Inklingo

How to Say "temper" in Spanish

English → Spanish

leche

LEH-cheh/ˈletʃe/

nounB1informal
Use 'mala leche' to describe someone's bad mood, ill temper, or mean-spirited nature, often in an informal context.
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.

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.)

hígado

nounB2idiomatic
Use 'tener hígado' in specific idiomatic phrases to mean having courage, nerve, or guts to do something challenging, not to describe a general bad mood.

Examples

Hay que tener mucho hígado para enfrentarse a esa situación.

You have to have a lot of guts to face that situation.

Confusing 'leche' with 'hígado'

Learners often confuse 'mala leche' and 'tener hígado'. Remember that 'mala leche' refers to a person's negative disposition or temper, while 'tener hígado' means to have courage or nerve, and is not used to describe mood.

Related Translations

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