Inklingo

How to Say "mean" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “mean” is “malo” — use 'malo' when describing someone as fundamentally unkind, wicked, or bad in character, often with a strong negative connotation.

malo🔊A2

Use 'malo' when describing someone as fundamentally unkind, wicked, or bad in character, often with a strong negative connotation.

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malvada🔊B1

Use 'malvada' for a less intense, often informal description of someone being wicked or ill-intentioned, similar to 'mean-spirited'.

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promedio🔊B2

Use 'promedio' when referring to a statistical average or mean value, like the average age or score.

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media🔊B1

Use 'media' as a synonym for 'promedio' when referring to a statistical average or mean.

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mendigo🔊B2

Use 'mendigo' informally to describe someone's bad or selfish behavior, essentially meaning 'stingy' or 'unhelpful' in that specific context.

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vil🔊B2

Use 'vil' to describe an action or behavior that is extremely cruel, contemptible, or base.

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English → Spanish

malo

MAH-loh'malo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'malo' when describing someone as fundamentally unkind, wicked, or bad in character, often with a strong negative connotation.
A bright red apple that is visibly covered in green and white mold, indicating it is spoiled.

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.

malvada

mal-VAH-dahmalˈbaða

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'malvada' for a less intense, often informal description of someone being wicked or ill-intentioned, similar to 'mean-spirited'.
A woman with a sharp, malevolent smile, wearing a dark cloak and holding a single, poison-green apple.

Examples

La madrastra era muy malvada con Cenicienta.

The stepmother was very wicked toward Cinderella.

Tenía una sonrisa malvada cuando nos dio la noticia.

She had an evil smile when she gave us the news.

Esa fue una decisión malvada que afectó a mucha gente.

That was a wicked decision that affected many people.

Gender Agreement (Feminine)

Since 'malvada' ends in '-a', it is used to describe feminine nouns (like 'mujer' or 'bruja'). If you were describing a male person or a masculine thing, you would use 'malvado'.

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “El bruja es malvada.”

Correction: La bruja es malvada. (The gender of the person/thing must match the ending of the adjective.)

promedio

proh-MEH-deeohpɾoˈmeðjo

nounB2general
Use 'promedio' when referring to a statistical average or mean value, like the average age or score.
A simple wooden balance beam resting perfectly level on a central fulcrum, with three colorful, identical geometric shapes placed symmetrically on the beam, illustrating mathematical balance.

Examples

¿Cuál es el promedio de edad de los participantes?

What is the average age of the participants?

Mi meta es subir mi promedio a nueve puntos este semestre.

My goal is to raise my average (grade) to nine points this semester.

Necesitamos calcular el promedio de ventas del último trimestre.

We need to calculate the sales average for the last quarter.

Always Masculine

Even if you are averaging things that are feminine (like 'notas' or 'ventas'), 'promedio' itself is always a masculine noun: 'el promedio'.

media

MEH-dyahˈme.ðja

nounB1general
Use 'media' as a synonym for 'promedio' when referring to a statistical average or mean.
Three solid, colorful geometric blocks of different heights (small, medium, large), with the medium-sized block highlighted.

Examples

La media de edad en la oficina es de 35 años.

The average age in the office is 35 years.

Para calcular la media, suma los valores y divide por el número de valores.

To calculate the mean, add the values and divide by the number of values.

Su nota está por encima de la media de la clase.

His grade is above the class average.

Confusing with 'Promedio'

Mistake: “No real mistake, but 'promedio' is often more common in everyday talk about grades or general averages. 'Media' can sound slightly more technical or mathematical.”

Correction: Both 'La media de la clase es 8' and 'El promedio de la clase es 8' are correct. 'Promedio' is very common in Latin America for school grades.

mendigo

men-DEE-gomenˈdi.ɣo

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'mendigo' informally to describe someone's bad or selfish behavior, essentially meaning 'stingy' or 'unhelpful' in that specific context.
A character with a grumpy face taking a toy away from a sad child.

Examples

¡No seas mendigo y ayúdame!

Don't be mean and help me!

Ese mendigo perro me robó el zapato.

That wretched dog stole my shoe.

Hace un mendigo calor hoy.

It is miserably hot today.

Adjective placement

When used for emphasis (like 'wretched dog'), this word often comes before the noun instead of after it.

Regional Confusion

Mistake: “Using this adjective in Spain to mean 'mean'.”

Correction: In Spain, this almost always just means 'beggar'. Use 'malo' or 'tacaño' in Spain to avoid confusion.

vil

beelbil

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'vil' to describe an action or behavior that is extremely cruel, contemptible, or base.
A shadowy figure in a dark cloak stealing a small loaf of bread from a hungry child's basket.

Examples

Fue un acto vil que nadie pudo perdonar.

It was a vile act that no one could forgive.

El villano tenía un plan vil para engañar a todo el pueblo.

The villain had a despicable plan to trick the whole town.

No seas tan vil de traicionar a tus propios amigos.

Don't be so mean as to betray your own friends.

One Form for All

This adjective is 'neutral' regarding gender. It stays the same whether you are talking about a man ('un hombre vil') or a woman ('una mujer vil').

Placement for Drama

While it usually comes after the person or thing you are describing, putting it before the noun ('un vil engaño') adds a dramatic, poetic emphasis often found in books.

Confusing 'Vile' with 'Gross'

Mistake: “Using 'vil' to describe disgusting food.”

Correction: Use 'asqueroso' for things that are physically gross. 'Vil' is used for bad character or immoral behavior.

Mean vs. Average

Learners often confuse the Spanish words for 'mean' when referring to statistical averages. While both 'promedio' and 'media' mean average, 'promedio' is generally more common in everyday conversation for this meaning.

Related Translations

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