mal

I.

n. m.

1. Avoir (also: se donner) un mal de chien: To have the devil of a job. Elle se donne un mal de chien pour élever ses enfants: She sweats her guts out to bring up her kids.

2. Avoir mal aux cheveux'. To 'have a hangover', to feel the after-effects of a drinking bout.

3. Etre guéri du mal de dents (iron.): To be 'out of one's misery', to be dead.

4. En avoir mal au ventre: To feel sick at the thought of something.

5. Un pantalon à la mal au ventre: Old-fashioned trousers with frontal pockets.

II.

adv.

1. La foutre mai. To 'look bad', to give a bad impression. Vraiment, tu la fous mal toujours en pullover: You really let the side down, always wearing baggy pullovers.

2. Ça va mal, non?! (iron.): Are you alright?! — You must be joking!

3. Tu vas mal, toi! You're going it a bit strong! —You're exaggerating!

4. Tu me fais mal, toi! You give me the pip! — You make me sick!

5. Se trouver mal sur quelque chose (joc.): To 'nick', to 'pinch', to steal something.