tener mala suerte
have bad luck
The Spanish term 'tener mala suerte' translates to 'have bad luck' in English. This is a common colloquial phrase used to express the experience of unfavourable or negative outcomes, often due to circumstances outside one's control, such as in games of chance or everyday life situations. It is a verb phrase and 'tener' is the verb 'to have' while 'mala suerte' is the noun phrase for 'bad luck'. This is often used in conversational Spanish.
Example sentences using: tener mala suerte
Es posible tener mala suerte a veces.
It's possible to have bad luck sometimes.
This sentence implies that there are times when one might experience misfortune or disappointment. The phrase 'tener mala suerte' conveys the idea of having bad luck.
Voy a tener mala suerte si cruzo la calle.
I'm going to have bad luck if I cross the street.
This sentence implicates a belief in superstition. The speaker believes crossing the street would lead to bad luck, reflected in the phrase 'tener mala suerte'.
Para tener mala suerte, solo necesita desafiar a la suerte.
To have bad luck, you only need to challenge luck.
The sentence implies that courting risk can lead to misfortune, expressed through the phrase 'tener mala suerte'.
Aunque intente evitarlo, parece que voy a tener mala suerte.
Although I try to avoid it, it seems like I'm going to have bad luck.
This sentence indicates a sense of impending misfortune that the speaker feels unable to avoid, expressed with 'tener mala suerte'.
Antes de tener mala suerte, prefiero quedarme en casa.
Before having bad luck, I prefer to stay at home.
This sentence suggests the speaker's preference to remain in their comfort zone (home), rather than risk the potential of having bad luck ('tener mala suerte').
No necesitamos tener mala suerte para aprender de nuestros errores.
We don't need to have bad luck to learn from our mistakes.
In this sentence, 'tener mala suerte' is used to convey a standpoint that points towards gaining wisdom through personal errors, not necessarily through experiencing bad luck.
No quiero tener mala suerte en el día de mi boda.
I don't want to have bad luck on my wedding day.
This sentence uses 'tener mala suerte' to express a concern about potential misfortunes occurring on an important and typically joyous day, such as a wedding.
Creo que vas a tener mala suerte si sigues jugando.
I think you're going to have bad luck if you keep playing.
The speaker in this phrase uses 'tener mala suerte' to warn another individual about the potential for bad luck should they continue their current action (playing).
Si piensas que vas a tener mala suerte, lo más probable es que ocurra.
If you think you're going to have bad luck, it's most likely going to happen.
This sentence seems to imply a belief in self-fulfilling prophecies; the idea that expecting bad luck ('tener mala suerte') might indeed lead to it.
Para no tener mala suerte, lleva contigo un amuleto de la suerte.
To not have bad luck, carry a luck charm with you.
This sentence suggests the use of a lucky charm as a means to prevent misfortune, expressed in Spanish with the phrase 'tener mala suerte'.