Adverb · A1 · Spanish glossary
Mal: badly, poorly
mal
Pronunciation: mahl (stress the capital letters)
Mal means “badly, poorly” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: badly, poorly
- How to say it: mahl
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “mal” means and how to use it
Mal means “badly” or “poorly.” It is the adverb form of “malo.”
Examples with audio
- Dormí mal anoche.I slept badly last night.
- Me siento mal.I feel bad.
- Pronuncio mal esa palabra.I pronounce that word badly.
Usage tip
Mal is an adverb: duermo mal. The adjective is “malo.” Before a masculine noun, “mal” also acts as the short form: un mal día.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “badly, poorly” in Spanish?
“badly, poorly” in Spanish is “mal.” It is pronounced mahl, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “mal”?
Say mahl. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
Practice “mal” for free
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