cosas malas
/kosas malas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "mean stuff" is translated into Spanish as cosas malas.
cosas malas refers to unkind or cruel things that a person says or does. While it can also mean "bad things" in a general sense, such as describing bad weather or bad luck, it is specifically used to describe unkind behavior when used in a social context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, pendejo is used to mean fool and naco refers to a tacky person. In Argentina, boludo/a is used to mean stupid or idiot. In Spain, coño is often used to express annoyance or surprise.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase cosas malas follows the rule that the adjective malas must follow the noun cosas and must agree in both gender and number. The singular form of the phrase is cosa mala, meaning "a mean thing".
Did you know?
- In some regions, saying no digas cosas malas is not just about the content of the words, but is a superstitious plea to avoid 'tempting fate' or attracting bad luck.
- While cosas malas is a direct translation, if you want to describe 'mean stuff' in the sense of a person being a jerk, a Spaniard might say they are doing cosas canallas. The word canalla originally referred to a low-class person or a scoundrel.
- In Mexico, describing 'mean stuff' by calling someone malo can carry a much heavier connotation of being 'evil' or 'wicked' than the English word 'mean' usually implies.
Examples in context
- No me gusta que me digas esas cosas malas.I don't like you saying those mean things to me.
- No digas cosas malas.Don't say mean stuff.
- Él siempre dice cosas malas sobre los demás.He always says mean stuff about others.
- Me duele cuando haces cosas malas.It hurts when you do mean stuff.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a classmate's behavior.
- Mateo¿Por qué llora ella?Why is she crying?
- MaríaPorque un niño le dijo cosas malas.Because a boy said mean stuff to her.
- MateoEso es muy cruel.That is very cruel.
- MaríaSí, no debió hacer esas cosas malas.Yes, he shouldn't have done those mean things.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
