malus
[ˈma.ɫʊs]
The English word mean is translated into Latin as malus.
If you are instead looking for the verb meaning 'to mean' in the sense of a word signifying or representing a specific meaning, you would use more formal terms such as significare to indicate something or designare to denote or specify a meaning.
Meaning: of a word: to signify (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes depending on the gender and number of the person or thing you are describing: malus is the masculine form, mala is the feminine form, malum is the neuter form and mali is the plural form.
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Examples in context
- "Quia fortasse rides me." "Unde oritur ista suspicio?" "Quia es malus." "Omnes sumus mali quidem, at ego non sum pejor te. Nemo ridet igitur, nisi irrideat aliquem?""Because maybe you're laughing at me." "Where does that suspicion come from?" "Because you're mean." "We are all mean, but I'm no worse than you. Then does no one laugh, unless he is laughing at someone?"This sentence uses malus to describe a person's character.Tatoeba #7423361 by carlosalberto, translation #7435836 by CarpeLanam
- Verbum "amicus" amicum significatThe word "friend" signifies a friend.
- Hoc verbum aliam rem intenditThis word means something else.
- Nomen "puella" puellam designatThe word "girl" denotes a girl.
- Ille vir semper vultum malum habetThat man always has a mean expression.
Example conversation
Claudia and Lucius are studying a Latin text together.
- ClaudiaLuci, quid hoc verbum malus significat?Lucius, what does this word bad mean?
- LuciusSignificat aliquem qui non est bonus.It means someone who is not good.
- ClaudiaIntellego, gratias tibi ago.I understand, thank you.
- LuciusLibenter, Claudia.You're welcome, Claudia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry malus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
