Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| infame | /inˈfame/ |
| de mala fama | /de mala fama/ (from spelling rules) |
| malfamado | /malfaˈmado/ |
| malafamado | /malafamado/ (from spelling rules) |
Spanish has several ways to express that something or someone has a bad reputation. You can use the common phrase de mala fama to describe a person, place or thing with a negative reputation. The terms malfamado and malafamado both mean 'ill-reputed' or 'having a bad reputation'. Additionally, the formal term notorio can serve as an alternative when you want to describe something as notorious or widely known in a negative way.
Which one should you use?
While the English 'infamous' describes someone with a bad reputation, the Spanish word infame can also mean 'vile' or 'despicable' in a moral sense. Additionally, when describing a bad reputation, malafamado is generally more common than malfamado.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Both malfamado and malafamado are used to mean 'having a bad reputation', but malafamado is more common in many regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective infame is invariant in gender, so it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. The plural form is infames.
How do you pronounce it?
/inˈfame/
Did you know?
- In some legal contexts in Spanish, infamia is not just a bad reputation but a specific legal status. Historically, it referred to a loss of civil rights resulting from a criminal conviction.
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, calling a meal or a piece of food infame doesn't mean it's 'notorious', but rather that it tastes absolutely terrible or is low quality.
- Spanish speakers use notorio as a synonym for 'notorious'. However, unlike the English 'notorious', notorio can sometimes be used neutrally to mean something is simply 'obvious' or 'evident'.
Examples in context
- Ha habido muchos genocidios en la historia, pero el más famoso (o infame) es aquél perpetrado por los Nazis.There have been many genocides in history, but the most famous (or infamous) is that perpetrated by the Nazis.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of infame in a historical context.Tatoeba #741561 by darinmex, translation #741559 by darinmex
- El asesino en serie se ganó una reputación infame en la ciudad.The serial killer earned an infamous reputation in the city.
- El político está involucrado en un caso de corrupción notorio en todo el país.The politician is involved in a notorious corruption case throughout the country.
- ¡Ese helado tiene un sabor infame!That ice cream has a dreadful taste!
- Ese es un criminal infame.That is an infamous criminal.
- Su nombre es infame en este pueblo.His name is infamous in this town.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a character in a historical novel.
- Lucía¿Es ese personaje un hombre infame?Is that character an infamous man?
- AlejandroSí, es un villano muy infame.Yes, he is a very infamous villain.
- LucíaEntiendo por qué la historia lo recuerda.I understand why history remembers him.
- AlejandroExacto, sus acciones fueron terribles.Exactly, his actions were terrible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “infamous” translations and entries infame, malfamado, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
