How to Say "evil" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “evil” is “mal” — use 'mal' as an adjective to describe something negative or unfavorable, like a bad day or a bad situation. It is often used before a noun.
mal
malmal
Examples
Hoy es un mal día para ir a la playa.
Today is a bad day to go to the beach.
Fue un malentendido.
It was a misunderstanding.
El lobo es el mal personaje del cuento.
The wolf is the bad character in the story.
La película trata sobre la lucha entre el bien y el mal.
The movie is about the fight between good and evil.
The Shortening Rule
The adjective 'malo' changes to 'mal' ONLY when it comes right before a masculine noun. For example, 'un día malo' becomes 'un mal día'.
Always Masculine
When 'mal' is a noun, it's always masculine. You'll always see it with 'el' or 'un', as in 'el mal' (the evil).
Using `mal` after the noun
Mistake: “Es un día mal.”
Correction: Es un día malo. The short form 'mal' can only go before the noun. If you put the adjective after, you must use the full form 'malo'.
Confusing it with the adverb
Mistake: “La lucha entre el bien y mal.”
Correction: La lucha entre el bien y el mal. When it's a noun representing the concept of 'evil', it needs an article like 'el' before it.
mal
Examples
La película trata sobre la lucha entre el bien y el mal.
The movie is about the fight between good and evil.
malo
MAH-loh'malo
Examples
El villano de la historia es un hombre muy malo.
The villain of the story is a very evil man.
No comas ese pollo, está malo.
Don't eat that chicken, it's spoiled.
Me siento un poco malo hoy, creo que tengo fiebre.
I feel a little sick today, I think I have a fever.
Using 'ser' vs. 'estar'
'Ser malo' describes a permanent quality, like a person's character ('Él es malo' - He is an evil person). 'Estar malo' describes a temporary state, like spoiled food ('La leche está mala') or being sick ('Estoy malo').
Mixing up 'ser' and 'estar'
Mistake: “La sopa es mala.”
Correction: La sopa está mala. If you mean the soup has gone bad, use 'estar'. Saying 'es mala' suggests the recipe itself is fundamentally bad.
maldad
mal-DADmalˈðað
Examples
La película exploraba la naturaleza de la maldad humana.
The film explored the nature of human evil.
No podía creer que hubiera tanta maldad en el mundo.
He couldn't believe there was so much wickedness in the world.
Always Feminine
Remember that 'maldad' is a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' before it, not 'el'.
Confusing Noun and Adjective
Mistake: “Using *maldad* to describe a person (e.g., *El hombre es maldad*).”
Correction: Use the adjective *malo* or *malvado* to describe someone. *El hombre es malo* (The man is bad).
malvado
mal-VAH-domalˈbaðo
Examples
El dictador era famoso por sus actos malvados contra su propio pueblo.
The dictator was famous for his wicked acts against his own people.
Ella puso una sonrisa malvada cuando ganó la partida.
She put on an evil smile when she won the game.
Gender and Number Match
Remember that 'malvado' is an adjective, so it must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'malvada' for feminine singular (la bruja malvada) and 'malvados/malvadas' for plural.
Confusing 'Malo' and 'Malvado'
Mistake: “Using 'malo' when you mean truly evil.”
Correction: 'Malo' usually means 'bad' or 'poor quality.' Use 'malvado' when you mean 'wicked' or 'evil' in a moral sense. 'Una manzana mala' (A bad apple) vs. 'Un hombre malvado' (A wicked man).
maligno
mah-LEEG-nohmaˈliɣno
Examples
El villano de la película tenía un plan maligno.
The movie villain had an evil plan.
Había una presencia maligna en la vieja casa abandonada.
There was an evil presence in the old abandoned house.
No te dejes llevar por esos pensamientos malignos.
Don't let yourself be carried away by those wicked thoughts.
Matching the Word Ending
Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match what you are describing. Use 'maligno' for masculine things (un plan) and 'maligna' for feminine things (una risa).
Where to Put the Word
In most cases, you should place this word after the noun it describes to sound natural (e.g., 'el genio maligno').
Don't use it for small 'bad' things
Mistake: “Esa manzana es maligna.”
Correction: Esa manzana está mala. (Use 'maligno' for serious evil or harm, not for rotten food or small mistakes.)
perverso
per-BEHR-sohpeɾˈβeɾso
Examples
El villano de la película tenía un plan perverso para dominar la ciudad.
The movie villain had a wicked plan to take over the city.
A veces las redes sociales pueden tener un efecto perverso en la autoestima.
Sometimes social media can have a perverse (harmful/opposite) effect on self-esteem.
Es una mente perversa que disfruta con el sufrimiento ajeno.
It is a twisted mind that enjoys the suffering of others.
Matching Gender and Number
Remember that this word changes to 'perversa' if you are describing something feminine, and you add an 's' (perversos/perversas) for groups.
Placement for Emphasis
Placing 'perverso' after the noun (e.g., 'un hombre perverso') sounds factual, while placing it before (e.g., 'un perverso hombre') adds a more dramatic, poetic, or storytelling tone.
Don't confuse with 'travieso'
Mistake: “Calling a naughty child 'perverso'.”
Correction: Use 'travieso' for children who are playful/naughty. 'Perverso' implies real malice or evil.
Perverso vs. Pervertido
Mistake: “Using 'perverso' exclusively for sexual contexts.”
Correction: While they can overlap, 'pervertido' is specifically 'perverted' in a sexual sense, whereas 'perverso' is much broader, usually meaning 'wicked' or 'cruel'.
Mal vs. Malo
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