Spanish phrase of the week

Me sabe mal

I feel bad about it

B2, upper intermediateYou can talk with native speakers without much strain on either side, follow most conversations and give your view on a wide range of topics.

How to use it

Me sabe mal is how lots of people in Spain say they feel bad or awkward about something. It’s softer than lo siento, and you’ll hear it a lot in the east of Spain.

It works like gustar: the thing you feel bad about is the subject, and me, te or le shows who feels bad. Me sabe mal for one thing, me saben mal for several.

To tell someone not to worry about it, say no te sepa mal.

Examples

  • Me sabe mal no poder ir a tu cumpleaños.

    I feel bad that I can't come to your birthday.

  • Me supo mal decírselo.

    I felt bad telling her.

  • No te sepa mal, de verdad.

    Don't feel bad, honestly.

Good to know

Literally it means 'it tastes bad to me', and it can mean that too: esta leche sabe mal, this milk tastes off.

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