How to Say "malicious" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “malicious” is “malvado” — use 'malvado' when referring to someone or something with a general intention to cause harm or evil, often associated with wickedness or cruelty..
malvado
/mal-VAH-do//malˈbaðo/
Examples
El villano de la película era un hombre malvado con un plan terrible.
The movie villain was an evil man with a terrible plan.
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-noh//maˈliɣno/
Examples
Tenía una intención maligna detrás de su aparente amabilidad.
He had a malicious intent behind his apparent kindness.
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.)
venenoso
/beh-neh-NOH-soh//be.neˈno.so/
Examples
Sus críticas fueron tan venenosas que hirieron profundamente a la artista.
His criticisms were so poisonous that they deeply hurt the artist.
Hizo un comentario venenoso sobre mi ropa.
He made a spiteful comment about my clothes.
No quiero estar en una relación tan venenosa.
I don't want to be in such a toxic relationship.
Su mirada era venenosa.
Her look was malicious.
Figurative usage
Just like in English, you can use physical 'poison' words to describe people's behavior. It functions exactly like an adjective describing a person's character.
Intensity
Malvado vs. Maligno
Related Translations
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