chica mala
/t͡ʃika mala/from spelling rules
The English phrase "nasty girl" is translated into Spanish as chica mala.
chica mala refers to a girl or woman who behaves badly or is morally rebellious.
Which one should you use?
While chica mala refers to a person who is morally bad or rebellious, the informal expression Chica pesada is used to describe an "annoying girl".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural ending: chicas malas.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃika mala/
Did you know?
- While mala usually means 'bad', it is also used in the phrase mala leche to describe someone with a bad temper or bad intentions, literally meaning 'bad milk'.
- While mala usually describes character, the word mala is also a noun meaning a 'large suitcase' or 'trunk'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a 'bad' person is sometimes described as having mala sombra, implying they have a 'bad shadow' or an ominous presence.
Examples in context
- Esa chica malintencionada está intentando arruinar nuestra amistad.That malignant girl is trying to ruin our friendship.
- Mi hermana es una chava mala, siempre está haciendo travesuras.My sister is a nasty girl, always up to mischief.
- Esa chica mala siempre causa problemas.That nasty girl always causes trouble.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are talking about a rebellious student.
- MaríaMira a esa alumna, es una chica mala.Look at that student, she is a nasty girl.
- MateoSí, nunca escucha al profesor.Yes, she never listens to the teacher.
- MaríaEs la chica mala de la clase.She is the nasty girl of the class.
- MateoEspero que cambie su actitud pronto.I hope she changes her attitude soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mala, CC BY-SA 4.0.
