difference between 'mal' and 'feo' when discussing food

Question

Rosetta stone uses food with the following phrases:

1) Esto huele mal - This smells bad 2) Esto está feo - This is bad or this is ugly? ugly doesn't seem right for food

Both pics in rosetta stone show the person's face making a frown

I'm confused!

Answer 1

I would say that mal and feo can be used interchangeably in this context. I´ve heard them used with no apparent distinction. Feo does not necessarily refer only to an ugly appearance. It can also mean bad as in nasty. See dictionary.

Welcome to the forum

Correct. - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 2

As far as food is concerned:

I use bad as mala, malo, mal, poor quality poor service bad odor,bad flavor. Feo on the other hand is ugly, looks bad, may be very good but does not look appealing.

Limburger cheese smells horrible,but the flavor is good.

thanks for the explanation..that's helpful - a14e76f065, Apr 4, 2011

Answer 3

it's good to know that they may be teaching multiples ways to describe the situation.

mucho gracias, chad