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mali-mali

prone to making mistakes

adjective ma-li-ma-LI DERIVED Rare
Illustration of the root word "mali" (wrong; incorrect)
Illustration from root: mali

From root: mali

Usage Note

Mali-mali describes a person who is habitually confused or forgetful. It is frequently used to characterize the erratic behavior or senility sometimes seen in the elderly.

Examples

Beginner

" Mali-mali na ang lolo ko. "

Natural Translation

My grandfather makes a lot of mistakes now.

Literal Translation

Prone-to-mistakes already the grandfather my.

Intermediate

" Huwag kang maging mali-mali sa pagsusulat. "

Natural Translation

Don't be prone to mistakes in writing.

Literal Translation

Do not you be prone to mistakes in writing.

Advanced

" Mula nang tumanda siya, mali-mali na ang kanyang pag-alala kaya lagi na naming inuulit ang mga importanteng paalala. "

Natural Translation

Since he grew old, his memory has become unreliable, so we always have to repeat the important reminders.

Literal Translation

Since when grew-old he, prone-to-mistakes already the his remembering so always already we repeat the important reminders.

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Word family

mali has 5 related forms built from the same root.

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