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"Caerle bien" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to like", and "mal" is an adjective which is often translated as "bad". Learn more about the difference between "caerle bien" and "mal" below.
caerle bien(
kah
-
ehr
-
leh
byehn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to like
A tu padre no le cae bien tu novio. - Mamá, ¡ni siquiera lo conoce!Your father doesn't like your boyfriend. - Mom, he doesn't even know him!
a. to agree
Mi mujer solo tomará una ensalada, el pollo frito no le cae muy bien.My wife will have just a salad. Fried chicken doesn't agree with her.
b. to go down well
Sé que no querías ofender, pero tu comentario no le cayó bien a Tina.I know you meant no harm, but your comment didn't go down well with Tina.
mal(
mahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. bad
El mal olor, desafortunadamente, venía de la cocina.The bad smell was, unfortunately, coming from the kitchen.
2. (incorrect)
3. (not well)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. evil
No sé si creo en el mal, pero creo que la gente es capaz de cometer acciones malas.I don't know if I believe in evil, but I believe people are capable of committing evil deeds.
8. (sickness)
a. illness
Su mal se mantenía controlado con medicamentos.Her illness was kept under control with medication.
9. (harm)
a. harm
Una falta de oxígeno puede hacerle mal al cerebro.A lack of oxygen can cause harm to the brain.
10. (bad luck)
a. misfortune
Los males que le dio la vida no la desanimaron.The misfortunes life sent her way didn't drag her down.
