malo

bad

adjective MAH-loh Rare

Origin: From Latin malus (bad, evil).

Also means

evil

Usage Note

Malo is a literary and somewhat archaic variant of cattivo (bad). In modern Italian it survives mainly in fixed expressions: di mala voglia (reluctantly), mala fede (bad faith), in malo modo (rudely). As a free-standing adjective in conversation, cattivo is strongly preferred. Do not confuse with the adverb male (badly).

Examples

"L'ha trattata in malo modo."

Natural Translation

He treated her badly.

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