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Learning idioms can help you learn a language quicker than you think! Some of them are funny too. Think of some in English “I am so hungry I can eat a horse”, “It is raining cats and dogs”, etc. We use these casually in our mother language that – sometimes to the point we don’t even notice! These phrases can actually that can give us a view into the world of that language!
For example in English we say “Who cut the cheese.” – It’s figuring out who did the action, which correlates with an individualist culture. There must be fault and we have to find the culprit. Compared to a more collectivist society. Japan, for example, has the phrase “出る杭は打たれる (Deru kui wa utareru)“ which means The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. – People who stand out or are different are often criticized or targeted. The point is to blend.
As you read these 14 Spanish phrases below think about how you can apply them, where they came from, and how it relates to their culture. By memorizing these phrases you can learn more vocab, grammar points and can understand casual conversation better! There are quite a few that are similar to English.
1) Estar en las nubes.
To be daydreaming. (Literally: To be in the clouds.)
2)Echar leña al fuego.
To add fuel to the fire. (To make a situation worse.)
Cultural Tip: It is a straightforward way of acknowledging that someone is making a situation more intense or problematic. This reflects a cultural preference for addressing issues head-on rather than avoiding them.
3)No hay mal que por bien no venga.
Every cloud has a silver lining. (There is no bad from which good doesn’t come.)
4)Tirar la casa por la ventana.
To spare no expense. (Literally: To throw the house out the window.)
5) Hacer de tripas corazón.
To bite the bullet. (Literally: To make a heart out of guts.)
6) Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (Literally: A bird in hand is worth more than a hundred flying.)
It means that it’s better to have a small but certain advantage or opportunity than the mere possibility of a greater one. Spanish culture often emphasizes a balanced lifestyle, where work, family, and leisure are all valued. This idiom aligns with the idea of finding balance and contentment in one’s current circumstances rather than chasing after elusive and potentially unattainable goals.
7) Estar como una cabra.
To be crazy. (Literally: To be like a goat.)
In many cultures, animals are often used in idioms and proverbs to convey particular traits or behaviors. In Spanish culture, the goat is seen as a symbol of unpredictable and erratic behavior. This imagery captures the essence of someone who is acting wildly or irrationally.
8) Hablar por los codos.
To talk a lot. (Literally: To talk through the elbows.)
Positive and Negative Connotations: Depending on the context, this idiom can have both positive and negative connotations. It can be used affectionately to describe someone who is very sociable and engaging, or it can be used more critically to describe someone who talks too much and doesn’t let others speak. This dual usage reflects the cultural balance between valuing communication and recognizing the need for listening.
Examples in Cultural Context
- Affectionate Teasing: Friends or family members might use this idiom to playfully tease someone who is known for being particularly talkative. For example, “María siempre está hablando por los codos” (María is always talking through her elbows).
- Describing Social Events: After a lively party or social gathering, someone might say, “Todos estaban hablando por los codos” (Everyone was talking through their elbows), to describe the vibrant and chatty atmosphere.
- Workplace Setting: In a workplace context, this idiom might be used to describe a colleague who tends to dominate conversations during meetings, highlighting the need for balance in communication.
9) Meter la pata.
To put one’s foot in one’s mouth. (To make a mistake or blunder.)
10) Ser pan comido.
To be a piece of cake. (Literally: To be eaten bread.)
11) A lo hecho, pecho.
What’s done is done. (Literally: To the done, chest.)
12) Quedarse de piedra.
To be stunned. (Literally: To remain as stone.)
13) Estar en el séptimo cielo.
To be in seventh heaven.
14) No tener pelos en la lengua.
To be straightforward. (Literally: To not have hairs on the tongue.)
Here is a cute infographic you can share and/or save!
Are there any Spanish idioms you like the most?
If there is anything you’d like to know please leave a comment below!
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