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/Sounds like "mah" (as in "mark") + "LOO" (as in "loop") + "koh" (as in "coat")/

Meaning

Someone in a bad mood, difficult to deal with, or just looking for a fight. In Colombia, if someone is maluco, it means they woke up on the wrong side and everyone around them knows to stay clear.

Examples

Don't talk to him today, he's been in a foul mood since he got in.

My boss wakes up grumpy every Monday and the whole team avoids him.

Regional synonyms
Bandera de México
Bronco
Bandera de México
Bandera de Guatemala
Bandera de Honduras
Bandera de El Salvador
Bandera de Nicaragua
Bandera de Costa Rica
Bandera de Estados Unidos
Fregado

/Sounds like "mah" (as in "mark") + "LOO" (as in "loop") + "koh" (as in "coat")/

Meaning

Something that tastes bad, feels off, or makes you uncomfortable. In Colombia, maluco covers bad food, a weird vibe, or feeling physically unwell. It is the go-to word whenever something just is not right.

Examples

This juice tastes gross, did you accidentally add salt?

I felt off all afternoon after that lunch, something did not sit right.

Word family
Regional synonyms
Bandera de Uruguay
Fulero

/Sounds like "mah" (as in "mark") + "LOO" (as in "loop") + "koh" (as in "coat")/

Meaning

Something that tastes bad, smells off, or has gone bad. In Colombia, maluco covers the physical unpleasantness of spoiled food and the social unpleasantness of a foul mood equally well.

Examples

This cheese tastes off, I think it has gone bad.

Do not talk to her today, she is in a terrible mood.

Regional synonyms

Showing 3 definitions, sorted by votes

Keeping someone as a romantic backup option without committing but without letting them go either. Like having a player on the bench: they don't play but you don't release them just in case you need them.