not bad
in SpanishNo está mal
/noh ehs-TAH mahl/
This is the most direct and universally understood translation for 'not bad.' It's used to comment on the quality of something, like food, a movie, or a performance, indicating it's acceptable or decent.
When something is perfectly fine but not mind-blowing, a simple 'No está mal' is the perfect description.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Más o menos
/mahs oh MEH-nohs/
Literally 'more or less,' this is the classic way to say 'so-so' or 'okay.' It's most often used to answer '¿Cómo estás?' (How are you?) when you're not feeling great but also not terrible.
Bastante bien
/bahs-TAHN-teh byehn/
Meaning 'quite well' or 'pretty good,' this is a slightly more positive version of 'not bad.' It's a very common and natural-sounding response that shows things are generally going well.
Nada mal
/NAH-dah mahl/
This means 'not bad at all' and carries a stronger, more positive sense of approval. It often expresses pleasant surprise, suggesting something is better than expected.
Regular
/rreh-goo-LAHR/
Similar to 'Más o menos,' this means 'so-so,' 'okay,' or 'just regular.' It often has a slightly negative or weary connotation, implying things could be better.
No me quejo
/noh meh KEH-hoh/
This translates to 'I'm not complaining' or 'Can't complain.' It's a folksy, generally positive way to say that things are good enough.
Ahí vamos / Ahí andamos
/ah-EE VAH-mohs/ /ah-EE ahn-DAH-mohs/
Literally 'There we go' or 'There we walk,' this expression means 'we're getting by,' 'hanging in there,' or 'managing.' It conveys a sense of perseverance through the usual ups and downs.
Podría ser peor
/poh-DREE-ah sehr peh-OR/
Meaning 'Could be worse,' this phrase is used with a sense of humor or stoicism. It acknowledges that a situation isn't perfect but maintains a bit of perspective.
Pasable / Aceptable
/pah-SAH-bleh/ /ah-sehp-TAH-bleh/
These mean 'passable' and 'acceptable.' They are slightly more formal or detached ways of saying something meets the minimum standard but doesn't exceed it.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to choosing the best 'not bad' variation for your situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| No está mal | Neutral | Giving a decent opinion on things like food, movies, or performance. | You feel truly enthusiastic; 'está muy bien' or 'me encanta' is better. |
| Más o menos | Informal | Answering '¿Cómo estás?' when you feel 'so-so' or a bit down. | You're trying to give a positive compliment. |
| Bastante bien | Neutral | Expressing that things are 'pretty good' in a positive but not over-the-top way. | Things are actually just mediocre or bad. |
| No me quejo | Informal | A friendly, positive response to '¿Cómo estás?' showing contentment. | In very formal settings or when you actually do have complaints. |
| Nada mal | Informal | Expressing pleasant surprise that something is much better than expected. | You are genuinely unimpressed. |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally easy for English speakers. The 'r' in 'regular' and the vowel sounds are the main practice points.
The main challenge is remembering to use the verb 'estar' instead of 'ser' ('No está mal' vs. 'No es malo'), which is a fundamental but tricky concept for learners.
Understanding that 'no está mal' is less of an understatement than in English, and knowing when to use 'más o menos' vs. 'bastante bien' requires some social context.
Key Challenges:
- Correctly using 'estar' instead of 'ser'.
- Choosing the right variation based on context and desired positivity.
- Mastering the natural intonation to convey the right feeling.
💡Examples in Action
—¿Qué te pareció la película? —No está mal, pero el libro es mejor.
—What did you think of the movie? —Not bad, but the book is better.
—¡Hola, Carlos! ¿Cómo estás? —¡Hola! Pues, más o menos, un poco cansado hoy.
—Hi, Carlos! How are you? —Hey! Well, so-so, a little tired today.
Para ser tu primer intento, este pastel no está nada mal.
For being your first attempt, this cake is not bad at all.
—¿Cómo va el proyecto? —Ahí vamos, poco a poco. Estará listo para el viernes.
—How's the project going? —We're getting there, little by little. It will be ready by Friday.
El servicio en el hotel fue simplemente aceptable, nada especial.
The service at the hotel was just acceptable, nothing special.
🌍Cultural Context
The Understatement Gap
In English, saying 'not bad' can be a huge understatement for 'excellent!' In Spanish, 'No está mal' is typically more literal. It genuinely means it's acceptable or pretty good, but probably not amazing. To express that something is surprisingly great, you'd more likely use '¡Nada mal!' with an enthusiastic tone.
The Honesty of 'Más o Menos'
'Más o menos' (so-so) is an extremely common response to '¿Cómo estás?'. Unlike in some English-speaking cultures where the default answer is a positive 'Fine, thanks!', giving a neutral or slightly negative answer like 'más o menos' or 'regular' is perfectly normal and honest in the Spanish-speaking world. Be prepared for the person to ask what's wrong, though!
'Can't Complain' Attitude
Phrases like 'No me quejo' (I can't complain) and 'Ahí vamos' (We're getting by) reflect a common cultural perspective of resilience and contentment. They communicate that while life may not be perfect, one is managing and carrying on, which is a very relatable and friendly sentiment to express.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Saying 'No es mal' instead of 'No está mal'."
Correction: Always use 'No está mal' to give an opinion on something's quality.
Literal but Wrong Translation
Mistake: "Saying 'no malo' to mean 'not bad'."
Correction: Use a full phrase like 'No está mal' or 'Nada mal'.
Overusing 'Más o Menos'
Mistake: "Using 'más o menos' to describe the quality of a movie or food."
Correction: Use 'No está mal' or 'Estuvo bien' (It was good).
💡Pro Tips
Match the Phrase to the Feeling
Choose your phrase carefully. Use 'Bastante bien' for a positive feel, 'No está mal' for a neutral assessment, and 'Más o menos' or 'Regular' when you're feeling a bit down or unenthusiastic. Using the right one makes you sound much more natural.
Let Your Tone Do the Talking
The meaning of 'No está mal' can change a lot with your tone. A quick, upbeat '¡No está mal!' sounds like a genuine compliment. A slow, drawn-out 'Noo... está... mal...' can sound dismissive or unimpressed. Practice saying it with different emotions.
Go Beyond 'Bien'
When someone asks '¿Cómo estás?', try responding with something other than the textbook 'Bien, gracias'. Using 'No me quejo' or 'Ahí andamos' will make you sound more like a native speaker and can open up a more genuine conversation.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
'Regular' is a very common and slightly pessimistic response to '¿Qué tal?'. 'No está mal' is used frequently as a straightforward assessment of quality for everything from wine to a soccer match.
Mexico
'Más o menos' is the quintessential 'so-so' response. 'Ahí la llevo' (I'm carrying it along) is a very common and friendly alternative to 'Ahí vamos', meaning 'I'm managing.'
Argentina
The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is standard. 'Zafa' is a very common slang term from Lunfardo that perfectly captures the idea of something being just barely acceptable or 'not bad.'
Caribbean (e.g., Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
Conversations are fast-paced. A simple 'Ahí' (There) can be a full response to '¿Cómo estás?', meaning 'I'm getting by.' It's a testament to the efficient and rhythmic nature of Caribbean Spanish.
💬What Comes Next?
You answer 'Más o menos' when asked how you are.
¿Por qué? ¿Todo bien?
Why? Is everything okay?
Sí, solo un poco cansado/a, es todo.
Yeah, just a little tired, that's all.
Someone comments on your cooking with 'No está mal'.
No está mal este plato.
This dish isn't bad.
¿De verdad te gusta? ¡Qué bueno!
Do you really like it? That's great!
You use 'Ahí vamos' to describe how a project is going.
Ahí vamos con el informe.
We're getting there with the report.
Perfecto, si necesitas ayuda, avísame.
Perfect, if you need help, let me know.
🧠Memory Tricks
This silly visual connects the sound 'mal' to 'mall' and helps you remember the phrase's neutral, 'it's acceptable' meaning.
This mnemonic links the sound 'bastante' to a strong English word 'bastion,' associating it with a positive and solid meaning.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the English tendency for understatement. An American might describe an Oscar-winning film as 'not bad' to mean it was incredible. In Spanish, 'No está mal' is far more literal and means 'it's decent.' To convey 'surprisingly great,' you'd need the more emphatic '¡Nada mal!' or a genuinely positive phrase like '¡Es buenísima!' (It's great!).
Spanish speakers are often more direct in their opinions. While 'no está mal' is a moderate expression, you're just as likely to hear a very clear 'Está bueno' (It's good) or 'No me gusta' (I don't like it). There's less of a cultural need to soften opinions with phrases like 'not bad' as is common in British or American English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: 'No está mal' lacks the sarcastic or understated enthusiasm of the English phrase. Using it for something you loved might sound like you were actually underwhelmed.
Use instead: For something amazing, use 'Es increíble,' 'Me encanta,' or 'Es genial.' For pleasant surprise, '¡Oye, pues nada mal!' works well.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'It's good'
It's the natural positive counterpart to 'not bad.'
How to say 'I like it'
This is the next step in expressing a more personal and positive opinion.
How to say 'so-so'
Deepens your understanding of 'Más o menos' and 'Regular,' which are key variations of 'not bad.'
How to ask 'How are you?'
Many 'not bad' variations are direct answers to this essential question.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: not bad
Question 1 of 4
Your friend asks you '¿Qué tal tu día?' (How was your day?). It was okay, but a bit boring and tiring. What's the most natural response?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'No está mal' and 'Más o menos'?
Think context. 'No está mal' is mostly used to give an opinion on the quality of a *thing* (a movie, food, a car). 'Más o menos' is overwhelmingly used to describe a *state of being* (how you feel, how your day was). Using 'más o menos' for a movie sounds a bit strange; it's better to say 'no está mal'.
Is it rude to say 'regular' or 'más o menos' when someone asks how I am?
Not at all! It's considered honest and is very common in Spanish-speaking cultures. In fact, it can lead to a more genuine conversation than the automatic 'Fine, thanks.' Just be prepared for them to ask '¿Qué pasa?' (What's up?) out of genuine concern.
How can I say 'not bad at all' to sound more enthusiastic?
The best phrase is 'Nada mal' or 'No está nada mal'. The word 'nada' (nothing) adds emphasis, turning a neutral comment into a positive one, much like 'at all' in English. Your tone of voice is key here to show you're impressed.
Can I use 'No está mal' to answer '¿Cómo estás?'
Yes, you can, but it's less common than other options. It would mean 'I'm not doing badly.' It's grammatically correct, but native speakers would more naturally say 'Bastante bien,' 'No me quejo,' or 'Ahí vamos' for a similar meaning.
Why is it 'No está mal' and not 'No es mal'?
This is the classic 'ser' vs 'estar' difference. We use 'estar' ('está') for temporary conditions, opinions, or states. When you say a movie is 'not bad,' that's your opinion or its current state of quality. We use 'ser' ('es') for permanent, inherent characteristics. 'El lobo es malo' means 'The wolf is evil' (its nature), not just that it's having a bad day.
Which is more positive: 'No está mal' or 'Bastante bien'?
'Bastante bien' is definitely more positive. 'No está mal' means it meets expectations (it's not bad). 'Bastante bien' means it exceeds them to some degree (it's pretty good). If you want to leave a clearly positive impression, choose 'bastante bien'.
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