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"Mala" is a form of "mala", a noun which is often translated as "mailbag". "Estar mal" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be wrong". Learn more about the difference between "estar mal" and "mala" below.
estar mal(
ehs
-
tahr
mahl
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to be wrong
La fecha está mal. Mi cumpleaños es el 15 de mayo.The date is wrong. My birthday is on May 15th.
a. to be sick
La Sra. Martínez no vino hoy a trabajar porque está mal.Ms. Martinez didn't come to work today because she's sick.
b. to be ill
¿Por qué estás tan pálido? ¿Qué te pasa? ¿Estás mal?Why are you so pale? What's the matter? Are you ill?
a. to be sad
Mi hermana está mal porque se peleó con su mejor amiga.My sister is sad because she got into a fight with her best friend.
la mala(
mah
-
lah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. mailbag
No sé cómo el cartero logra cargar esa mala con lo grande que está.I don't know how the mailman manages to carry that mailbag, as big as it is.
a. mail (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El cartero solía entregar la mala extranjera solo dos veces por semana.The mailman used to deliver foreign mail only twice a week.
b. post (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La mayoría de la mala que me llega ahora son catálogos o facturas.Most of the post I receive nowadays is catalogues or bills.
