How to Say "malice" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “malice” is “leche” — use 'mala leche' to describe someone's generally ill-tempered, mean-spirited, or spiteful nature, often in informal contexts.
Use 'mala leche' to describe someone's generally ill-tempered, mean-spirited, or spiteful nature, often in informal contexts.
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Use 'maldad' when referring to the abstract concept of evil or the deliberate intention to cause harm or suffering.
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Use 'veneno' metaphorically to describe words or actions that are full of bitterness, spite, or deeply hurtful negative feelings.
Learn more →LEH-chehˈletʃe
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.)
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).
veh-NEH-nohbeˈne.no
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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