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mali

malî with stress marks

wrong; incorrect

adjective noun ma-LI Native origin Common
Communication Responses
Illustration of "mali" (wrong; incorrect)

Usage Note

Mali is the standard word for anything 'wrong' or 'incorrect,' from a factual mistake to a wrong turn. While it is direct, speakers often add 'ata' (maybe) or 'po' to sound more polite when correcting someone.

Examples

Beginner

" Mali ang sagot ko. "

Natural Translation

My answer is wrong.

Literal Translation

Wrong the answer my.

Intermediate

" Mali ang iyong ginawa. "

Natural Translation

What you did is wrong.

Literal Translation

Wrong the your done.

Advanced

" Mali ata ang daan na pinili natin, kasi parang ang tagal na nating naglalakad pero wala pa rin tayo sa tindahan. "

Natural Translation

I think the road we chose is wrong, because it feels like we've been walking forever but we're still not at the store.

Literal Translation

Wrong maybe the road that chose we, because seems the long-time already we walking but none still we at store.

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How Tagalog words work

Derived Words

kamalian DERIVED

mistake or error

pagkakamali DERIVED

act of making a mistake

mali-mali DERIVED

prone to making mistakes

Actor Focus Verbs

magkamali AF VERB

to make a mistake

Object Focus Verbs

maliin OF VERB

to misinterpret

malian OF VERB

to mark as wrong

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