mal
/mal/
In French, the word for the English phrase "evil" is mal.
The word mal is used to refer to evil as a noun, representing the concept of moral badness or wickedness. When discussing evil as an abstract concept, such as the battle between good and evil, it is used with the definite article as le mal.
Meaning: morally corrupt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While mal is the noun used for "evil" or "badness", the adjective mauvais is used to describe something as "bad". If you wish to describe a person or a character as being "evil" or "mean", the adjective méchant is more commonly used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/mal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using mal as an adjective to mean "bad". While English speakers often make this error, mal functions as a noun or an adverb. You should use mauvais when you need the adjective "bad".
Did you know?
- While mal refers to moral evil, it is also the word used to describe a physical 'ache' or 'pain', as in mal de tête for a headache.
- In French, the phrase le mal du pays translates literally as 'the evil of the country', but it actually means 'homesickness'.
- The adjective méchant used for 'evil' people originally meant 'badly singing' or 'badly speaking' in Old French.
Examples in context
- Le mal gagne toujours.Evil always wins.This sentence shows how to use mal to describe evil winning.Tatoeba #10064430 by Micsmithel, translation #1268021 by CM
- C'est un mal nécessaire.It's a necessary evil.This sentence illustrates the phrase "a necessary evil" using mal.Tatoeba #2239565 by Rovo, translation #2239554 by Hybrid
- Tom est un génie du mal.Tom is an evil genius.This sentence uses mal to describe an "evil genius".Tatoeba #8605870 by valhentai, translation #7067354 by Hybrid
- Les forces du mal ont été vaincues.The forces of evil have been defeated.
- Son sourire trahissait une certaine méchanceté.Her smile revealed a certain evilness.
- On raconte que cette maison est victime d'un maléfice.It is said that this house is under an evil spell.
- Les actions qu'il a commises sont empreintes de vilénie.The actions he has committed are filled with evilness.
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are discussing a villain in a movie.
- NathanCe personnage est vraiment mal.This character is truly evil.
- ManonOui, il n'a aucune pitié.Yes, he has no mercy.
- NathanIl fait des choses terribles.He does terrible things.
- ManonC'est un esprit malveillant.He is an evil spirit.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
