malo
/ˈmalo/
In Spanish, 'mean' can be translated as malo.
The word malo is used to describe someone who is intending to cause harm, whether they are successful in doing so or not. In a general sense, Spanish uses malo to cover both the English words 'bad' and 'mean' to describe a person's character or behavior.
Meaning: of a word: to signify (verb)
Which one should you use?
While English uses 'mean' to describe both a person's character and a person's behavior toward others, Spanish uses malo to cover both 'bad' and 'mean' in a general sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexican Spanish slang, the phrase mala onda is used to describe a 'bad vibe' or someone who is being mean-spirited. Additionally, the informal term cortante can be used to describe a person who is being blunt, curt or showing a mean attitude.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective malo must agree in both gender and number with the noun it describes. Use mala for feminine nouns, malos for masculine plural nouns and malas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmalo/
Did you know?
- While English speakers might use 'mean' to describe a mathematical average, Spanish uses the word promedio for that purpose.
- To describe someone who is 'mean' in the sense of being stingy with money, Spanish speakers often avoid malo and instead use tacaño. Using malo in this context would be misunderstood as a comment on their morality.
- In some contexts, malo is used as a playful or ironic term of endearment for children or pets who are being 'naughty' but cute. This mirrors how English speakers might call a mischievous puppy 'a little monster'.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué tipo tan malo!What a mean fellow!This sentence is useful for describing a mean fellow using malo.Tatoeba #3804635 by cueyayotl, translation #36007 by CM
- ¿Por qué eres malo conmigo?Why are you being mean to me?This sentence shows how to ask why someone is being mean to you using malo.Tatoeba #4776432 by DarkHollow, translation #3355300 by _undertoad
- ¿Por qué eres tan malo conmigo?Why are you so mean to me?This sentence demonstrates asking why someone is being so mean to you using malo.Tatoeba #9931860 by Shishir, translation #3822538 by CK
- Esos chicos tienen mala ondaThose kids are mean.
- María fue muy cortante conmigoMaría was really mean to me.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are studying a new language together.
- Sofía¿Qué significa esta palabra, Javier?What does this word mean, Javier?
- JavierCreo que significa que alguien es malo.I think it means that someone is mean.
- SofíaAh, entiendo, es un adjetivo negativo.Oh, I see, it's a negative adjective.
- JavierExacto, describe a una persona mala.Exactly, it describes a mean person.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry malo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
