Inklingo

malditas

mal-DEE-tas/malˈdi.tas/

malditas means damn in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

damn, bloody

Also: pesky, accursed
Adjectivef (Plural)B1informal
A small child stands next to a large, spilled ice cream cone on the ground, making an extremely frustrated, exaggerated face and stomping their foot, illustrating intense annoyance.

📝 In Action

¡Las malditas llaves no aparecen por ninguna parte!

B1

The damn keys won't show up anywhere!

Tengo que terminar estas malditas tareas antes de irme a dormir.

B2

I have to finish these bloody tasks before going to sleep.

Siempre hay colas malditas en el supermercado.

B1

There are always damn lines at the supermarket.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • malditas horasdamn hours
  • malditas cosasdamn things

cursed, wicked

Also: condemned
Adjectivef (Plural)C1
A simple, antique wooden treasure chest sits alone on a stone floor, emitting a swirling, ominous green and purple mist from its slightly opened lid, signifying a curse.

📝 In Action

Las brujas malditas fueron desterradas del pueblo para siempre.

C1

The cursed witches were banished from the village forever.

El libro describía las almas malditas que vagaban por el purgatorio.

C2

The book described the condemned souls that wandered through purgatory.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • condenadas (condemned)
  • malvadas (wicked)

Antonyms

  • benditas (blessed)
  • sagradas (sacred)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "malditas" in Spanish:

accursedcondemnedpesky

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: malditas

Question 1 of 2

If you are frustrated because your neighbors are making too much noise (ruidos, masculine plural), which word form should you use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the verb *maldecir* (to speak ill of), which itself comes directly from the Latin *maledicere*. This Latin word is a combination of *male* (badly) and *dicere* (to speak or say). So, the word literally means 'badly spoken of' or 'badly wished upon.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: maledettoFrench: maudit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'malditas' rude or offensive?

When used as an intensifier (like 'damn'), it is generally considered informal and strong, but not usually highly offensive unless directed at a person in anger. It’s best reserved for expressing frustration with objects or situations, not people.

How do I use this word with masculine nouns?

You must change the ending! For masculine nouns, use 'malditos' (plural) or 'maldito' (singular). For example, 'los malditos problemas' (the damn problems).