What does it mean word for word?
The phrase muy mal literally translates to 'very badly' in English.
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on whether you are modifying a verb or a noun. Use muy mal as an adverb to modify a verb. Use muy malo/a/os/as as an adjective to modify a noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the slang term requete malo/a is used to express that something is really bad.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase as an adjective to describe a noun, you must use muy malo/a/os/as to ensure the word agrees with the gender and number of the noun. When used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, use the adverbial form muy mal.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adverb muy mal to describe a noun, such as saying el libro es muy mal. You must use the adjective muy malo instead when describing the noun.
Did you know?
- While muy mal describes a bad state, Spanish speakers often use the phrase estoy mal to specifically signal they are struggling with their mental health or are heartbroken.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone malo is not always an insult, as it can be used playfully to describe someone as 'naughty' or even as a term of endearment.
- The word muy in the phrase muy mal shares an ancient ancestor with the Latin word 'multum', which means 'much' or 'many'.
Examples in context
- Esto está muy malo.This is really bad.This sentence shows the use of muy mal to describe the state of something.Tatoeba #7153327 by arh, translation #1898096 by CK
- Mi inglés es muy malo.My English is really bad.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to describe the quality of a language skill.Tatoeba #4936069 by cueyayotl, translation #10747460 by ddnktr
- Escribo poemas pero muy malos.I write poems, but they're really bad.This sentence uses the phrase to describe the quality of poems.Tatoeba #3672701 by Seael, translation #2819433 by Hybrid
- La situación en el país es muy mala.The situation in the country is very bad.
- Me siento muy mal por el incidente.I feel really bad about the incident.
- Su servicio en el restaurante fue pésimo.Their service at the restaurant was really bad.
- El estado de los baños es pésimo.The state of the bathrooms is really bad.
- Estoy muy mal porque suspendí el examen.I feel really bad because I failed the exam.
- El tráfico está muy mal hoy.The traffic is really bad today.
- ¡Qué terrible película! No la recomendaría.What a really bad movie! I wouldn't recommend it.
- Me siento terrible después de comer tanto.I feel really bad after eating so much.
- El trato en ese lugar es realmente malo.The treatment at that place is really bad indeed.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing a movie they just watched.
- Elena¿Qué te pareció la película, Mateo?What did you think of the movie, Mateo?
- MateoSinceramente, me pareció muy mal actuada.Honestly, I thought it was really badly acted.
- ElenaYo también creo que el final estuvo muy mal.I also think the ending was really bad.
- MateoSí, fue una pérdida de tiempo.Yes, it was a waste of time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mal, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
