Which prefix means "bad" or "difficult"?

The prefix that means "bad" or "difficult" is "dys-." This prefix is often used in medical terminology to indicate dysfunction or difficulty in a system or process of the body. For example, "dysfunction" refers to an abnormal or impaired functioning of a body part or system, illustrating the negative connotation associated with the prefix.

In medical terms, "dys-" is frequently applied to various conditions, such as "dysphagia," which denotes difficulty swallowing, and "dyspepsia," meaning bad digestion. These examples highlight the prefix's role in conveying challenges or abnormalities in bodily functions.

While "mal-" also conveys a sense of badness or poor quality, it is typically used in different contexts, such as "malnutrition" or "malignant," and is slightly more general. The prefixes "hyper-" and "hypo-" refer to levels of something being excessive or deficient, respectively, rather than indicating a negative or difficult condition.