maldito
/mal-DEE-toh/
damn
Used informally, maldito means 'damn' or 'darn,' expressing strong frustration with an object or situation.
maldito(Adjective)
damn
?as in 'this damn computer'
darn
?a milder equivalent
,bloody
?UK English equivalent
📝 In Action
¡Este maldito coche no arranca!
B1This damn car won't start!
Se me olvidaron las llaves otra vez, ¡qué maldita suerte!
B1I forgot the keys again, what darn/bad luck!
No encuentro el maldito control remoto por ninguna parte.
B2I can't find the damn remote control anywhere.
💡 Grammar Points
Goes Before the Noun
When you use 'maldito' to show you're annoyed, it almost always goes before the thing you're complaining about. For example, 'el maldito tráfico' (the damn traffic), not 'el tráfico maldito'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it in Formal Situations
Mistake: "Profesor, el maldito proyector no funciona."
Correction: Using 'maldito' with a teacher or boss is too informal and can sound rude. A better choice is to just state the problem: 'El proyector no funciona' (The projector isn't working).
⭐ Usage Tips
Your Go-To Frustration Word
Think of this as your all-purpose word for complaining. You can put it in front of almost any noun when you're frustrated with it: 'maldito lunes' (damn Monday), 'maldita lluvia' (damn rain).
Used formally, maldito means 'cursed' or 'damned,' referring to something under a supernatural spell or condemnation.
maldito(Adjective)
cursed
?under a curse or spell
damned
?condemned, especially in a religious sense
📝 In Action
La leyenda habla de un tesoro maldito que trae desgracia a quien lo encuentra.
B2The legend speaks of a cursed treasure that brings misfortune to whoever finds it.
En la historia, el fantasma era un alma maldita, condenada a vagar para siempre.
C1In the story, the ghost was a damned soul, condemned to wander forever.
💡 Grammar Points
Matches Gender and Number
Like most descriptive words (adjectives), 'maldito' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'maldita' for feminine things ('la casa maldita'), 'malditos' for masculine plural, and 'malditas' for feminine plural.
Goes After the Noun
Unlike the informal 'damn', this more serious meaning usually comes after the noun it describes. For example, 'un hombre maldito' (a cursed man).
⭐ Usage Tips
For Dramatic Flair
This meaning is quite strong and a bit old-fashioned. Use it when you want to sound like you're telling a dramatic story about something truly evil or supernaturally bad.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: maldito
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'maldito' to mean 'damn' (expressing frustration)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'maldito' a very rude word? Can I use it with anyone?
It's a mild swear word, similar to 'damn' or 'darn' in English. It's very common among friends and in informal situations. However, you should avoid using it in formal settings, like with a boss, a teacher, or elderly people you don't know well, as it could be seen as disrespectful.
What's the difference between 'maldito' and 'maldecir'?
'Maldito' is the descriptive word (adjective), like 'cursed' or 'damn'. 'Maldecir' is the action word (verb), meaning 'to curse' someone or something. For example, '¡Este es un teléfono maldito!' (This is a damn phone!), versus 'Voy a maldecir este teléfono.' (I'm going to curse this phone).
What does '¡Maldita sea!' mean?
'¡Maldita sea!' is a very common expression that means 'Damn it!' or 'For God's sake!'. It's used on its own to express frustration or anger about a situation.