Two tiny Latin parts open a whole family of words. bene- means well (you know it from benefit), and mal- means badly (you know it from malfunction). Put one in front of another part and you get a word for good will or for ill will.
Key idea
bene- = well, good. mal- = badly, bad. A bene- word usually points to kindness or help; a mal- word points to harm, illness or trouble.
Each card has a picture and a memory hook: a sound-alike that acts out the meaning. Say the hook out loud, look at the picture, then read the sentences to see the word at work.
The ten words
The roots at work
Common mistake
Learners mix up benefactor (the giver) and beneficiary (the receiver), and take malign for an adjective only; it is most often a verb: to speak ill of someone.
| bene- word | meaning | mal- word | meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| benevolent | wishing good | malevolent | wishing harm |
| benign | gentle, harmless | malign | to speak ill of (or harmful) |
| benefactor | one who gives | malcontent | one who complains |
| beneficial | helpful | malicious | meaning to hurt |
Keep the giver and the receiver straight: a benefactor gives and a beneficiary receives. The ending -or names the one who does something, as in actor and donor.