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"Mal" is an adjective which is often translated as "bad", and "pasarlo bien" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to have a good time". Learn more about the difference between "mal" and "pasarlo bien" below.
mal(
mahl
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. bad
El mal olor, desafortunadamente, venía de la cocina.The bad smell was, unfortunately, coming from the kitchen.
a. wrong
Eso está mal. La respuesta no es 17, es 27.That’s wrong. The answer’s not 17, it’s 27.
a. ill
Empezó a sentirse mal después de nadar en el río Hudson.He began to feel ill after swimming in the Hudson River.
b. sick
Estás mal porque comiste muchos dulces.You feel sick because you ate a lot of candy.
a. sad
Mi hermana estaba muy mal cuando se murió su perro.My sister was really sad when her dog died.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. badly
El tiro se hizo tan mal que casi era de risa.The shot was so badly made it was almost laughable.
a. incorrectly
Colocaron mal las cortinas.They put the curtains up incorrectly.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
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.
a. illness
Su mal se mantenía controlado con medicamentos.Her illness was kept under control with medication.
a. harm
Una falta de oxígeno puede hacerle mal al cerebro.A lack of oxygen can cause harm to the brain.
a. misfortune
Los males que le dio la vida no la desanimaron.The misfortunes life sent her way didn't drag her down.
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pasarlo bien(
pah
-
sahr
-
loh
 
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.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to have a good time
Vamos a pasarlo bien este fin de semana en Ibiza.We're going to have a good time this weekend in Ibiza.
b. to have fun
¿Lo pasaste bien hoy con tus amigos?Did you have fun today with your friends?
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