The phrase “no good” is commonly used in English to express disapproval, dissatisfaction, or the idea that something is not acceptable or of poor quality. In Spanish, there are several ways to convey this idea, depending on the context and what exactly you’re referring to. Understanding the nuances of these expressions will help you communicate more effectively when you’re trying to say “no good” in Spanish.
Here are some common ways to say “no good” in Spanish:
1. No está bien
The most straightforward translation for “no good” in Spanish is “no está bien” (pronounced “noh es-tah byen”), which means “it’s not good” or “it’s not okay.” This phrase can be used in a variety of situations, whether you’re referring to a person’s behavior, a situation, or even the condition of something. It expresses that something is not right or acceptable.
- Example: El resultado no está bien. (The result is not good.)
2. Está mal
Another common way to say “no good” is “está mal” (pronounced “es-tah mahl”), which means “it’s bad” or “it’s wrong.” This phrase can be used when something is incorrect, undesirable, or of poor quality.
- Example: El clima está mal hoy. (The weather is bad today.)
3. Es malo/a
The phrase “es malo” (for masculine objects or ideas) or “es mala” (for feminine ones) literally means “it is bad” or “it is evil,” depending on the context. This phrase can be used when referring to something that is of poor quality, harmful, or simply not good.
- Example: Este libro es malo. (This book is bad.)
4. No sirve
The phrase “no sirve” (pronounced “noh seer-veh”) means “it doesn’t work” or “it’s no good” when referring to an object or something that’s not functioning as expected. It’s often used to describe something that is broken, useless, or defective.
- Example: Mi teléfono no sirve. (My phone doesn’t work.)
5. No es bueno/a
This phrase directly translates to “it’s not good” and can be used in many situations. It’s a simple and clear way to express that something isn’t of good quality, not appropriate, or not favorable.
- Example: La comida no es buena. (The food is not good.)
6. Es pésimo/a
For something that is extremely bad or awful, you can use the word “pésimo” (pronounced “peh-see-moh”) or “pésima” (for feminine nouns). This is a stronger expression of “no good,” used when something is of very poor quality or disappointing.
- Example: La película fue pésima. (The movie was terrible.)
7. No vale
In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase “no vale” (pronounced “noh vah-leh”) is used to mean “it’s no good” or “it’s not worth it.” It is commonly used when something or someone is not worth the time, effort, or money.
- Example: Este juego no vale la pena. (This game is not worth it.)
8. No es aceptable
If you’re trying to express that something is not acceptable, you can say “no es aceptable” (pronounced “noh es ah-sep-tah-bleh”). This is a more formal way to convey disapproval and indicate that something doesn’t meet standards.
- Example: Su comportamiento no es aceptable. (His behavior is not acceptable.)
9. Está feo/a
Another way to say “no good” when referring to something’s appearance is “está feo” (pronounced “es-tah feh-oh”), which translates to “it’s ugly” or “it’s not good-looking.” This phrase is typically used when commenting on someone’s looks, an object, or a place that isn’t aesthetically pleasing.
- Example: Este cuadro está feo. (This painting is ugly.)