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"Mal" is an adjective which is often translated as "bad", and "parecer bien" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to think it's a good idea". Learn more about the difference between "mal" and "parecer 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.
parecer bien(
pah
-
reh
-
sehr
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 think it's a good idea
Ya tienes 16 años, y nos parece bien que empieces a tomar tus propias decisiones.You're 16 already, and we think it's a good idea that you start making your own decisions.
b. to be all right with
Si te parece bien, podemos quedar a las cinco en el café de la plaza.If it's all right with you, we can meet at five at the café in the square.
c. to be OK with
Podemos posponer la reunión hasta que tengamos las cifras. ¿Les parece bien?We can postpone the meeting until we have the figures. Are you OK with that?
d. to be fine by
Papá dice que le parece bien que volvamos a las 12 siempre que nos traiga alguien a casa.Dad says that it's fine by him if we come back at 12 provided someone brings us home.
e. to suit
Diles que, siempre que les parezca bien, podemos ir a buscarlos dentro de media hora.Tell them that, provided it suits them, we can go and pick them up in half an hour.
f. to seem OK to
¿Te parece bien el pretérito perfecto en esta frase?Does the present perfect seem OK to you in this sentence?
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 seem well
Aunque el traductor no cumplió el plazo, la traducción parece bien hecha.Although the translator didn't meet the deadline, the translation seems well done.
