Inklingo

How to Say "malice" in Spanish

English → Spanish

leche

LEH-cheh/ˈletʃe/

nounB1informal
Use 'mala leche' to describe someone's generally ill-tempered, mean-spirited, or spiteful nature, often in informal contexts.
A small cartoonish figure standing with arms crossed tightly, frowning severely, and stomping one foot to show intense anger or bad temper.

Examples

Ten cuidado con ella, tiene muy mala leche.

Be careful with her, she has a very bad temper (or: she's very mean-spirited).

Es una broma sin mala leche; solo queríamos reír.

It's a joke with no ill will; we just wanted to laugh.

Fixed Phrases

This meaning almost always appears inside the fixed phrases 'tener mala leche' or 'tener buena leche.' Don't try to use 'leche' by itself to mean 'temper'—it won't make sense.

Using 'Leche' Alone

Mistake: “Mi amigo es leche.”

Correction: Mi amigo tiene mala leche. (You must include 'mala' or 'buena' and the verb 'tener' to describe a person's temperament.)

maldad

mal-DAD/malˈðað/

nounB1
Use 'maldad' when referring to the abstract concept of evil or the deliberate intention to cause harm or suffering.
A colorful landscape featuring a solitary, healthy green tree on a bright hill. A creeping, dark swirl of deep purple and black shadow is moving across the ground towards the tree, symbolizing general evil.

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).

veneno

veh-NEH-noh/beˈne.no/

nounB2
Use 'veneno' metaphorically to describe words or actions that are full of bitterness, spite, or deeply hurtful negative feelings.
A simple illustration of a person's torso silhouette with dark, swirling purple smoke emanating strongly from the chest area, symbolizing malice or negative intent.

Examples

Sus palabras estaban llenas de veneno y crítica.

His words were full of malice and criticism.

Hay mucho veneno en ese ambiente de trabajo.

There is a lot of toxicity (or bitterness) in that work environment.

El veneno de la envidia puede destruir amistades.

The poison of envy can destroy friendships.

Using Prepositions

We often use the preposition 'de' (of) to specify what kind of figurative 'veneno' it is: 'veneno de la envidia' (the poison of envy).

Distinguishing 'leche' from 'maldad'

Learners often confuse 'mala leche' and 'maldad'. Remember that 'mala leche' is an informal idiom for a person's bad temper or spitefulness, while 'maldad' refers to a more general or abstract concept of evil or harmful intent.

Related Translations

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