Using 'Malo,' 'Mal' and Related Words in Spanish

Malo is a common Spanish adjective meaning "bad" or in some way undesirable. The translation can vary depending on context. Its feminine form is mala, and through the process of apocopation, which is shortening, it can become mal when it comes before a singular masculine noun.

Its usual adverb form is mal, although the another related adverb form, malamente, can be used to mean "badly."

As an adjective, malo, mala or mal can almost always be translated as "bad," although other translations may be more suitable depending on the context. The plural forms are malos and malas.

Mal- is also a prefix that typically means "bad" or "undesirable." An example of that would be maleducado, which means "impolite," as "someone who didn't learn their manners."

Mal, Malo, Mala, Malos and Malas Used as Adjectives

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Mal Used as an Adverb

Common translations for mal as an adverb include "badly" and "poorly," although others can be used as well to fit the context.

Mal as an Adjective and Adverb at the Same Time

Sometimes mal functions as an adverb in Spanish, such as with estar, but in English may be translated as an adjective. 

Mal as a Noun

Especially when used with estar, mal sometimes means "sick" or "ill." Hoy yo y mi familia estamos mal, which means, "My family and I are sick today." This sentence can also be translated to mean literally and colloquially understood as "feeling sick" as in, "My family and I feel poorly today."

Mal can also be translated to mean "evil." In this case, it would need the definite article "the," literally translating to "the bad," which is the Spanish way of saying "evil."