Read on for: 20+ Spanish sayings and expressions
Have you ever tried to practice your Spanish listening skills with native speakers and felt a bit lost? I imagine most of us learners have been there at some point… in some circumstances we still are!
On occasion, I’ve been listening to conversations or even reading written dialogue where I know each word, but just can’t make any sense of what’s actually being said.
A frequent cause?
Local sayings or slang expressions.
Sayings are sometimes unique to particular countries or regions within countries and those not from that area would also be at a comprehension loss. But I love them anyway. They’re so rich for appreciating culture and local parlance even if they confuse others for a bit. Asking for clarification is a great way to open up meaningful communication and cultural connections.
On the topic of cultural connections through language, we started our first run of The Beginner Spanish Experience a few weeks ago. Our weekly sessions include guest speakers from the Latinx community, and they’ve been sharing some of their favourite sayings with us!
Dali is from Nicaragua and her mom loves to say: “dame agujo, hilo y cóseme aquí” which loosely translates to give me needle, thread and sew me up here.
I believe it can be used in situations where someone is given something but then expected to deliver assistance/ results with them… like a gift with strings attached.
Santiago, from Peru, shared some expressions he’s heard his whole life e.g. referring to one’s girlfriend as “costilla” which means rib. This signifies that she’s always by her partner’s side.
Or maybe someone tells you “estás piña”… you are a pineapple???? Well, you know how a pineapple can be a bit sour… the saying means maybe you are or are having a bit of bad luck!
These expressions have been a great source of entertainment in our classes, so I went on a mission to find some more from around Latin America!
During an open discussion, it soon became apparent that some expressions are unique to certain countries but others are actually common across several, sometimes with no change at all or just a simple tweak.
Here are a few of the sayings we came up with…
Argentina
”En casa de herrero cuchillo de palo” – In the blacksmith’s house there are knives of wooden sticks.
Meaning that sometimes someone is an expert or does something for a living, but in their own life they might neglect it. There’s a very similar English saying: “The cobbler’s children have no shoes”.
Mexico
These three seem to be from Mexico:
“Entre menos burros, más olotes” – Between less donkeys, more corn cobs
When there are less people to share something, each person gets more. You could use this if you offer someone something to eat and they say no thanks.
“Aquí hay gato encerrado”– There’s a locked up cat here
You can use this expression to indicate your doubt about the truth of someone’s words or actions. The whole truth hasn’t been revealed; something’s missing.
“A lo que te truje, Chencha!” is believed to be an evolved form of “A lo que te traje, Crecencia”. – To what concerns you, Chencha
This indicates one should mind one’s own business! Focus on what concerns you and not on things that don’t.
La República Dominicana
In the Dominican Republic, this one signifies making the effort:
“Guayando la yuca” or sin “guayar la yuca” – to scratch or grate the cassava
It’s all about hard work and sacrifice. You have to do the work to reap the rewards.
Central America
“Más chafa que una galleta de animalito” – cheaper than an animal cracker
Used to say that something is super-cheaply made.
Paraguay
I love this one from Paraguay…
“El burro está hablando de orejas” – The donkey is talking about ears
The English equivalent: The kettle calling the pot black
Spain
Look at this rhythmic beauty from Andalusia, Spain
“No ni na” (no ni nada)
The triple negative makes a positive, similar to the “claro que sí” expression which means of course. It can also be a cheeky yeah, right used when someone says something that is obviously (even humorously) untrue.
These may not be the friendliest of expressions but you want to be aware of them, just in case!
Tell someone to get lost
In Ecuador, you could say:
“Vete a freír monos a Guayaquil.” – Go fry monkeys in Guayaquil (city in Ecuador).
In Chile, it changes to “Vete a freír monos al África.”
And another one used in various countries: “Vete a freír espárragos” – Go fry asparagus.
Say someone has a few screws loose or isn’t very intelligent (or sane):
In Argentina, you could say:
“Le faltan un par de jugadores” – He’s short a couple players
“No le llega agua al tanque” – The tank doesn’t have water
“No tiene los patitos en fila” – The ducks aren’t in a row
And these are used in various countries
“Le faltan un par de tornillos”- He’s short a couple screws
“Le faltan caramelos en el frasco” – The jar is missing some candy
“Le faltan 5 para el peso” – He’s missing five (cents) for the peso
Colombia
My Colombian source believes most of these to be from his part of South America:
“Póngale pilas!” – Put in the batteries
Move lively/ Put some pep in your step/ With more energy
“Hijo de tigre sale pintado” – Son of the tiger comes out painted/ striped
Like father, like son
“Está lloviendo hasta maridos” – It’s even raining husbands
It’s raining cats and dogs
“Por si las moscas” – In case of the flies
Just in case
Across Latin America
Here are four more expressions you can hear around Latin America
“El miedo no anda en burro” – Fear doesn’t ride the donkey
When someone purports to be brave but beats a hasty retreat in the face of real danger.
“El pez por su propia boca muere” – The fish dies by it’s own mouth
A call for discretion – He who speaks more than he should will put himself in problems.
“En lo que son peras o manzanas” – In which there are pears or apples
An expression to use when you’re not sure about something. Example: “mientras que son peras o manzanas yo no me tomo esa pastilla” – As I’m not sure I won’t take the tablet.
“El mundo es un pañuelo” – The world is a handkerchief
It’s a small world!
Did you know any of those expressions before reading through? I have to admit to having a good chuckle while uncovering some of these gems. My favourites so far might be: “El burro está hablando de orejas”and “Le faltan caramelos en el frasco.”
Suggestion: Find a couple expressions you like from the above list, learn them, and see if you can insert them into your next conversation with a native speaker. Maybe you’ll even have the opportunity to explain it if the person you’re speaking to doesn’t know it!
And if you want to work on improving your fluency, don’t forget to practice some favourite trabalenguas (Spanish tongue twisters)
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Fun sayings. Gracias por compartirlos!
De nada. I loved discovering these. I had a good chuckle!
These are great sayings! I especially love El burro está hablando de orejas and El mundo es un pañuelo.
Yes!!! Those are two I love too. Glad you enjoyed.
Thank you for sharing them! ?