Dictionary
English - Spanish

Bad

bæd
Extremely common
300 - 400
300 - 400
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

malo/a, malo/a (in a moral sense), roto/a, difícil

Bad meanings in Spanish

malo/a

Example:
He is a bad person.
Él es una mala persona.
The weather is bad today.
El clima está malo hoy.
Usage: informalContext: General use to describe something negative or of poor quality.
Note: This is the most common translation for 'bad' in a general sense.

malo/a (in a moral sense)

Example:
That was a bad thing to do.
Eso fue una cosa mala de hacer.
Cheating is a bad behavior.
Engañar es un comportamiento malo.
Usage: formalContext: Used to describe morally wrong or unethical actions.
Note: This translation emphasizes the moral aspect of 'bad.'

roto/a

Example:
The vase is bad, it's broken.
El jarrón está malo, está roto.
This milk smells bad, it's gone off.
Esta leche huele mal, está mala.
Usage: informalContext: Referring to something that is damaged or spoiled.
Note: Used for objects that are in a state of disrepair or decay.

difícil

Example:
This math problem is really bad.
Este problema de matemáticas está muy difícil.
Learning a new language can be bad at first.
Aprender un nuevo idioma puede ser difícil al principio.
Usage: informalContext: Used to express difficulty or challenge.
Note: In this context, 'bad' can be synonymous with 'difficult.'

Bad's synonyms

poor

When something is poor, it is of low quality or not very good.
Example: The movie received poor reviews from critics.
Note: Poor often implies a lack of quality or standard, whereas bad can be more general in its negative connotation.

awful

Awful means extremely bad or unpleasant.
Example: The food at that restaurant was awful.
Note: Awful is stronger than bad and conveys a sense of extreme negativity.

terrible

Terrible means very bad or of low quality.
Example: The weather was terrible during our vacation.
Note: Terrible is similar to awful but can also imply causing fear or dread.

dreadful

Dreadful means causing great suffering, fear, or unhappiness.
Example: The traffic was dreadful this morning.
Note: Dreadful emphasizes the negative impact or feeling caused by something, more so than just being bad.

subpar

Subpar means below an expected or usual standard.
Example: The service at the restaurant was subpar compared to what we expected.
Note: Subpar specifically indicates falling below a certain standard or expectation.

Bad expressions, common phrases

Bite the bullet

To force oneself to endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation.
Example: I have to bite the bullet and tell my boss about the mistake I made.
Note: The phrase 'bite the bullet' implies facing a difficult situation head-on, whereas 'bad' simply means something of poor quality or negative.

Hit rock bottom

To reach the lowest point in one's life or situation.
Example: After losing his job and his home, he felt like he had hit rock bottom.
Note: While 'bad' is a general term for something negative, 'hit rock bottom' specifically refers to reaching the lowest possible point.

Go from bad to worse

To deteriorate or become even more unfavorable.
Example: First, I lost my keys, and then it started raining - it's all going from bad to worse!
Note: This phrase emphasizes a worsening situation, whereas 'bad' only indicates something negative.

Bad blood

A feeling of longstanding animosity or resentment.
Example: There has been bad blood between the two families for generations.
Note: Unlike 'bad', 'bad blood' describes a negative relationship or tension between people or groups.

A bad apple

A person who is dishonest or corrupt within a group.
Example: She's a bad apple in an otherwise great team.
Note: While 'bad' is a general term, 'a bad apple' specifically refers to a negative individual in a group.

In a bad mood

Feeling irritable or unhappy.
Example: Don't talk to him right now, he's in a bad mood.
Note: This phrase describes a temporary state of being negative or irritable, unlike 'bad' which is a more general term.

Bad hair day

A day when everything seems to go wrong or nothing is working out as planned.
Example: I'm having a bad hair day, nothing seems to be going right.
Note: Unlike 'bad', 'bad hair day' refers to a day where things are not going well specifically.

Bad to the bone

Inherently wicked or evil.
Example: He may seem nice, but deep down, he's bad to the bone.
Note: This phrase goes beyond just being 'bad' and describes someone as fundamentally evil or immoral.

Bad everyday (slang) expressions

Sick

In slang, 'sick' is used to describe something cool, impressive, or awesome.
Example: That car is sick!
Note: While 'bad' can have a negative connotation, 'sick' is used in a positive way to express admiration or approval.

Wicked

'Wicked' is used in slang to mean excellent, great, or cool.
Example: That concert was wicked!
Note: 'Wicked' is more emphatic and informal compared to the word 'bad', conveying a stronger sense of excitement or intensity.

Rad

'Rad' is short for 'radical' and is used to mean fantastic, excellent, or impressive.
Example: She has a rad sense of style.
Note: It is a more casual and trendy alternative to 'bad', often used in a positive context to describe something remarkable or exciting.

Dope

In modern slang, 'dope' means excellent, cool, or impressive.
Example: That new song is dope!
Note: 'Dope' is used informally to describe something of high quality or admiration, similar to 'bad', but with a more current and urban twist.

Lit

'Lit' is used to describe something exciting, fun, or amazing.
Example: The party was so lit last night!
Note: While 'bad' can have a negative sense, 'lit' is exclusively used in a positive context to highlight something that is vibrant, lively, or exceptional.

Fierce

In slang, 'fierce' is used to describe something powerful, bold, or impressive.
Example: Her performance on stage was fierce!
Note: Compared to 'bad', 'fierce' connotes a sense of strength, confidence, and fierceness, often used to praise someone or something with great energy or style.

Bad - Examples

Bad weather ruined our picnic.
El mal tiempo arruinó nuestro picnic.
He has a bad reputation in town.
Él tiene una mala reputación en el pueblo.
The movie was so bad that we left halfway through.
La película fue tan mala que nos fuimos a la mitad.

Bad grammar

Bad - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: bad
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): worse
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): worst
Adjective (Adjective): bad
Adverb, comparative (Adverb, comparative): worse
Adverb, superlative (Adverb, superlative): worst
Adverb (Adverb): bad
Syllables, Separation and Stress
bad Contains 1 syllables: bad
Phonetic transcription: ˈbad
bad , ˈbad (The red syllable is stressed)

Bad - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
bad: 300 - 400 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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