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mau

"mau" means "bad" in Portuguese. It is number 443 on the frequency list, in A2 (adj).

Meaning

bad; evil, wicked; harmful

IPA

/ˈmaw/

Forms in this course

má, más

Level

A2

Practice this word

Updated October 21, 2026

Example sentences

• Nada mau!
  Not bad!
  Tatoeba: sergiomelo / tvindy
• Você é mau.
  You're bad.
  Tatoeba: alexmarcelo / CK
• Não seja mau.
  Don't be evil.
  Tatoeba: alexmarcelo / Spamster

Learned together

In the course, "mau" is in the same group as these words. You master them as a set.

• segundo second
• maior major, greater
• meio half
• rápido fast
• suficiente sufficient
• possível possible
• idiota idiotic
• mil one thousand
• longe far, a long way

← mêsrápido →