Estoy mal

Question

so in the lesson it says that estoy mal is I don't feel well but in translation it says I am bad ,,,,,so which is it thanks

Welcome to the forum, it is mandatory here to use correct spelling , thanks. - 00494d19, May 19, 2010

Answer 1

It means "I don't feel so well", just like "Estoy más o menos" does not literally mean "I am more or less."... It means "I am/feel so-so"

ser mal means to be a bad person - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, May 19, 2010

ser malo not ser mal. - viajero, May 19, 2010

thank you - carolt, May 19, 2010

Please permit me to suggest a correction: " I don't feel very well " is better (written) English than I don't feel so well - FELIZ77, May 19, 2010

It has become more common to say "I don't feel good /so good /so well" which is acceptable spoken English in some parts of England but is not good written English - FELIZ77, May 19, 2010

Thanks for the correction Viajero... I forgot the "o" - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, May 19, 2010

Thanks for the correction Viajero... I forgot the "o" - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, May 19, 2010

Answer 2

Perhaps its the Michael Jackson quote, "I'm Bad!"

Ha - TheSilentHero, May 19, 2010

Answer 3

I am sick. I am ill. I don't feel well. Nothing to do with being a bad person as others have implied.

Answer 4

Looks like you don't completely understand the difference between 'ser' and 'estar'. Check this link out and scroll down to the bottom (to the chart). The entire page helps, but the chart shows the difference between ser algo (to be something) and estar algo (to be something).

I can't see that carol has a problem with "ser" and "estar" although some of the answerers apparently do. - geofc, May 19, 2010

Answer 5

Estoy mal means I don't feel well or I feel bad. The automatic translator just looks at the words seperately, which is why it gave you I am bad.

thank you - carolt, May 19, 2010

Answer 6

If you're talking about school work or learning on SpanishDict, you could perfectly well begin a sentence with "estoy mal" at doing whatsoever.

If you're gossiping you could begin a sentence with "estoy mal" and continue about your nasty suspicions about whosoever.

The problem is that is bad usage.

You could start a sentece with, Estoy mal entendido but to say, Estoy mal carpintero ( I am a bad carpenter) is not correct. Estoy mal cortando madera ( I am bad at cutting wood) is not correct. Estoy malo actor ( 'am a bad actor is not correct).

About gossip, I did not understand how you can start telling a tall story by saying, estoy mal. Please explain-thank you.

Answer 7

It's all a matter of context. If you're talking about health then it's obvious that "estoy mal" means you're not well.

If you're talking about school work or learning on SpanishDict, you could perfectly well begin a sentence with "estoy mal" at doing whatsoever.

If you're gossiping you could begin a sentence with "estoy mal" and continue about your nasty suspicions about whosoever.

In your case, you are refering to a quite specific context, namely a language lesson about how to describe states of health. Where's the problem?

Answer 8

Estoy mal means = I am not well/ Iam sick/ I don't feel well

The verb Estar is used to indicate temporary conditions/situations

Por ejemplo: Juan "¿Como estás,Pedro? " Pedro: "Estoy malo" (Estar)

The verb Ser is used to indicate permanent conditions/states of being

por ejemplo: el es malo = he is evil/bad (Ser)