maldita
/mal-DEE-tah/
damn
When placed before a noun, 'maldita' is used informally to express strong frustration or annoyance, similar to 'damn' in English (e.g., 'la maldita máquina de café').
maldita(Adjective)
damn
?used before a noun to show frustration or annoyance
darn
?a milder alternative
,freaking
?a common, slightly less vulgar alternative to 'fucking'
📝 In Action
¡Esta maldita máquina de café nunca funciona!
B1This damn coffee machine never works!
Se me olvidaron las malditas llaves dentro del coche.
B1I forgot the damn keys inside the car.
Tengo que leer otro maldito capítulo para la clase de mañana.
B2I have to read another freaking chapter for tomorrow's class.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement is Everything
To use 'maldita' for emphasis, you almost always put it before the thing you're talking about. For example, 'la maldita lluvia' (the damn rain). This signals you're frustrated, not that the rain is literally cursed.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Match Gender
Mistake: "Me molesta este maldita ruido."
Correction: Me molesta este maldito ruido. Because 'ruido' (noise) is a masculine word, you need to use the masculine form, 'maldito'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Know Your Audience
While very common, this word is informal and can sound a bit aggressive. It's perfect for showing frustration among friends, but you'd want to avoid it in a professional email or when talking to your boss.
Used literally, 'maldita' means 'cursed' or 'damned,' describing something under a spell or truly evil (e.g., 'la casa maldita').
maldita(Adjective)
cursed
?having an evil spell or curse placed upon it
wicked
?evil or morally wrong
,damned
?condemned, especially to hell
📝 In Action
La leyenda cuenta la historia de una bruja maldita.
B2The legend tells the story of a cursed witch.
Creían que la casa estaba maldita y por eso nadie la compraba.
B2They believed the house was cursed, and that's why nobody would buy it.
Es una persona maldita, no tiene compasión por nadie.
C1She is a wicked person; she has no compassion for anyone.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement Changes Meaning
When 'maldita' comes after the thing it describes (e.g., 'la casa maldita'), it usually carries this more literal meaning of being cursed. This is the opposite of the frustration meaning, which comes before.
⭐ Usage Tips
Telling Stories
This meaning is perfect for storytelling or being dramatic. If you're talking about a haunted house, a legendary monster, or a fairytale villain, this is the 'maldita' you'll want to use.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: maldita
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is the best way to say 'This damn pen doesn't write'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'maldita' a bad swear word?
It's a mild swear word, like 'damn' or 'darn' in English. It's very common and informal, but you probably wouldn't say it in a business meeting or to your grandmother. The phrase '¡maldita sea!' ('damn it!') is a common expression of frustration.
What's the difference between 'maldita' and 'maldito'?
They mean the same thing, but they have to match the gender of the word they describe. 'Maldita' is for feminine words (like 'la casa', the house), and 'maldito' is for masculine words (like 'el coche', the car). So you'd say 'la maldita casa' but 'el maldito coche'.