pasarlo mal
verbCEFR B1
What does “pasarlo mal” mean in English?
to have a bad time, to go through a difficult period
to have a bad time, to go through a difficult period (clitic lo obligatory; pasarlo fatal = terrible)
Example sentences
Lo pasé muy mal durante los primeros meses en el extranjero porque no entendía bien el idioma y me costaba hacer amigos.
I had a very hard time during the first months abroad because I didn't understand the language well and found it difficult to make friends.
Los niños lo pasan fatal cuando ven discutir a sus padres; aunque los adultos creen que no se enteran, sí se enteran.
Children have a terrible time when they see their parents arguing; even though adults think they don't notice, they do notice.
Si lo estás pasando mal en el trabajo, habla con alguien; no tienes que aguantarlo solo.
If you're having a hard time at work, talk to someone; you don't have to put up with it alone.
How to use it
Pasarlo mal means 'to have a bad time', 'to have a rough time', or 'to go through a hard time'. Same structure as pasarlo bien — the clitic lo is obligatory. Common adverbials: pasarlo muy mal, pasarlo fatal, pasarlo bastante mal, pasarlo peor de lo esperado. It appears in both social contexts (a party that was unenjoyable) and personal hardship (going through a difficult period in life). Lo pasé muy mal can refer to a specific event or to an extended difficult period.
Common mistake
Same lo requirement as pasarlo bien. Register: informal. For extended personal hardship, pasarlo mal competes with sufrir mucho (more emotive) and tenerlo difícil (more analytical). The clitic lo cannot be omitted, and mal cannot be replaced by malo (*pasarlo malo is ungrammatical).