Spanish Phrase
Está de muy mal humor.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe someone who is currently experiencing a high level of irritability or grumpiness. It utilizes the verb 'estar' to indicate that this is a temporary emotional state rather than a permanent personality trait.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to warn someone that another person is angry or upset at the moment. It is appropriate for both casual conversations with friends and professional settings when discussing a colleague's current temperament.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estádemuymalhumor
Estar (está)
The verb 'estar' is used here because moods are considered temporary conditions or states of being.
De mal humor
This is a fixed prepositional phrase where 'de' is used to connect the state of mind to the person.
Muy
This adverb intensifies the adjective 'mal' to show that the mood is particularly negative.
🗨In Conversation
¿Por qué Juan no quiso venir a cenar?
Why didn't Juan want to come to dinner?
No le hagas caso, está de muy mal humor hoy.
Don't mind him, he is in a very bad mood today.
✕Common Mistakes
Es de muy mal humor.
In Spanish, moods are temporary states and require the verb 'estar' instead of 'ser'.
Está en muy mal humor.
While 'in' is used in English, Spanish uses the preposition 'de' to describe being in a certain mood.
↔Alternatives
Está de mala uva.
He/She is in a foul mood (idiomatic).
Tiene mal genio.
He/She has a bad temper.
No está para bromas.
He/She is in no mood for jokes.
Cultural Tip
In Spain, you might hear the idiom 'estar de mala leche' or 'estar de mala uva' to express the same sentiment more colloquially. In many Latin American countries, it is also common to say 'anda de malas' to describe someone who is having a bad day or is in a foul mood.