Spanish word of the day: Mala pata

What does “mala pata” mean?

(Tener) mala pata (Idiom) — (To have) bad luck. Literally translated as "bad foot", this expression has nothing to do with physical foot problems but instead refers to being unlucky

Example sentences with “mala pata”

• Pensé que hoy no llovería, ¡qué mala pata!

  ☔️ I thought I wouldn’t rain today. I’m so unlucky!

• ¿Perdiste tu monedero de nuevo? Realmente tienes mala pata.
  👛 Did you lose your purse again? You're really unlucky.

• Tenía la mala pata de enamorarme de mujeres que no estaban disponibles.
  💌 It was always my bad luck to fall in love with women who were already taken.

Mala pata is often paired with the verb tener (to have). If you need a refresher on how to conjugate this verb, our conjugation tables can help.

“Mala pata” in context

The idiom is commonly used in colloquial Spanish across different Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Latin America. The origin of this idiom appears to be connected to the superstition of carrying a rabbit's foot for good luck. Since a rabbit's foot is considered a good luck charm, having a "bad foot" would conversely mean having bad luck. This belief has existed for centuries, with the rabbit's foot being carried as an amulet to attract good fortune.

It's worth noting that "malapata" (written as one word) is a different term that refers to a clumsy or graceless person, while "mala pata" (two words) is the idiom referring to bad luck.