Can we talk about the word "pis" ?

Question

I read it somewhere else that pis is also the comparative form of mal. Can we talk about the usage of pis vs mal ? Thanks.

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Winston,
‘Pis’ is an adverb rarely used nowadays. It is considered to be quite dated. Generally it means ‘plus mal’ as an adverb or ‘pire’ if used in an adjectival or nominal expression.

Il va plus mal / pis (literary register) que jamais = he is worse than ever
C’est pire / pis (literary register) que tu ne l’imagines = it is worse than you                                                                                                                                               think

It is still present and used in a very literary register as above. It is also still present in idiomatic expressions:

aller de mal en pis = aller de plus en plus mal = to get worse and worse
Tant pis = c’est dommage = what a shame

I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée!

Answer

Perhaps this link will help you.https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/view/129