Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Worse in Spanish
Peor · adjective · peh-OHR
The Spanish word for worse is 'peor,' the comparative form of 'malo' (bad). Unlike English, Spanish does not add '-er' or use 'more' — 'peor' is an irregular comparative that stands on its own.
Pronounce 'peor' as peh-OHR, with two syllables. The stress falls on the final syllable.
El tráfico hoy es peor que ayer.
The traffic today is worse than yesterday.
How Native Speakers Use Peor
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Comparing situations
La situación está peor de lo que pensábamos.
The situation is worse than we thought.
Assessing a worsening problem.
Health update
Me siento peor que ayer.
I feel worse than yesterday.
Describing declining health.
Superlative
Esta es la peor película que he visto.
This is the worst movie I've seen.
Using 'peor' as a superlative.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Peor
Saying 'más malo' instead of 'peor'
Incorrect: Este restaurante es más malo que el otro.
Correct: Este restaurante es peor que el otro.
'Peor' is the correct irregular comparative of 'malo.' While 'más malo' is occasionally heard colloquially, it is not standard.
Trying to make 'peor' agree in gender
Incorrect: La peora nota del examen.
Correct: La peor nota del examen.
'Peor' is invariable — it does not change for gender or number. It stays 'peor' whether modifying masculine or feminine nouns.
Lock in worse Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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See Peor used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using peor in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El tráfico hoy es peor que ayer. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About worse in Spanish
- Does 'peor' change for masculine and feminine?
- The word 'peor' is invariable — it keeps the same form regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies, so 'el peor día' and 'la peor noche' both use 'peor' unchanged.
- How do you say 'the worst' in Spanish?
- Adding the definite article creates the superlative: 'el peor' (masculine) or 'la peor' (feminine), as in 'el peor error de mi vida' (the worst mistake of my life).
- Can 'peor' be used as an adverb?
- The word 'peor' also functions as an adverb meaning 'worse,' as in 'canta peor que yo' (she sings worse than I do) — no additional words are needed.