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"Malo" is an adjective which is often translated as "bad", and "tercero" is an adjective which is often translated as "third". Learn more about the difference between "malo" and "tercero" below.
malo, el malo, la mala(
mah
-
loh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. bad
Si el vino que usas es malo, la salsa saldrá ácida.If the wine you use is bad, the sauce will turn out acidic.
b. poor
Pedro tiene tan mala letra que los profesores nunca entienden lo que escribe.Pedro has such poor handwriting that teachers can never make out what he writes.
a. bad
Aléjate de él. Es un hombre malo.Stay away from him. He's a bad man.
b. evil
Algunas personas son malas por naturaleza.Some people are naturally evil.
a. sick
Está malo desde anoche. Vamos a llamar al médico.He's been sick since last night. We're going to call the doctor.
b. ill
Caí mala el lunes y estuve en cama toda la semana.I fell ill on Monday and was in bed all week.
a. bad
Soy muy mala para cocinar.I'm really bad at cooking.
a. bad
Beber en exceso es malo para la salud.Drinking too much is bad for your health.
a. bad
Hoy el clima está muy malo.The weather is very bad today.
a. naughty
Era un cachorro tan malo que tuvimos que regalarlo.He was such a naughty puppy that we had to give him away.
a. mean
No seas tan malo con tu hermana. Déjala jugar contigo.Don't be so mean to your sister. Let her play with you.
a. bad
Esta carne ya está mala.This meat has gone bad.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. villain
Ella es la mala de la película.She's the movie's villain.
b. baddy
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
La protagonista se enamora de uno de los malos.The protagonist falls in love with one of the baddies.
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tercero(
tehr
-
seh
-
roh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. third
Por tercera vez, ¿puedes bajar el volumen de la música?For the third time, can you turn the music down?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. third
Soy la tercera en fila para pagar.I'm third in line to pay.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. third party
Publica un aviso para asegurarnos de que no afectemos a ningún tercero con este juicio.Publish a notice to make sure we don't affect any third party with this suit.
a. mediator
El contrato dicta que se solicite un tercero para resolver cualquier conflicto.The contract dictates that a mediator be requested to resolve any potential dispute.
b. arbitrator
El sindicato y la gerencia se trajeron un tercero para llegar a un acuerdo.The union and management brought in an arbitrator in order to reach an agreement.
a. go-between
Él usaba el limpiabotas como tercero para llevar notas a su amante.He used the shoeshine as a go-between to take notes to his lover.
b. matchmaker
Le encanta jugar el papel de tercero con sus amigos.He loves playing the role of matchmaker with his friends.
c. procurer (illicit activity)
Cuando Hugh se encuentra en Manchester, visita a su tercero favorito.Whenever Hugh is in Manchester, he visits his favorite procurer.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. third
Tercero, debes llegar a tiempo.Third, you must arrive on time.
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