malas
/MAH-las/
bad
The word 'malas' can describe something of poor quality, like a bad or rotten fruit.
malas(Adjective)
bad
?quality, behavior, morality
,poor
?low quality, condition
naughty
?describing girls/women
,evil
?morally corrupt
📝 In Action
Las noticias eran muy malas.
A1The news was very bad.
Esas decisiones malas afectaron a la compañía.
A2Those poor decisions affected the company.
No comas esas manzanas; parecen malas.
A2Don't eat those apples; they look bad (spoiled).
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Agreement
'Malas' must only be used to describe things that are both feminine and plural, like 'las ideas' (the ideas) or 'las actitudes' (the attitudes).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong form
Mistake: "La situación eran malas."
Correction: La situación era mala. (The thing described, 'situación,' is singular, so use 'mala.')
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
Like most descriptive adjectives, 'malas' usually goes after the noun (e.g., 'personas malas'), but can go before the noun to add emphasis or indicate inherent quality (e.g., 'malas costumbres').
When used as a noun, 'malas' can refer to bad luck or misfortune.
malas(Noun)
bad luck
?referring to fortune or fate
,bad habits
?when referring to 'las malas'
bad women/girls
?referring to people negatively
📝 In Action
Siempre que juego, estoy de malas.
B1Whenever I gamble, I have bad luck (or I'm in a bad mood).
¡Qué malas! Nos engañaron y se fueron sin pagar.
B2How awful (referring to the women)! They tricked us and left without paying.
Si sigues con las malas, terminarás en problemas.
C1If you continue with bad habits, you will end up in trouble.
💡 Grammar Points
Implied Noun
When 'malas' is used as a noun, it often stands for an implied feminine plural noun, such as 'cosas' (things), 'suertes' (fates), or 'personas' (people).
⭐ Usage Tips
Mood vs. Luck
The phrase 'estar de malas' can mean both 'to be in a bad mood' and 'to have bad luck,' depending on the context of the conversation.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: malas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'malas' to describe 'ideas'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether to use 'malas' or 'malos'?
The choice depends entirely on the gender of the noun you are describing. If the noun is feminine and plural (like 'noticias,' 'decisiones,' or 'actitudes'), use 'malas'. If the noun is masculine and plural (like 'resultados,' 'vecinos,' or 'momentos'), use 'malos'.
Can 'malas' ever mean 'illness' or 'sickness'?
No. When referring to being sick, Spanish uses the phrase 'estar mal' (to be unwell) or a specific word for the illness. 'Malas' only refers to bad quality, character, or misfortune.