malas
“malas” means “bad” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
bad, poor
Also: naughty, evil
📝 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).
bad luck, bad habits
Also: bad women/girls
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: malas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'malas' to describe 'ideas'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Malas' comes from the Latin word *malus*, meaning 'bad' or 'evil'. It has been used in Spanish since its earliest days, retaining the core meaning of negativity or poor quality.
First recorded: c. 10th century (in archaic forms)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
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.