mauvais

/mɔ.vɛ/
adjectiveBeginner
general

Not good in quality or character; defective, faulty, or unsatisfactory.

Il a une mauvaise habitude.

He has a bad habit.

La mauvaise nouvelle est arrivée.

The bad news has arrived.

💡

Can describe people, things, or situations.

general

Unhealthy or harmful.

Manger trop de sucre est mauvais pour la santé.

Eating too much sugar is bad for your health.

general

Unfavorable or disadvantageous.

C'est une mauvaise idée.

That's a bad idea.

Collocations

mauvaise humeurbad moodmauvaise nouvellebad newsmauvaise habitudebad habit

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

mettre en mauvaise posturephrase
to put someone in a difficult position
avoir mauvaise minephrase
to look unwell

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Mauvais' is a versatile adjective that can describe people, things, or situations. It is often used with 'très' for emphasis.

Gold Rule

Gender Agreement

'Mauvais' must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., 'mauvaise idée', 'mauvaises habitudes').

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'malvais', from Latin 'malus' (bad).

📝Usage Notes

Can be used to describe people, things, or situations. Often used with 'très' for emphasis (e.g., 'très mauvais').

Word Breakdown

mal
bad
root
+
-vais
adjective suffix
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais