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"Mal genio"- Please translate for me

Can someone please tell me how to use this word? I think it means evil spirit as in a mean person, generally their normal dispostion. A friend thinks it means someone with a bad disposition when not feeling well, a temporary attitude. I think it is an insult, she doesn't think so.I am American with poor spanish, she is Colombian with poor english (from Cali) What a mess! We have been having this discussion for 3 months! Time to get the opinion of experts. We have agreed to abide by the ruling of PBH!
Maureen

By 2retirensa on Jun 3, 2005, 02:37 in Friendly Talkzone.

ShazCas says on Jun 3, 2005, 04:28:

Bad temper It simply means bad temper. estar de malgenio is to be in a bad mood, which is temporary. If a person is generally a bad-tempered one, you could say ser malgeniado (a) which is more permanent (hence estar used in the first and ser in the second). Hope this helps.

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2retirensa says on Jun 3, 2005, 05:55:

So... Maybe we are both right (makes me happier than being wrong). I'll wait and see if anyone else cares to voice on opinion.
thanks,
Maureen

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Miguel says on Jun 3, 2005, 06:23:

Yes Bad temper.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 3, 2005, 06:37:

Both Shazcas is absolutely right. Bad mood (temporary) or grouchy, nasty.... (permanent) depending on which verb is used.

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2retirensa says on Jun 3, 2005, 06:42:

Its a draw!! Since we never discussed, verbs, I guess we're both right!! Thanks. I'll have to listen to verbs more closely.
Maureen

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dannyherm says on Jun 3, 2005, 07:38:

P.O'd It can also mean Pissed-off in the extreme case. But nothing really vulgar. It took me a while to understand as well. I was taking it as being mean-spirited.

DH

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 3, 2005, 08:33:

Here is how my wife uses these terms. She uses "bravo" or "enojado" to mean a temporary state of being angry, pissed-off or upset. She uses "mal genio" to refer to someone's personality as being that of a bad-natured person. If you have a "mal genio" it's not a temporary state - you're just someone who is not pleasant to be with. Of course someone can also have a "buen genio" - this is what she says I have.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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2retirensa says on Jun 3, 2005, 13:21:

UC We wouldn't expect Mrs. UC to say anything else!!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 3, 2005, 15:14:

mal genio/malgeniado I'd have to agree with those who who think it's a personality trait. When I'm in a bad mood in Colombia I'd say that I'm disgustada, enojada, contrariada. Tengo mal genio would mean that I have a permanent disposition to get angry easily, have a short fuse, be irritable.
Cheers,
Desi
(casi siempre de buen genio, excepto cuando estoy disgustada/contrariada/irritada/enojada)

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Rubiazo says on Jun 4, 2005, 01:02:

I hear a lot 'estoy de mal genio' meaning temporary. For something permanent you would have to use 'ser' instead of 'estar'

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 4, 2005, 02:15:

estoy de mal genio that's what the people that have a short temper say, meaning it's temporary. You wish.

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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