.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of malas palabras is closely tied to the idea of educación. To use them is not just to be 'rude' but to show a lack of proper upbringing.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of just saying someone used malas palabras, people might say they have a 'dirty mouth' (boca sucia).
Examples in context
- Me cago en todoI'm fed up with everything
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about a movie with a lot of swearing.
- LucíaEsta película tiene cada mala palabra imaginable.This movie has every bad word imaginable.
- DanielEs verdad, el lenguaje es muy fuerte.It's true, the language is very strong.
- Lucía¿Tú conoces cada mala palabra que dicen?Do you know every bad word they say?
- DanielNo, algunas son muy raras para mí.No, some are very strange to me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cada, mala, palabra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
