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Video Dictionary for Language Learners

The meaning of the Spanish word "mala" and how you use it

1
mala
(adj.) (fem.) (sing.) bad; mean; evil
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
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Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
¡ Qué mala suerte !
What bad luck!
Su tía es muy mala .
Her aunt is very mean.
Quiz Yourself on " mala"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
How to Draw Hands
¡ Qué mala broma !
What a bad joke!
My Card Matters: Protecting Your Credit
no es justa ni coherente y es una mala idea .
isn't fair nor coherent and it's a bad idea.
Superstitions in Spanish - Part 1 of 2
Por ejemplo , trae mala suerte levantarse de la cama con el pie izquierdo ,
For example, it brings bad luck to get up from bed on the left foot,
Quiz Yourself on " mala"
2
da...mala...espina
(idiom) (present) (usted / él / ella) make(s) uneasy; make(s) (someone) suspicious
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Esa noticia me da mala espina .
That news makes me uneasy.
Este resultado nos da mala espina .
This result makes us suspicious.
Quiz Yourself on " da... mala... espina"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
5 Body Language Tools
Cuando hablo con gente que no sonríe , me cuesta confiar , porque me da mala espina y la impresión de que no es agradable .
When I speak with people who don't smile, it's hard for me to trust, because it makes me uneasy and the impression that he or she isn't pleasant.
Quiz Yourself on " da... mala... espina"
3
mala
(n.) (fem.) (sing.) bad person/one/female; (female) villain
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
La mala necesita ayuda .
The bad one needs help.
La mala toma pastillas .
The villain takes pills.
Quiz Yourself on " mala"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
The Story Behind Maleficent
No obstante , la mala de este relato también ha ido variando y evolucionando con el tiempo ,
Nevertheless, the villian of this story has also continued changing and evolving over time,
"Blame Me" - Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato
Y aunque duela tanto , tengo que aceptar que no eres la mala , que el malo soy yo .
And although it hurts so much, I have to accept that you're not the bad one, that the bad one is me.
Quiz Yourself on " mala"
4
a la mala
(phrase) (colloquial) the hard way

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Esto lo aprendí a la mala .
I learned this the hard way.
Lo hice a la mala porque no estudié .
I did it the hard way because I didn't study.
Quiz Yourself on " a la mala"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
Habits That Can Help You Improve Your Life
Algo que aprendí , ahora sí que a la mala , fue cuidar de mi piel y de mi cuerpo .
Something I learned, this time it was the hard way, was to take care of my skin and my body.
Habits That Can Help You Improve Your Life
Así que lo aprendí a la mala y pues , ni modo ; aprendí que cuidar tu piel también es un acto de amor propio .
So I learned it the hard way and well, too bad; I learned that taking care of your skin is also an act of self-love.
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5
mala suerte
(phrase) (fem.) (sing.) bad luck

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Tengo mala suerte .
I have bad luck.
Su mala suerte lo arruinó todo .
His bad luck ruined everything.
Quiz Yourself on " mala suerte"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
The Secret Origin of "Miraculous"
alguien que representara la mala suerte ; por ejemplo , un gato negro .
someone who represented bad luck; for example, a black cat.
Quiz Yourself on " mala suerte"

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