French word

mal

Pronunciation

IPA/mal/

Meaning

  • adverbpoorly

Example

Je me sens mal.

I feel unwell.

Illustration for mal (poorly)

More examples

Ça va mal aujourd'hui.

Things aren't well today.

Core concept

A body, mind, or action operating below a sound or satisfactory standard.

Common phrases

  • ça va mal

    be unwell

  • se porter mal

    be in poor health

Similar words

bien: In a physically or emotionally comfortable and healthy state.
gravement: In a severe way, causing or showing major effects or symptoms.

Definition in French

Indique un mauvais état physique ou moral, ou la manière déficiente dont quelque chose est fait.

Word origin

Mal descends from Latin male, the adverb formed from malus, through Old French.

Usage tips

  • Pain is expressed with avoir mal à plus a body part, as in avoir mal à la tête.

Other meanings

  • badlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word