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"Mal" is an adjective which is often translated as "bad", and "ponerse bien" is a pronominal verb phrase which is often translated as "to get better". Learn more about the difference between "mal" and "ponerse 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.
ponerse bien(
poh
-
nehr
-
seh
byehn
)A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
a. to get better
Yo me ocupo de todo. Tú solo preocúpate de descansar y ponerte bien cuanto antes.I'll take care of everything. All you have to worry about is resting and getting better as soon as possible.
a. to get covered in
Había llovido y los niños se pusieron bien de barro jugando en el parque.It had been raining and the children got covered in mud playing in the park.
b. to eat one's fill of (food)
Ese día recuerdo que nos pusimos bien de marisco, y baratísimo además.I remember that day we ate our fill of seafood, and very cheaply as well.
3. (to become)
a. to get quite
Ana decía que lo suyo era genética, pero se puso bien gorda en cuanto dejó de hacer ejercicio.Ana used to say her looks were from genetics, but she got quite fat the moment she stopped exercising.
b. to make oneself look really
Para la boda tienes que ponerte bien guapa. No todos los días se te casa un hijo.You'll have to make yourself look really nice for the wedding. It's not every day your son gets married.
a. to sit well (sitting)
Cuando voy al cine, me gusta ponerme bien atrás.When I go to the cinema, I like to sit well back.
b. to stand well (standing)
En el concierto, nos pusimos bien delante, y no paramos de bailar en todo el rato.At the concert, we stood well forward, and wouldn't stop dancing all the while.
poner bien
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 put in the right place
Pon los cubiertos bien. El tenedor va a la izquierda y el cuchillo a la derecha.Put the silver in the right place. The fork goes on the left and the knife goes on the right.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ese cuadro está torcido. Tienes que ponerlo bien.That painting is not straight. You have to straighten it.
Tienes que poner bien la tarjeta SIM. Si no, el celular no funciona.You have to put the SIM card in right. Otherwise, the cellphone won't work.
6. (to commend)
a. to praise
Los críticos pusieron bien la exposición de Belén, pero vendió pocas esculturas.The critics praised Belen's exhibition, but she didn't sell many sculptures.
b. to speak highly of
Domínguez te puso bien. - Normal. Es un adulador profesional.Dominguez spoke highly of you. - You bet. He's a professional flatterer.
c. to have nice things to say about
Tu compañera de apartamento te puso muy bien. Yo diría que le gustas.Your roommate had very nice things to say about you. I think she likes you.
