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"Mal" is an adjective which is often translated as "bad", and "comer bien" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to eat well". Learn more about the difference between "mal" and "comer bien" below.
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.
comer bien(
koh
-
mehr
byehn
)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 eat well
Mi nieto está muy delgado, aunque come bien.My grandson is very thin, although he eats well.
a. to eat well
El médico me dijo que tenía que adelgazar y me preguntó si como bien y si hago suficiente ejercicio.The doctor told me I had to lose weight and asked whether I eat well and exercise enough.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
En ese restaurante chino se come muy bien, y no es nada caro.The food is very good in that Chinese restaurant, and it isn't expensive at all.
Siempre que hemos ido a Galicia, hemos comido muy bien.Whenever we've been to Galicia, the food was really good.
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 eating
Mis hijos comen bien la fruta, pero no las verduras.My children like eating fruit, but not vegetables.
