"me sale mal"

Question

I hear this often in the context of "feeling bad" about something.

For example:

I want to go home to see Pablo, because he's been home all day alone, and I feel bad. Quiero ir a casa para ver a Pablo, porque ha estado en casa todo el día solo y me sale mal.

However, I have heard that "sale mal" normally means "it doesn´t work out" or "it turns out poorly."

Am I hearing people correctly when they say this? Are they saying "sale mal?"

If they are, does it mean that that this phrase has another meaning in that context, beyond "turning out poorly"?

Can you also say "me siento mal" in the same context? Or does that mean the person feels sick or something?

Answer 1

Use better "me siento mal". "Sale mal" is used only for activities or works that were done in the bad way.

Spaniards use too the form "me sabe mal" when they do something that make them feel bad. The sound it's similar to "me sale mal". Perhaps you have heard this.

That is it! They must be saying "me sabe mal." I am in Spain, so I´ll start using that form. - missy8888, Mar 12, 2012

I use that form in the same way! :-) - SilviaC, Mar 12, 2012