malo
/ˈmalo/
The English word evil is translated into Spanish as malo. Wiktionary also lists malvado and escelerado.
Meaning: morally corrupt (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| malo | /ˈmalo/ | |
| malvado | /malˈbado/ | |
| escelerado | /esθeleɾado/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /esseleɾado/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| celerado | /θeleɾado/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seleɾado/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
These terms are used to describe someone or something that is morally corrupt. While the adjective malo is the standard way to express being evil, the noun mal is used to refer to the concept of evil or badness itself.
Which one should you use?
malo is the common, standard word for both bad and evil. malvado is a stronger option that carries a more literary connotation of wickedness or malice. escelerado and celerado are masculine forms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective malo must agree with the noun it describes. Use mala for feminine singular nouns, malos for masculine or mixed-gender plural nouns and malas for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- When talking about health, estoy malo can mean 'I am sick' rather than 'I am evil' or 'I am a bad person'.
- The term mal de ojo refers to the 'evil eye', a cultural belief that a malicious glare can cause misfortune or illness.
- The word malvado originates from the Late Latin term malifātius, which originally meant 'unfortunate' rather than evil.
Examples in context
- Era un conejo malo.That was an evil bunny.This sentence shows how to use malo to describe a bunny.Tatoeba #2494 by Shishir, translation #1289 by djinni74
- Ningún animal es malo.No animal is evil.This sentence demonstrates the use of malo in a negative statement about animals.Tatoeba #2078674 by marcelostockle, translation #12669559 by rul
- Era un conejo malvado.It was an evil bunny.This sentence illustrates the use of malvado to describe a bunny.Tatoeba #5000979 by DarkHollow, translation #1757075 by Shadd
- Este acto es extremadamente malvadoThis act is extremely evil
- El villano de la película es verdaderamente malvado.The villain in the movie is truly evil.
- Sus acciones inicuas no tienen justificación alguna.His/her wicked actions have no justification.
- El mundo está lleno de personas depravadas y sin escrúpulos.The world is full of depraved and unscrupulous people.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing a character in a movie.
- MaríaEse hombre en la película es muy malo.That man in the movie is very evil.
- DanielSí, es un personaje realmente malo.Yes, he is a truly evil character.
- MaríaNo me gusta que sea tan malo.I don't like that he is so evil.
- DanielEs parte de su papel de hombre malo.It is part of his role as a bad man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “evil” translations and entries malo, malvado, 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 malo, malvado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
