locos y niños dicen la verdad

out of the mouths of babes
out of the mouths of babes

(idiomatic) Crazy people and children tell the truth, meaning they have no inhibition to express how they see things. Compare both in vino veritas and out of the mouths of babes.


se habla español

"we speak Spanish". More precisely, "Spanish is spoken (here)."


dicho y hecho

no sooner said than done
no sooner said than done


buscar pelos en la sopa

Literally, “to search for hair in the soup”.

lit

¿Por qué buscabas pelos en la sopa?

Why did you always look for excuses to complain?

Siempre buscas pelos en la sopa.

You always look for excuses to complain.

(idiomatic) to look for excuses to complain


al fin y al cabo

when all is said and done
when all is said and done

at the end of the day
at the end of the day


nose

(text messaging) Short for no sé (“IDK”).


nunca mucho cuesta poco

you get what you pay for
you get what you pay for


te amo

I love you (affirmation of romantic feeling)

I love you (affection and caring of family members or friends)


había una vez

(used at the beginnings of fairytales) once upon a time


nota bene

From Classical Latin notā bene (“note well”). See that entry for more information.

nota bene (used to add an aside or warning to a text)


no faltaba más

(idiomatic) don't mention it; you're welcome


a mal tiempo buena cara

al mal tiempo buena cara
al mal tiempo buena cara#Spanish

(idiomatic) Alternative spelling of al mal tiempo buena cara


vete a chingar

(derogatory, Cuba slang) Go fuck yourself


hasta la vista

→ English: hasta la vista

Literally, “until the seeing”, in other words, "until we see each other again".

so long, goodbye, see you later, until next time


manos a la obra

Literally, “hands to the building/work”.

Ya es hora, manos a la obra.

(idiomatic) hands on deck, let's get to work, let's get to it, get down to work, get on with it, get down to business


esto es chino para mí

it's all Greek to me
it's all Greek to me

(idiomatic) it's all Greek to me; I don't understand any of this


para gustos hay colores

para gustos colores
para gustos colores#Spanish


el día que las vacas vuelen

(idiomatic) that'll be the day; never; when pigs fly


TQM

Abbreviation of te quiero mucho (I love you a lot or I care a lot about you)


cuánto cuesta

how much does it cost
how much does it cost


ni chicha ni limonada

Literally, “neither chicha (an alcoholic drink made from grapes or apples) nor lemonade (a non-alcoholic drink)”.

lit

neither fish nor fowl
neither fish nor fowl

(idiomatic) neither fish nor fowl; not easily conforming to categorization (said of something that is unknown or unclear)


DEP

Initialism of descanse en paz (“RIP (requiescat in pace)”).


feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo

¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo! (canonical)

/feˌliθ nabiˌdad i ˌpɾospeɾo ˌaɲo ˈnwebo/

[feˌliθ̬ na.β̞iˌð̞að̞ i ˌpɾos.pe.ɾo ˌa.ɲo ˈnwe.β̞o]

/feˌlis nabiˌdad i ˌpɾospeɾo ˌaɲo ˈnwebo/

[feˌliz na.β̞iˌð̞að̞ i ˌpɾos.pe.ɾo ˌa.ɲo ˈnwe.β̞o]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year


vete a la mierda

Ojalá te fueses a la mierda

(idiomatic, vulgar, offensive) fuck you, fuck off, get fucked, go fuck yourself, go to hell


no hay de qué

don't mention it (used as you're welcome in the sense of no problem)


hablas inglés

do you speak English
do you speak English


sepa

Borrowed from French sais pas (“dunno”), a contracted form of je ne sais pas (“I don't know”).


cara o cruz

Tagalog : kara-krus


parece mentira

Parece mentira que tus tíos se hayan divorciado.

It's hard to believe that your aunt and uncle have divorced.

Parece mentira que el concierto sea divertido.

It's hard to believe that the concert would be fun.

Parece mentira que la cantante se haya subido una nave espacial.

It's hard to believe that the singer has gotten on a spacecraft.


mi casa es su casa

→ English: mi casa, su casa → English: mi casa es su casa

make yourself at home
make yourself at home

make yourselves at home
make yourselves at home

my house is your house
my house is your house

(formal) make yourself at home, make yourselves at home ,my house is your house


NTP

(Internet slang) initialism of no te preocupes (“don’t worry”)


mi casa es tu casa

(informal, to one person) make yourself at home


yo no hablo inglés

I don't speak English
I don't speak English


TKM

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of te kiero (quiero) mucho (“I luv you so much”).


a otro perro con ese hueso

Literally, “to another dog with that bone”.

Mejor te guardas todo
Eso a otro perro con ese hueso y nos decimos adios

tell it to the marines
tell it to the marines

(idiomatic) you can't fool me, go tell that to somebody else; tell it to the marines


y para de contar

(idiomatic) and that's all, and that's it, period (literally, "stop counting")


hasta mañana

goodbye, see you tomorrow, until tomorrow


hasta luego

hasta luego "until later".
Compare Portuguese até logo.

see you later, goodbye, bye, take care, so long, later


algo del otro mundo

Literally, “something from another world”.

something to write home about
something to write home about

something special or extraordinary; something to write home about


nada del otro mundo

Literally, “nothing from another world”.

nothing to write home about
nothing to write home about

no big deal, nothing special, nothing to write home about


zapatero, a tus zapatos

An anecdote attributed to Apelles; When a cobbler commented on his mistakes in painting a shoe, Apelles made the corrections that very night; the next morning the cobbler noticed the changes, and proud of his effect on the artist's work began to criticize how Apelles portrayed the leg—whereupon Apelles emerged from his hiding-place to state: Ne sutor ultra crepidam—"Let the shoemaker venture no further."

cobbler, keep to your last
cobbler, keep to your last

(idiomatic) cobbler, keep to your last (used to criticize someone who opines about a subject without knowing it)


qué pasa

what's up?; what’s the matter?; what is the problem?; what is wrong?

what's up?; what's happening?; what are you doing?


TQ

Abbreviation of te quiero (“I love you”).


necesitan ayuda

(polite, in the plural, Latin America) do you need help?


necesitáis ayuda

(familiar, in the plural, Spain) do you need help?


gracias por tu ayuda

thanks for your help
thanks for your help


cómo se dice...en inglés

how do you say...in English
how do you say...in English


me cago en la leche

Literally, “I shit in the milk”. Leche in this context refers to the mother's milk.

(vulgar, Spain, idiomatic) holy shit; fuck; fuck it

(vulgar, Spain, idiomatic) bloody hell!; bollocks!


una, dole, tele, catole

Una, dole, tele, catole

quile, quilete,

estaba la reina

en su gabinete,

vino Gil,

apagó el candil,

candil, candilón,

civil y ladrón.

eeny, meeny, miny, moe
eeny, meeny, miny, moe


ni come, ni deja comer

Literally, “neither eats, nor lets (others) eat”.


amor y paz y nada más

Literally, “love and peace and nothing more”.

a statement that love and peace are the most important attributes and actions and others are overvalued


que aproveche

Literally, “may you take advantage (of it)!”.


la leche

Literally, “the milk”, presumably referring to the mother's milk, similar to me cago en la leche.

Esta canción es la leche.

Él es la leche.

for someone to be skillful or impressive

¿Y esta es su casa? ¡La leche!

wow (used to express surprise, amazement)


a otra cosa, mariposa

(idiomatic) Let's change the subject, shall we?


poner los cuernos

Already attested in the 13th century, as Old Spanish poner las cuernas, which, however, had the different meaning “to turn (someone) into a cuckold”.

Se puso furioso cuando descubrió que su mujer le estaba poniendo los cuernos.

He was furious when he found out his wife was cheating on him.


ya te digo

you betcha; damn right; too right (used to express agreement)


vete a saber

(idiomatic) you tell me, goodness knows, who knows


Felices Reyes

From the Día de los Reyes (literally “day of the kings”), celebrated in some Spanish-speaking countries on January 6 every year. On this day, the Reyes Magos (“wise men”, literally “magic kings”), are said to give presents to children, equivalent to Santa Claus’s gift-giving celebrated on December 25.

Happy Wise Men Day A phrase used to wish a happy "Wise Men Day", celebrated on January 6 in some Spanish-speaking countries


lo primero es lo primero

first things first (let's deal with matters of highest priority first)


blanca y en botella, leche

Literally, “white and in a bottle, milk”.

(idiomatic) no doubt about it, no question

is the Pope Catholic
is the Pope Catholic


hablando del rey de Roma

Literally, “speaking of the king of Rome”. Shortened form of hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma


el mundo es un pañuelo

Literally, “the world is a handkerchief”.

—¿Pero qué tenía que ver tu amigo? —El mundo es un pañuelo, Yolanda. Algunos callistas que participaron en la campaña del presidente suelen hablar mucho de esta casa.

2012, Magdalena González Gámez, La bandida, Grijalbo, →ISBN:


pim pam pum

El pim-pam-pum de reproches cruzados ha finalizado con una intervención de teniente de alcalde de Cultura y concejal de presidencia del gobierno de Colau, Jordi Martí.

2022 January 28, Clara Blanchar, “El pleno de Barcelona plasma la falta de consenso político sobre los Juegos de invierno”, in El País:


sueña con los angelitos

sweet dreams (phrase said before going to sleep)


viva la Pepa

let the good times roll
let the good times roll


REA

(Spain) Initialism of responsable empresa anunciadora (“any company that puts up advertisements here will be held responsible”).


si yo te contara

don't get me started
don't get someone started


si no quieres caldo, taza y media

Literally, “if you don't want broth, a bowl and a half”.

lit

it never rains but it pours
it never rains but it pours

¿No querías caldo? ¡Pues toma dos tazas!

lentejas, si quieres las comes y si no, las dejas


a. D. g.

Initialism of a Dios gracias (“thank God”).


nunca mejor dicho

I couldn't have said it better myself
I couldn't have said it better myself

you said it; I couldn't have said it better myself; damn straight (used to agree wholeheartedly with a statement)


hay que joderse

(idiomatic, vulgar) you're [fucking] kidding me; crap; holy crap (to express bitter disappointment)

would you believe it
would you believe it

(idiomatic, vulgar) would you believe it; fuck me (to express surprise)


a tomar por saco

a tomar por culo
a tomar por culo#Spanish


a tomar por culo

From tomar por el culo (literally “take [something] in the ass”), in spoken Spanish sometimes shortened as tomar por culo.

¡A tomar por culo vosotros!

¡A tomar por culo el mundo!

¡Vete a tomar por culo!

Les mandé a tomar por culo.

take a long walk on a short pier
take a long walk on a short pier

go away, fuck off, take a long walk on a short pier, go jump in the lake, go to hell

El festival está a tomar por culo.

The festival is in the middle of nowhere.


quiúbole

(colloquial, Mexico, El Salvador) Alternative spelling of quehúbole


echarle los perros

Ella siempre estaba echándole los perros a Mauricio.

(colloquial, Guatemala, idiomatic) to flirt


echarle los calzones

Literally, “throw one's panties [at someone]”.

Ya deja de echarle los calzones a él.

(vulgar, idiomatic, El Salvador) to flirt (said of a girl)


NMC

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of no me chingues (“don't fuck with me”).


a lo hecho, pecho

make one's bed and lie in it
make one's bed and lie in it

(idiomatic) make one's bed and lie in it


cómo te llamas

rural northern Spain, Andes Mountains, Philippines


head

tanto monta, monta tanto, Isabel como Fernando

it doesn't matter in which order things are


más vale tarde que nunca

Literally, “it's worth more late than never”.

lit

better late than never
better late than never


nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena

Literally, “it's never late if the fortune is good”.


dos cabezas piensan mejor que una

[ˌd̪os kaˌβ̞e.θas pjẽnˌsãm meˌxoɾ ke ˈu.na]

[ˌd̪os kaˌβ̞e.sas pjẽnˌsãm meˌxoɾ ke ˈu.na]

Literally, “two heads think better than one”.

two heads are better than one
two heads are better than one


me la pela

(Mexico, Spain, idiomatic, colloquial, vulgar) I don't give a shit


por el interés te quiero Andrés

Literally, “for the interest, I love you Andrés”.

I'm only interested in being (romantically) with you because of what you can offer.


anda que no

you'd better believe it
you'd better believe it

hell yes, hell yeah, you'd better believe it


aquí te pillo, aquí te mato

Literally, “Here I catch you, here I kill you”.

wham, bam, thank you ma'am
wham, bam, thank you ma'am

(Spain, vulgar, colloquial, idiomatic) hit it and quit it; wham, bam, thank you ma'am


dichosos los ojos que te ven

long time no see, you're a sight for sore eyes


éramos pocos y parió la abuela

Literally, “there were few of us, and Grandma gave birth”.

lit

as if that wasn't enough
as if that wasn't enough

went from bad to worse
go from bad to worse

(idiomatic) as if that wasn't enough; things went from bad to worse

salir de Guatemala y meterse en Guatepeor


al que le quepa el sayo

a el que le quede el saco, que se lo ponga

a el que le quede el poncho, que se lo ponga


de perdidos al río

in for a penny, in for a pound
in for a penny, in for a pound

(idiomatic) in for a penny, in for a pound; there is nothing to lose


head

el burro delante, para que no se espante

Literally, “the donkey at the front, so it doesn't get scared”.

lit

A phrase used as a reminder that it is impolite to put the subject yo (“I”) at the beginning of a phrase mentioning other subjects.


a rey muerto, rey puesto

Literally, “at [the time of a] dead king, king put in position”.

m-g

at 􂀿the time of a􂁀 dead king, king put in position

lit

the king is dead, long live the king
the king is dead, long live the king

out with the old, in with the new
out with the old, in with the new


no hay moros en la costa

Literally, “there are no Moors at the coast”.
The origin of this phrase comes from a time where the Moors, inhabitants of north Africa, used to invade from the sea and sack coastal villages in Spain. The phrase means that there are no Moors at the coast, which generally meant that there are no problems coming our way.
In Cuba though,”Hay Moros en la costa” (There are Moors on the coast), is to alert someone that there are children present and adult conversations should not occur.

Cuando estemos seguros que no hay moros en la costa, tú te vistes de mensajero, llegas en la moto con tu casco a la hora de comer del portero, un sábado, […]

2012, Carlos Laredo, El diagnóstico, page 200:

When we're sure the coast is clear, you dress up like a messenger, you arrive on your motorcycle with your helmet at the porter's mealtime, a saturday, […]

–En la costa, maman. No hay moros en la costa. –Trev buscó a tientas la vela que la enfermera acababa de apagar.

2010, Laura Kinsale, El profesor de francés, page 268:

–In the coast, maman. The coast is clear. –Trev blindly looked for the candle the nurse had just put out.

Tras un par de cuadras me detengo para cerciorarme de que no nos siguen. No hay moros en la costa. Todavía agitado y bufando le marco por teléfono a Carlos.

2012, Jorge E. González Ayala, Más noche que ayer en la noche, page 122:

After a couple of city blocks I stop to make sure they're not following us. The coast is clear. Still agitated and snorting I call Carlos on the telephone.


no hablo inglés

I don't speak English
I don't speak English


a buenas horas mangas verdes

[a ˌβ̞we.nas ˌo.ɾaz ˌmãŋ.ɡaz ˈβ̞eɾ.ð̞es]

From the phrase "a buenas horas" (it's high time/it's about time) + "mangas verdes" (meaning green sleeves). The term "mangas verdes" goes back to the Santa Hermandad, a peacekeeping force in Spain, who wore short sleeveless jackets, under which they wore green shirts. This law-enforcement agency had a reputation for always arriving too late to solve a crime or catch a criminal, hence the phrase.

(idiomatic) about time, better late than never


Fulano, Zutano, Mengano y Perengano

Tom, Dick and Harry (anybody or everybody; random or unknown people)


me cago en la puta

Literally, “I shit on the bitch/whore/prostitute”.

(vulgar, Spain, idiomatic) fuck; fuck it


donde dije digo, digo Diego

Literally, “where I said 'I say', I say 'Diego'”. It is a play on words.

(Spain) A phrase used by the speaker when rectifying something they had previously said, claiming it was mispronounced or misinterpreted, or because they changed their opinion; to take back, to retract


sea lo que sea

Literally, “be it what(ever) it may be”.

whatever may come, no matter what, whatever happens, come what may


me la suda

(idiomatic, colloquial) I don't give a fuck, whatever, i don't give a rat's arse


¿dónde va Vicente? donde va la gente

¿dónde va Vicente donde va la gente (canonical)

/ˌdonde ˌba biˌθente | ˌdonde ˌba la ˈxente/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌβ̞a β̞iˌθẽn̪.t̪e | ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌβ̞a la ˈxẽn̪.t̪e]

/ˌdonde ˌba biˌsente | ˌdonde ˌba la ˈxente/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌβ̞a β̞iˌsẽn̪.t̪e | ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌβ̞a la ˈxẽn̪.t̪e]

Literally, “Where is Vicente going? Where the people are going”.

lit

monkey see, monkey do
monkey see, monkey do


ojo por ojo, diente por diente

eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth


me cago en todo

me cago en la leche
me cago en la leche#Spanish


me cago en tu puta madre

Literally, “I shit in your fucking mother”.


se supone

1872, Cortes (Parliament) of Spain, Diario de las sesiones de Cortes, page 4082

Isn't it suppossed that electors must choose individuals who have the same quality of proprietors that they have?

No se supone que los electores han de nombrar a individuos que tengan la misma calidad de propietarios que ellos?

Oficialmente se supone que no podemos aparcar aquí, pero en la práctica da igual.

Officially, it is not supposed that we are allowed to park here, but in actual practice no one cares.

Se supone que llega a las seis en punto.

He is supposed to arrive at six o'clock.

(+subjunctive) it is supposed to be that

La vida se supone que sea equilibrada.


se come

(humorous, idiomatic) the hell?; the heck?; when it's at home?


cómeme el rabo

(idiomatic, vulgar, offensive, Spain) suck my dick, suck my cock, bite me, suck my balls, suck it, bite me, kiss my ass


me cago en tus muertos

Literally, “I shit on your dead (relatives)”.

holy crap on a stick
holy crap on a stick

(Spain, vulgar, offensive, idiomatic) fuck; fuck it; holy crap on a stick


me cago en el mar

(vulgar, Spain, idiomatic) fuck; fuck it; holy crap on a stick


cómeme el coño

(idiomatic, vulgar, Spain) suck it, suck my cock, suck my balls, bite me, kiss my ass


me cago en todo lo que se menea

[me ˌka.ɣ̞o ẽn̪ ˌt̪o.ð̞o lo ke se meˈne.a]

Literally, “I shit on everything that wiggles/moves”.


cuántos años tienes

Literally, “how many years do you have?”.


cuánto tiempo

Cuánto tiempo sin verte.

Hombre, ¡cuánto tiempo!


es decir

“Vimos que el efecto de estos compuestos (endocannabinoides) es bifásico, es decir, que dosis bajas estimulan la conducta sexual, mientras que dosis altas la inhiben.

2014 June 3, “Descubren sustancia que estimula el apetito sexual”, in La Prensa:

“We see that the effect of these compounds (endocannabinoids) is biphasic, that is, low doses stimulate sexual behavior, while high doses inhibit it.

i.e., in other words, that is, that is to say, namely, meaning, rather, this means, that means


no pasa nada

Si no quieres hablar de ello, no pasa nada.

If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay.


me llamo

Me llamo Marta. ¿Y usted?


ábrete sésamo

From its use in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, translating French Sésame, ouvre-toi in Antoine Galland's version of the Ali Baba story in the One Thousand and One Nights, possibly based on an oral Arabic source.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Antoine Galland
One Thousand and One Nights


la garantía soy yo

→ Portuguese: la garantia soy yo

take my word for it
take someone's word for it


es que

¿Y no se salía por las junturas?
No, no, qué va; es que el maletín no se abría por la mitad como todos. Era un recipiente hermético que le habían fabricado ex profeso.

2001, Ramon García Dominguez, Una piraña en mi bañera:

Wasn't it coming out of the joints?
Oh no, the thing is that the case didn't open in half like all the others. It was an airtight container they'd made for him ex profeso

the thing is; the truth is; in fact; actually

Mas yo nací hablador, y soy fanático
por ensuciar papel: no es que presuma
de sabio, de doctor, ni catedrático;
yo no soy más que un loco, soy lunático

(in negative, followed by subjunctive) it's not that


no sé qué y no sé cuánto

Literally, “I don't know what and I don't know how much”.

lit

Ese día fuimos por Mocambo y tomamos un café y unos cocteles y no sé qué y no sé cuánto, y vi que mi padre y aquella señora se veían mucho y de pronto le dice mi padre a ella en catalán, le dice: “Oye, tú eres Lolita ¿verdad?”

2018, Enriqueta Tuñón Pablos, Varias voces, una historia…: Mujeres exiliadas en México, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, →ISBN:

(idiomatic, colloquial) blah blah blah, this and that


para gustos colores

Literally, “for tastes, colours”. More freely translated, "there are colours for all tastes"

there's no accounting for taste
there's no accounting for taste

different strokes for different folks
different strokes for different folks

there's no accounting for taste, different strokes for different folks


no mames

no way!; are you fucking kidding?; gimme a break


adiós Madrid, que te quedas sin gente

/aˌdjos maˌdɾid | ke te ˌkedas ˌsin ˈxente/

[aˌð̞joz maˌð̞ɾið̞ | ke t̪e ˌke.ð̞as ˌsĩŋ ˈxẽn̪.t̪e]

Literally, “goodbye Madrid, may you end up without people". More loosely translated, it could be "goodbye Madrid, I hope everyone leaves”. The exact origin of the phrase is not clear, but it seems to be from a story of a peddler who went to Madrid to make a fortune. Upon failing this, he uttered this phrase sadly while leaving the city.

lit

(idiomatic) good riddance (Used to indicate that a departure, or loss is welcome.)


vete con la música a otra parte

Literally, “go away with the music to another place”.

lit

take a long walk off a short pier
take a long walk off a short pier

(idiomatic) scram; get outta here; go take a long walk off a short pier


sí y no

yes and no (when answering a yes-no question, implies that the answer is relative and may be both yes and no)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see sí, y, no.


café para todos

(Spain) one-size-fits-all; particularly, the idea that all nationalities and regions of Spain will enjoy equal self-government


qué tripa se te ha roto

Literally, “which intestine of yours has broken?”. A plausible reference to appendicitis.

(Spain, informal, idiomatic) what's the matter; what's with you


otro gallo cantaría

The full phrase is "Si Pedro no hubiera negado a Jesucristo tres veces, otro gallo cantaría", meaning "if Peter hadn't denied Jesus three times, another cockerel would sing", in reference to the biblical story of the Denial of Peter.

woulda, coulda, shoulda
woulda, coulda, shoulda

if pigs had wings they would fly
if pigs had wings they would fly

if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle

woulda, coulda, shoulda; if pigs had wings they would fly; if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle


cada palo que aguante su vela

Literally, “[let] every stick hold up its sail”.

every man for himself
every man for himself


hay ropa tendida

Literally, “there's clothing hung out”. This expression stemmed from prisons, where it was used to warn of the presence of the guards.

(idiomatic) someone is within earshot; someone might be listening in to the conversation


head

con esto y un bizcocho, hasta mañana a las ocho

Playful rhyme. Literally, “with this and a cake, see you tomorrow at eight o'clock”.

lit

see you later, alligator
see you later, alligator

let's call it a day; let's wrap it up; see you later, alligator


quién quita

Quién quita y hoy encuentras a tu media naranja…

You never know, maybe you’ll find your significant other tonight?

(Latin America) you never know, who knows


no jodas

no way; fuck off (expression of disbelief, often used ironically)


a la verga

(idiomatic, vulgar, Latin America) fuck it; fuck this

¡Vete a la verga!

(idiomatic, vulgar, Latin America) the fuck


cuando las ranas críen pelo

(idiomatic) that'll be the day; never; when pigs fly


que si

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see que, si.

¡Que si hubiera más tiempo!


culo veo, culo quiero

Used when someone wants something that another person has


he aquí

From he (“(t)here is, lo!”) + aquí (“here”). Compare with Latin ecce (“behold!”), Italian ecco (“behold!”), and Portuguese eis (“behold!”).

¡He aquí, el que ha dicho tal cosa prejuiciosa!

Behold, he who has said such hurtful thing!

¡He aquí! La alma triste, todo por el amor de una doncella

Lo! The sad soul, all because of a damsel's love

He aquí los mejores perros calientes del mundo.

Here you have the best hotdogs in the world.

He aquí tus llaves, las dejaste en el carro.

Here are your keys, you left them in the car.

He aquí, tu nueva casa.
Voilà, your new house.


ni tanto ni tan calvo

(idiomatic) don't exaggerate; don't get carried away


érase que se era

(used at the beginnings of fairytales) once upon a time


bicho malo nunca muere

a creaking door hangs longest
a creaking door hangs longest

the devil looks after his own
the devil looks after his own


head

lentejas, si quieres las comes y si no, las dejas

Literally, “lentils, if you want to eat them and if not, leave them”.


head

el sábado, sabadete, camisa nueva y polvete

/el ˌsabado | sabaˌdete | kaˌmisa ˌnweba i polˈbete/

[el ˌsa.β̞a.ð̞o | sa.β̞aˌð̞e.t̪e | kaˌmi.sa ˌnwe.β̞a i polˈβ̞e.t̪e]

Literally, “Saturday, Saturday, new shirt and powder”. Traditionally, before the days of washing machines, men would wash their shirt only once a week (Saturday). The polvete (powder) refers to the talcum powder used to clean the shirt. The word sabadete may have originally been a nonce word coined in order to rhyme with polvete.
Over the years, polvo has acquired a slang meaning of sexual intercourse, so the phrase has come to carry connotations of weekend sexual liaisons.

lit

(idiomatic, Spain) a phrase used to show excitement about the day being Saturday; thank God it's the weekend


qué xopá

From ¿qué pasó?, featuring traspalante (syllable inversion, akin to vesre) in pasó.


sarna con gusto no pica

Literally, “scabies, if you're happy, doesn't itch”.

lit

don't do the crime if you won't do the time


cosas veredes

you'll see that it's a crazy world out there


qué rayos

¿Qué rayos haces?


soplar y sorber, no puede ser

Literally, “blowing and sucking [at the same time] can't be [done]”.

m-g

blowing and sucking 􂀿at the same time􂁀 can't be 􂀿done􂁀

lit

have your cake and eat it too
have your cake and eat it too

you can't have your cake and eat it too; you can't suck and blow


que lo que

(idiomatic, slang) what's up, wassup, what is it, what it is, what is what it is, what is what, what are you doing, what's happening, what's going on


en todas partes cuecen habas

[ẽn̪ ˌt̪o.ð̞as ˌpaɾ.t̪es ˌkwe.θẽn ˈa.β̞as]

[ẽn̪ ˌt̪o.ð̞as ˌpaɾ.t̪es ˌkwe.sẽn ˈa.β̞as]

Literally, “they cook beans everywhere”.

it's the same thing that happens wherever you go


que Dios te bendiga

God bless you (said as a short prayer for the recipient)


culo del mundo

Literally, “ass of the world”. Akin to Portuguese cu do mundo, French trou du cul du monde and German Arsch der Welt.

m-g

<i class="Latn mention" lang="en">ass of the world</i>

in the middle of nowhere
in the middle of nowhere

(idiomatic, vulgar) bumfuck nowhere, in the sticks, in the middle of nowhere, arse end of nowhere


es peor el remedio que la enfermedad

Literally, “the remedy is worse than the disease”.

lit

the cure is worse than the disease
the cure is worse than the disease

(idiomatic) the cure is worse than the disease


las reglas están hechas para romperse

rules are made to be broken
rules are made to be broken


que te follen

(idiomatic, vulgar, offensive) up yours, fuck you, fuck off, get fucked, go fuck yourself, (UK) get stuffed, piss off, go to hell, go away


cómeme los huevos

Literally, “eat my eggs (balls, testicles)!”.

(idiomatic, vulgar, offensive) suck my balls, suck it, suck my cock, bite me, kiss my ass


vete a tomar por culo

Literally, “go take it in the ass/arse”.

(idiomatic, vulgar, Spain) fuck you, fuck off, get fucked, go fuck yourself, go to hell


que te folle un pez

Literally, “(I hope) you get fucked by a fish”.

(idiomatic, vulgar, offensive) fuck you, get fucked, go fuck yourself, go to hell


las reglas se hicieron para romperse

Literally, “rules were made to be broken”, as in English.


al mal tiempo, buena cara

Literally, “to bad weather, (put on a) good face”.

(idiomatic) when life gives you lemons, make lemonade


si la vida te da limones, haz limonada

Literally, “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.


la polla en vinagre

(Spain, vulgar, idiomatic) the bomb, fantastic


a fin de cuentas

Compare Portuguese no fim das contas, French en fin de compte, Italian in fin dei conti.

at the end of the day
at the end of the day


y tú más

2013 September 11, Anabel Díez, “Mariano Rajoy a Rubalcaba: “No voy a entrar en el ‘y tú más’, y fíjese si tenía oportunidad””, in El País:

I know you are but what am I
I know you are but what am I

so's your mom; I know you are but what am I?


estar como agua para chocolate

estar (“be”) + como (“like”) + agua (“water”) + para (“for”) + chocolate (“chocolate”) (i.e., boiling)

to be boiling mad, hopping mad, very angry, burned up, fuming, furious, raging mad, raving mad


nunca digas de esta agua no beberé

Literally, “never say I won't drink from this water”. Compare Don Quixote II, 55.

lit

Nunca digas de este agua no beberé, pero el equipo de Yahoo! está muy dedicado, pase lo que pase, a mantener la cultura que existe.

2000, Tiempo de hoy, numbers 970-973, page 62:

nunca digas de esta agua no beberé, ni este cura no es mi padre


head

por un perro que maté, mataperros me llamaron

give a dog a bad name and hang him
give a dog a bad name and hang him


trágame tierra

shoot me! Kill me now! I wish the earth would swallow me up!


hacer barra

Vamos a hacerle barra al equipo.

(idiomatic, colloquial, El Salvador) root for, cheer on a person or team

Háganme barra al cine, que no quiero ir solo.

Guys, go with me to the movies, I don't want to go alone.

Quiero ir a bailar, haceme barra.

(idiomatic, colloquial, El Salvador) accompany, come along with somebody


pan con pan, comida de tontos

Literally, “bread with bread, food of fools”, or more loosely translated as “a bread sandwich is a fool's food”.

lit

merging very similar things or always doing the same thing is boring and unsatisfactory


head

nunca digas de esta agua no beberé, ni este cura no es mi padre

Literally, “never say I won't drink from this water, nor this priest is not my father”.

lit

nunca digas de esta agua no beberé#Spanish

Alternative form of nunca digas de esta agua no beberé


me cago en San Pito Pato

me cago en la leche
me cago en la leche#Spanish

(euphemistic) Synonym of me cago en la leche


head

¿qué tienen que ver los cojones con comer trigo?

Literally, “What do the bollocks have to do with eating wheat”?

lit

(Spain) what does that have to do with the price of tea in China

qué tienen que ver los cojones para comer trigo

qué tendrán que ver los cojones con comer trigo


no manches

Literally, “don't stain” or “don't ruin”.

¡No manches!

Shut up! Are you kidding? Stop being an idiot!

don't screw around, stop joking, stop being silly


head

lo que se han de comer los gusanos, que lo disfruten los cristianos

Literally, “let the Christians enjoy what the worms will eat”

lit

used as a tongue in cheek justification for promiscuity or wearing revealing clothes

eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die


o todos coludos, o todos rabones

Literally, “either everybody long tailed, or everybody without tail”.

lit

everyone should receive the same or be held by the same standard


o follamos todos, o la puta al río

/o foˌʝamos ˌtodos | o la ˌputa al ˈrio/

[o foˌʝa.mos ˌt̪o.ð̞os | o la ˌpu.t̪a al ˈri.o]

/o foˌʎamos ˌtodos | o la ˌputa al ˈrio/

[o foˌʎa.mos ˌt̪o.ð̞os | o la ˌpu.t̪a al ˈri.o]

/o foˌʃamos ˌtodos | o la ˌputa al ˈrio/

[o foˌʃa.mos ˌt̪o.ð̞os | o la ˌpu.t̪a al ˈri.o]

/o foˌʒamos ˌtodos | o la ˌputa al ˈrio/

[o foˌʒa.mos ˌt̪o.ð̞os | o la ˌpu.t̪a al ˈri.o]

Literally, “either we all fuck, or we throw the whore into the river”.


o todos moros o todos cristianos

Literally, “either all moors, or all christians”.


lo prometido es deuda

a promise is a promise
a promise is a promise


si la mirada matara

if looks could kill; used to characterize a look of strong hostility


no van por ahí los tiros

Literally, “the shots aren't going over there”.

(idiomatic) to get it all wrong; to be nothing like that


head

casa mía, casa mía, por pequeña que tú seas, me pareces una abadía

Literally, “my home, my home, however small you are, you seem to me like an abbey”.

lit

there's no place like home
there's no place like home


buena proa

(nautical) smooth sailing; happy sailing


ni olvido, ni perdón

* From yo perdono, pero no olvido (I forgive but not forget)

never forget, nor forgive
never forget, nor forgive


cómo no

Literally, “how [could the subject] not", i.e. "how can I refuse?”.

m-g

how 􂀿could the subject􂁀 not", i.e. "how can I refuse?

lit

(in response to a question) sure thing; sure; of course; you bet


poner el carro delante del burro

Literally, “put the cart in front of the ass/donkey”.

lit

poner el carro delante de los bueyes#Spanish

Alternative form of poner el carro delante de los bueyes


dos tetas tiran más que dos carretas

/ˌdos ˌtetas tiˌɾam ˌmas ke ˌdos kaˈretas/

[ˌd̪os ˌt̪e.t̪as t̪iˌɾãm ˌmas ke ˌð̞os kaˈre.t̪as]

Literally, “two tits [breasts] pull more than two wagons”.

m-g

two tits 􂀿breasts􂁀 pull more than two wagons

lit

tiran más dos tetas que dos carretas#Spanish

Alternative form of tiran más dos tetas que dos carretas


hoy por ti, mañana por mí

Literally, “today for you, tomorrow for me”.

(idiomatic) you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours


Dios me libre

-¡Calla, blasfemo!... ¿conque comparas a esa casa de prostitución y de crimen con la que es domus Dei?
-¡Dios me libre de tal maldad, Padre[…]!

1870, Vicente Fidel López, La novia del hereje o la Inquisición de Lima:

"Quiet, you blasphemer!...Are you really comparing this house of prostitution and crime to the very domus Dei [house of God]"?
"God forbid such evilness, Father […] !"

¿Me echa usted?
–No, me defiendo. ¡No te echo, no! ¡Dios me libre! Si quieres me ire yo y te quedas aquí tú, para que veas que no te echo.

"Are you throwing me out?"
"No", I defended, "I'm not throwing you out, no! God forbid! If you want I'll go and you stay here, so you know I'm not throwing you out."

Pero si se entera mi mamá de que ella ha sabido algo y yo no, Dios me libre, ¡qué cosas va a decirme!

1986, María Luisa de Luján Campos, Para que me lo guardes en secreto:

But if my mum finds out that she's known something and I haven't, God forbid! Imagine what she's going to tell me!

¡Ah!, y si tiene inconveniente, quíteme lo de “doña” que hace muy vieja —dijo la señora, con rostro riente, mientras miraba a Vince.
 —Claro, Dios me libre de repetirlo.

Oh! Would you be so kind as to stop using "Ma'am" with me, it makes me seem old, said the lady, in a smiling face, while looking at Vince
Of course. God forbid I should use it again.


q. e. p. d.

que en paz descanse
que en paz descanse#Spanish

Initialism of que en paz descanse (“R.I.P.”).


donde pongo el ojo pongo la bala

Literally, “where I put [my] eye, I put the bullet”.

lit

he shoots, he scores
he shoots, he scores

he shoots, he scores (used to say someone obtains something they set out to do)


cuando seas padre comerás huevos

Literally, “when you are [a] father you will eat eggs”.

m-g

when you are 􂀿a􂁀 father you will eat eggs

lit

age gives you privileges; when you get older you can do more things


coyol quebrado, coyol comido

Literally, “grugru palm parted, grugru palm eaten”.

(Costa Rica, Nicaragua) a phrase implying living hand-to-mouth


no todo el monte es orégano

Literally, “the whole mountain is not oregano”.

life is not all beer and skittles
life is not all beer and skittles


quiero decir

Vamos, hombre. ¿Me estás tomando el pelo? Quiero decir, no puedes esperar que crea esa historia.

Come on, man. Are you pulling my leg? I mean, you can't expect me to buy that story.


que lo haga Rita

Literally, “let Rita do it" or "get Rita to do it”. The Rita in question is Rita Giménez García, a flamenco singer.

let George do it; I can't be bothered to do it


que si quieres arroz, Catalina

Literally, “if you want [some] rice, Catalina”. The phrase is said to go back to the time of John II of Castile. The story goes that there was a lady called Catalina who was on her death bed, and all the townsfolk were continuously asking her "do you want rice, Catalina?" She didn't respond to the question and died soon thereafter. It is possible that she was ignoring the people's questions deliberately, or that she was too weak to answer. We will never know. Nor will we know if the story was real or just made up by a lexicographer.

Llevo tres días buscando a ese desalmado de Ari, sin éxito. He removido cielo y tierra, lo que significa todo mi barrio y parte del siguiente, pero que si quieres arroz Catalina.

2014, Maya Ruibarbo, ¿Sin trabajo? Pues me caso:

it fell on deaf ears; it came to nothing; nothing came of it


me cago en tus muelas

me cago en tus muertos
me cago en tus muertos#Spanish

Euphemistic form of me cago en tus muertos.


mejorando lo presente

Literally, “improving the [one] present”.

present company excepted
present company excepted


ni hecho a propósito

Literally, “not even done deliberately”.

you couldn't have made this up; that couldn't be done if you tried


para gustos, los colores

para gustos colores
para gustos colores#Spanish


¿eres poeta? ¡pues súbete la bragueta!

¿eres poeta ¡pues súbete la bragueta! (canonical)

/ˌeɾes poˌeta | ˌpwes ˌsubete la bɾaˈɡeta/

[ˌe.ɾes poˌe.t̪a | ˌpwes ˌsu.β̞e.t̪e la β̞ɾaˈɣ̞e.t̪a]

Literally, “are you a poet? So do up your fly!”. Supposedly, the person who is being addressed replies "no" after the question.


ojo al dato

get this (used to emphasise something following in the text)


no hay quien

it is impossible; there's no use; nobody can; there's no (used to talk about impossibility)


chúpate esa

put that in your pipe and smoke it
put that in your pipe and smoke it

put that in your pipe and smoke it; so there; in your face


DCM

Abbreviation of de cada mes (of each month)


ser la repanocha

—Pero tú tienes una cámara que sí es la repanocha. —Sí, está bien, tiene muchas batallas pero funciona. No es una Hasselblad, claro, pero cumple.

2016, Rebeca Rus, Todas las bodas necesitan un plan B, Harlequin, →ISBN:

Además, mi publicista es la repanocha. Ya está trabajando en una estrategia.

2016, Mhairi McFarlane, ¿Quién es esa chica?, Libros de Seda, →ISBN:

(Spain, colloquial) to be awesome, extraordinary


cuál es tu nombre

cuál (“what”) + es (“is”) + tu (“your”) + nombre (“name”).


B. L. P.

(archaic) Abbreviation of besa los pies, a formal way to close a letter


B. L. M.

(archaic) Abbreviation of besa la mano, a formal way to close a letter


no lo sabes tú bien

-Como el de una manzana. Iba tan risueña y saltona, que bien a las claras se veía su perfecta salud. ¡Se me pasaron unas ganas de detenerla y darle un par de besos...! ¡Qué mona es!
-¡Ay, no lo sabes tú bien! -dijo Guerra con efusión, abrazando a su querida-. Dime: si alguna vez la traigo a vivir con nosotros, la querrás como la quiero yo?

1891, Benito Pérez Galdós, Ángel Guerra:

no lo sabes bien
no lo sabes bien#Spanish


año de nieves, año de bienes

Literally, “year of snows, year of goods”.

April showers bring May flowers
April showers bring May flowers

(idiomatic) April showers bring May flowers


qué pena me das

(sarcastic) cry me a river; too bad, so sad

qué pena me da (2nd person formal singular)

qué pena me dan (2nd person formal plural)


me cago en la hostia

Literally, “I shit on the communion wafer”. hostia, as well as meaning communion wafer, is a very flexible vulgarity.

me cago en la leche
me cago en la leche#Spanish


me cago en la Virgen

Literally, “I shit on the Virgin [Mary]”.


un burro hablando de orejas

el burro hablando de orejas
el burro hablando de orejas#Spanish

Alternative form of el burro hablando de orejas


el burro hablando de orejas

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black


damas y caballeros

ladies and gentlemen
ladies and gentlemen


si te he visto no me acuerdo

Literally, “if I have seen you [before], I don't remember”.

m-g

if I have seen you 􂀿before􂁀, I don't remember

lit

-Naide me forza a mí, ni me pone «pie de amigo» a dos tirones -replicó don Anacleto temblándole la borlilla del barboquejo por encima del labio;- ni tampoco soy güey que se lamba de puro goloso, ni me cuelgan abrojos en el rabo como a más de uno que creo que está limpio en todas partes: y no se desmande el sargento ajuera del pago, ni compare con murciélagos a la gente, porque aquí hay avechuchos que miran más lejos que el ratón y en un revoleo, ¡si te he visto no me acuerdo!...

1893, Eduardo Acevedo Díaz, “chapter 27”, in Grito de gloria:

Pensé que tú no eras como los otros que hacen y dicen toda clase de galanterías y después si te he visto no me acuerdo.

2014, Luis Maria Gilly, Romance de Playa:

a phrase used to imply someone going back on their word, or failing to fulfil a promise;


Dios da pan a quien no tiene dientes

Literally, “God gives bread to the toothless”.

cast pearls before swine
cast pearls before swine


a enemigo que huye, puente de plata

/a eneˌmiɡo ke ˌuʝe | ˌpwente de ˈplata/

[a e.neˌmi.ɣ̞o ke ˌu.ʝe | ˌpwẽn̪.t̪e ð̞e ˈpla.t̪a]

/a eneˌmiɡo ke ˌuʃe | ˌpwente de ˈplata/

[a e.neˌmi.ɣ̞o ke ˌu.ʃe | ˌpwẽn̪.t̪e ð̞e ˈpla.t̪a]

/a eneˌmiɡo ke ˌuʒe | ˌpwente de ˈplata/

[a e.neˌmi.ɣ̞o ke ˌu.ʒe | ˌpwẽn̪.t̪e ð̞e ˈpla.t̪a]

Literally, “an enemy who retreats deserves a silver bridge”. This aphorism was commonly used by
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, a Spanish general from the Renaissance.

lit

(idiomatic) good riddance (Used to indicate that a departure, or loss is welcome.)


por el culo te la hinco

(humorous, vulgar) a meaningless phrase said after the number cinco (“five”)


el que se pica, ajos come

quien se pica, ajos come
quien se pica, ajos come

(idiomatic) variant of quien se pica, ajos come


quien se pica, ajos come

The phrase can be translated as if it stings, it must be garlic.

if the shoe fits, wear it
if the shoe fits, wear it


ajo y agua

Euphemistic contraction of a joderse y aguantarse (to suffer and to put up with something). Literally, “garlic and water”.

make one's bed and lie in it
make one's bed and lie in it

(idiomatic) make one's bed and lie in it


head

aprovechando que el Pisuerga pasa por Valladolid

Literally, “taking advantage that the Pisuerga goes through Valladolid”.


para más escarnio

El insomne, para más escarnio de su estúpido existir, negro y hueco como la obscuridad que aquí le rodeaba, tendría esta última noche que velar á la dormida odiosa.

1907, Felipe Trigo, “chapter 19”, in La altísima, part 3:

[…]yo debía de ser el más pobre de los pocos que allí estábamos. Para más escarnio, a mis pelaos no los dejaban entrar.

I must have been the poorest of the few of us that were there. To make matters worse, they didn't let my sprogs in.

to make matters worse
to make matters worse


lo de

Lo de ayer me hace reír

Lo de ir a cenar juntos esta noche es buena idea.

Going to dinner together tonight is a good idea.

Lamento lo de anoche.


pienso, luego existo

I think therefore I am
I think therefore I am


cuando tú vas yo vengo de regreso

been there, done that, got the T-shirt
been there, done that, got the T-shirt

I know what I'm talking about; been there, done that, got the T-shirt


qué es de tu vida

what has become of you?
what has become of you?

what's new?, how's life?, what has become of you?


no hay porqué

Shortened form of "no hay porqué dar las gracias"


head

hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma

speak of the devil and he shall appear
speak of the devil and he shall appear


cuéntame una de vaqueros

(idiomatic, Venezuela) pull the other one


el verbo echar echa la hache por la ventana

Literally, “the verb echar throws the h out of the window”.

m-g

the verb <i class="Latn mention" lang="es">echar</i> throws the h out of the window

lit

a rhyme to remember that the verb echar and its forms are spelled without an h, unlike the verb forms from hacer


que se dice pronto

que se dice pronto, pero cuesta

it's easy to say that, but it's difficult

easier said than done
easier said than done


el año catapum

Y no me vengas ahora, Mario, que papá podrá caerte mejor o peor, pero no es un cualquiera, tú lo sabes, en el ABC desde el año catapum, que no es de hoy.

1974, Miguel Delibes, Cinco horas con Mario., Ediciones Destino, →ISBN, page 179:

And don’t come to me now, Mario, you may like dad better or worse, but he’s not just anybody, you know that, it’s been the ABC since the good days of yesteryear, which aren’t today.

Tenías opiniones muy tajantes respecto a tu ropa ya desde el año catapum.

2016 June 2, Eve Chase, “Ten: Lorna”, in El secreto de Black Rabbit Hall, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial España, →ISBN:

Had very strong opinions about clothes from the year dot you did.

an age long ago, particularly a good one


faltaría más

(idiomatic) don't mention it; you're welcome


todo es ponerse

the first step is always the hardest
the first step is always the hardest


lo que me faltaba

(idiomatic, sarcastic) that's all I needed!


aquí hay tema

(Spain, colloquial) someone could well be in (with a chance of having sex)


aquí estamos

not much; you know; not a lot (vague unenthusiastic reply to ¿cómo estás? or similar question)


q. b. s. m.

Coordinate term: q. b. s. p.

que besa su mano
que besa su mano#Spanish

(archaic) Abbreviation of que besa su mano (“kissing your hand”).


q. b. s. p.

Coordinate term: q. b. s. m.

su más sincero servidor y amigo q. b. s. p.

your sincerest servant and friend (literally, “your sincerest servant and friend who kisses your feet”)

que besa sus pies
que besa sus pies#Spanish

(archaic) Abbreviation of que besa sus pies (“kissing your feet”).


y tal

Había café, pasteles y tal.

(informal) and so on, etc., what have you


no te quepa duda

No te quepa duda de que están metidos en los secuestros y en varios de los dramas delictuales de este país.

2012, Marcela Serrano, Antigua vida mía:


ser la polla

Fuimos a La Floresta, que era la polla, decían que era la ciudad sin ley, pero era un sitio cojonudo.

We went to La Floresta, which was the shit, it was said to be the lawless town, but it was an awesome place.

(Spain, colloquial) to be awesome, extraordinary; to be the shit; to be shit hot


y aquí paz y después gloria

Aflojé los cuartos a condición de que se habían de ir inmediatamente. Y aquí paz y después gloria. Y se acabó mi cuento, niña de mi vida, porque no he vuelto a saber una palabra de aquel respetable tronco, lo que me llena de contento.

1887, Benito Pérez Galdós, Fortunata y Jacinta:

Montaigne dejó escrito que el tal Cocceyo Nerva, ante el estado en que veía Roma, no se lo pensó dos veces y se quitó la vida. Y aquí paz y después gloria.

2023 July 11, Javier Sebastián, “Salvapatrias”, in Heraldo de Aragón:


head

arrieros somos, y en el camino nos encontraremos

Literally, “we are arrieros and on the road we will meet each other”

lit

what goes around comes around
what goes around comes around


no caerá esa breva

one should be so lucky
one should be so lucky


sea como fuere

whatever the case may be
whatever the case may be


toma corte

(Spain, colloquial) bazinga!; in your face!; take that!


quien no te conoce que te compre

-Allá iba... Parece que él fue quien le dio a Caifás...
-Quien no te conoce que te compre -dijo el usurero ficobrigense, guiñando el ojo-. No creo en tales limosnas, aunque ese extranjero debe de ser hombre muy adinerado...

(colloquial) pull the other one; yeah right


qué remedio

what else could have been done; there was no other choice


una mierda

(idiomatic, vulgar) bullshit; yeah right


aceptamos pulpo como animal de compañía

"We'll accept octopus as a pet." From a 1996 advert on Spanish television for Scattergories, in which the owner of the game threatens to take it away if the others don't accept his increasingly more absurd answers (but note that the phrase does not appear in the ad).

(Spain, humorous, idiomatic) anything goes


yo no sabo

⇒ English: no sabo kid

From an incorrect first person singular conjugation of the Spanish verb saber (“to know”).

(humorous) showing or affecting a lack of fluency in the Spanish language


ni modo

(Mexico) too bad; tough luck; it is what it is (used to express acceptance of a misfortune)


que no panda el cúnico

que no cunda el pánico
que no cunda el pánico#Spanish

(humorous) phrase said in a Mexican TV show, whose correct form is que no cunda el pánico (“do not panic”)


entre las calles

Vete mejor entre las calles para saltarte el tráfico.

You had better go down the back streets to avoid traffic.

(idiomatic) taking a longer route, usually driving through residential areas to avoid busy avenues


head

te conozco, bacalao, aunque vengas disfrazado

/te koˌnoθko | bakaˌlao | ˌaunke ˌbenɡas disfɾaˈθado/

[t̪e koˌnoθ.ko | ba.kaˌla.o | ˌãũŋ.ke ˌβ̞ẽŋ.ɡaz ð̞is.fɾaˈθa.ð̞o]

/te koˌnosko | bakaˌlao | ˌaunke ˌbenɡas disfɾaˈsado/

[t̪e koˌnos.ko | ba.kaˌla.o | ˌãũŋ.ke ˌβ̞ẽŋ.ɡaz ð̞is.fɾaˈsa.ð̞o]

Literally, “I know you, cod, although you're in disguise”.

lit

I can see through you; you can't fool me


mucho lerele y poco larala

all talk and no action
all talk and no action


no hay tutía

there's nothing to do about that, you're stuck with it


me lo dices o me lo cuentas

¿me lo dices o me lo cuentas (canonical)


no ni na

From the actual Spanish words "no ni nada".

Yo no he dibujado eso en la pared ― ¡No ni ná, que te he visto!

I didn't draw that on the wall ― Don't lie, I saw you!

(Andalusia) a quick way of showing disbelief in regard to an action someone has negated or answering to an already negative question; yes, it was; yes, you did; actually yes


a poder ser

(fairly uncommon, regional) if possible, ideally


no veas

(Andalusia, slang) oh wow; go on; mm-hmm (A way of showing impression in regards to an anecdote or story someone is telling you.)


quihubo

(Colombia, Mexico) what's up?; what's new?


me piro vampiro

see you later alligator
see you later alligator

(colloquial) I'm out of here; I'm offski; see you later alligator


a llorar a la llorería

Literally, “[go] to cry at the crying-space”


cada hijo de vecino

every Tom, Dick and Harry (anybody or everybody; random or unknown people)


agárramela que me crece

Literally, “stroke it [to me] that it grows”.

(humorous, vulgar) a meaningless phrase said after the number trece (“thirteen”)


quihúbole

(colloquial, Mexico, El Salvador) Alternative spelling of quehúbole


quehúbole

(colloquial, Mexico, El Salvador) what's up?


ha pasado un ángel

a silence crept in; there was a sudden silence


y toda la pesca

Si usted me lo permite, le diré que ese trato y otro peor lo tenían ustedes bien merecido por haber salido a recibirla con palio y largarle luego el Tedéumcon órgano, cantorrio y toda la pesca.

1911, Benito Pérez Galdós, chapter 27, in De Cartago a Sagunto (Episodios Nacionales):

the whole nine yards
the whole nine yards

and the whole nine yards; and all that jazz


a hurto

Inherited from Old Spanish a furto, inherited from Latin fūrtō (“stealthily”) with preposition reinforcing.

Andava don Francisco transformado en su amor y convertido en sombra de su dama, sin perderla de vista, dando los mismos bordos y passeos y valiéndose de ocasiones que, a hurto, dieron lugar de hablarse, y aun tocarse las manos, favor que enloquezía a mi cautivo amigo, no sin gran risa mía

1626, Gonzalo de Céspedes y Meneses, Varia fortuna del soldado Píndaro p. 149, (ed. by Arsenio Pacheco, 1975, Madrid: Espasa-Calpe)

Don Francisco was now going about transformed in love, converted into his lady's shadow not losing sight of her, taking walks in the places and making the most out of times when, in secret, they were able to speak and even join hands, which made my enthralled friend crazy, not without my laughter

No tardó ésta en presentarse; el asesino, preso y convicto, fue en el acto condenado a muerte; el violador resultó ser alemán, y los autores de la exhumación, unos despreciables indígenas que, sin otro objeto que el de hacerse de un anillo de oro, habían, a hurto de las autoridades, cometido aquel torpe desacato.

1882, Vicente Pérez Rosales, Recuerdos del pasado (1814-1860)

The [opportunity] showed up without delay. The murderer, caught and jailed, was immediately sentenced to death. The rapist turned out to be a German man, and the perpetrators of the exhumation were despicable indigenous people who, with no other purpose than gaining a gold ring, had carried out the foolish disrespect in secret [hiding it] from the authorities.


salir de la polla

Haz lo que te salga de la polla.

Oh sure, just go ahead and do as you fucking please.

No me sale de la polla trabajar mañana.

(Spain, vulgar) to feel like doing something, to do as one pleases


para luego es tarde

no time like the present
no time like the present


quién lo diría

who would have known
who would have known

who would have thunk it
who would have thunk it

who would have known; who would have thunk it


salir de los cojones

salir de la polla
salir de la polla#Spanish

(Spain, vulgar) Synonym of salir de la polla (“to feel like doing something”)


verdad es que

it may be true that; it may be the case that


a que sí

Es un encanto, ¿a que sí?

(in questions) isn't it?; right?; don't you agree? (a tag question)

I bet that it is!; yes it is!; yes it will!; damn straight!; hell yeah!


la bolsa o la vida

your money or your life
your money or your life


y pare usted de contar

and a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree

and a partridge in a pear tree; and whatnot


vaya tela

Leonard Cohen, por ejemplo, hay un momento en el que se mira a sí mismo y dice: 'Hostia puta, macho, vaya tela".

2017 February 6, Guillermo Arenas, “Antonna se flagela en su nuevo disco sin Los Punsetes”, in El País, Madrid, →ISSN:


la pelota está en el tejado

Literally, “the ball is on the roof”, implying that it could fall down on either side.


la pelota está en el tejado de alguien

desc

→ Catalan: la pilota és a la teulada d'algú (calque)

Literally, “the ball is on someone's roof”, from a conflation of the earlier phrase la pelota está en el tejado (literally “the ball is on the roof”) with English the ball is in someone's court.

lit

Les propusimos la redacción Andaluza porque pasó todos los filtros de legalidad. Ahora la pelota está en su tejado.

2010 February 26, María Fernández, quoting Gaspar Zarrías, “La pelota está en su tejado”, in El País, Madrid, →ISSN:

“La pelota está en su tejado”, ha dicho este lunes por la tarde Theresa May a los líderes europeos.

2017 October 10, Pablo Guimón, quoting Theresa May, “May advierte a Europa: “La pelota está en su tejado””, in El País, Madrid, →ISSN:

the ball is in someone's court
the ball is in someone's court

(idiomatic) the ball is in someone's court


monto un circo y me crecen los enanos

Literally, "I set up a circus and [then] the midgets grow"

Discúlpame. Es que llevo una racha muy mala. Monto un circo y me crecen los enanos.

2021, Enrique González de Andrés, Donde las estrellas no alcanzan:

it never rains but it pours
it never rains but it pours


me cago en mi manto

Pero, bueno, qué pasa con los sexagenarios (yo y mis amigos pasamos de sesenta). ¿Acaso hay que tirarnos al contenedor de basuras? Me cago en mi manto, pero si el probable autor del insulto también pasa de los sesenta... y bastante, además.

2011 January 25, Manuel Muñoz Redondo, “Culebrón Cascos: llanto por Asturies”, in La Nueva España:

¿Sabina está de resaca? Cierre de colegios. ¿Florentino tiene mocos? Cierre de colegios. ¿Villacís atrapada en una lámpara de rayos uva? Cierre de colegios. Todo abierto menos los colegios. Me cago en mi manto.

2021 January 14, Carlos Prieto, “Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo: una semana en el círculo polar de Madrid”, in El Confidencial:

[…]así que, me cago en mi manto, Delmiro, voy a bajar a la boda, aunque sea lo último que haga en esta puta vida.

2023, Fulgencio Argüelles, Noches de luna rota:

me cago en la leche
me cago en la leche#Spanish


yo qué sé

Es que, tú imagínate, cuando empecé, decirle a mi familia, yo qué sé, que iba a grabar un vídeo en tanga. ¡Imagínate esas comidas familiares!

2021 September 16, Leticia García, “Bad Gyal: "La ropa es la herramienta que me permite tener la actitud que quiero, es el modo de expresar mi personalidad"”, in El País:

La sirenita es negra, es verde, es azul, es roja, Yo que sé^([sic]), que más da… Es Ariel, es el cuento.

2022 October 22, Julio Delgado, “Javier Bardem: “Es la primera vez que veo una película mía en el cine con mis hijos””, in El País:


tá bien

(informal, colloquial) Clipping of está bien.


sabe Dios

¡Me cago en la leche que te han dado, zorra! ¡Ya estas largando lo que sabes, porque sabe dios que si no lo haces, te mato aquí mismo como la perra que eres!

2020, Alejandro Otegui, El hombre sin nombre:


qué se le va a hacer

Una opina que aquello no está bien
La otra opina que qué se le va a hacer
Y lo que opinen los demás está de más

1986, Mecano (lyrics and music), “Mujer contra mujer”:


a la chingada

(Mexico, vulgar) screw this; to hell with...


a que no

A que no eres capaz de hacerle reír


menos lobos

menos lobos, Caperucita
menos lobos, Caperucita#Spanish


agárrate que vienen curvas

hold onto your hat; brace yourself; hang on tight


si mal no recuerdo

if I'm not mistaken; if my memory doesn't fail me


no tiene caso

No tiene caso que lo esperes.


menos da una piedra

it's better than nothing; it could have been worse


me cago en la leche que te han dado

Literally, “I shit in the milk you have been given”.

lit

Holy fucking Christ, slut! You're gonna spout off everything you know, because if you don't then, goddamit, I'm gonna kill you here on the spot, like the bitch you are.


que me maten

cross my heart and hope to die
cross my heart and hope to die


algo es algo

something is better than nothing
something is better than nothing


hasta los ojos

up to one's eyeballs
up to one's eyeballs


entre bobos anda el juego

(ironic) they're well-suited; they're both as bad as the other


ven acá

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: come here.


cada mochuelo a su olivo

it's time for everyone to go to their own home


si me apuras

(idiomatic) even; to be honest; actually


hotel Camarena

A word play joining cama (“bed”) + arena (“sand”), which sounds like Spanish surname Camarena (having an unrelated origin), referring to sleep in the beach sand, because of a low budget travel to the beach (originally from Mexico City to Acapulco).

(humorous, Mexico) the beach sand, used as a bed to sleep, or spend the night in a reunion, get-together, meeting, etc.


que ya es decir

that's saying something
that's saying something


juro a Dios

I swear to God (used when making an oath)


con mil diablos

(dated) for the love of God; for Christ's sake


o todos en el suelo, o todos en la cama

/o ˌtodos en el ˌswelo | o ˌtodos en la ˈkama/

[o ˌt̪o.ð̞os ẽn el ˌswe.lo | o ˌt̪o.ð̞os ẽn la ˈka.ma]

Literally, “either everyone on the floor, or everyone in bed”.

lit

everyone should receive the same or be held by the same standard


ni mucho menos

not even close; far from it; by a long shot


vamos al caso

get down to business
get down to business


vete y jódete

Y yo digo "¡vete y jódete!"

(vulgar, offensive) go fuck yourself, get fucked, fuck you, fuck off


hay que amolarse

hay que fastidiarse
hay que fastidiarse#Spanish


que es para hoy

step on it!; get a move on!; no dilly-dallying!


tengamos la fiesta en paz

Literally, "let's have this party in peace"

everybody keep cool!; everyone stay cool!; let's not let this get out of hand!


ese es el cuento

therein lies the rub
therein lies the rub


como si fuera poco

(idiomatic) to top it off, on top of that


y que lo digas

you can say that again
you can say that again


cuál es su nombre

cuál (“what”) + es (“is”) + su (“your”) + nombre (“name”).


el remedio es peor que la enfermedad

es peor el remedio que la enfermedad#Spanish

Alternative form of es peor el remedio que la enfermedad


mi casa es vuestra casa

Literally, “my house is your (pl.) house”.

make yourselves at home
make yourselves at home

(informal, to multiple people) make yourselves at home


carros por puestos

1985, Empresa Brasileira de Transportes Urbanos, Vehículos por puesto en el transporte urbano de Caracas
Explica la evolución del servicio de carros por puesto y las medidas dictadas por las autoridades para adaptarlo a su concepto de las necesidades de la ciudad y de sus habitantes.

He explains the development of the per-seat transport service and the measures dictated by authorities to adapt it to their concept of the needs of the city and its inhabitants.

Transport service, often informal, in Latin America where payment is normally made per seat.


el diablo está en los detalles

the devil is in the details
the devil is in the details


pito, pito, gorgorito

eeny, meeny, miny, moe
eeny, meeny, miny, moe


todo cae por su propio peso

what goes around comes around
what goes around comes around


ay ve vos

[ˌai̯ ˌβ̞e ˈβ̞os]

From ahí (“there; eventually”) + ve (“see”) + vos (“you (singular)”), literally, "there you see [for yourself]".

—¿Quieres pedir pizza? —¡Ay ve vos!

"Do you want to order pizza?" "Up to you!"

¿Cómo se origina su embarazo? ¿Ha planificado ud.?
 Si después de lo que le conté lo de la Vanesa, yo dije, voy a planificar mejor, le dije yo, y él me dijo ay ve vos.

2016, Rosa Elena Aguilar de Martínez, Factores psicosociales que inciden en el estado emocional de las adolescentes en control prenatal en la Unidad de Salud de cantón El Platanar, municipio de Moncagua, departamento de San Miguel; durante el año 2016, page 122:

After what I told you about Vanesa, I said [to myself], "I will plan better." I told him, and he told me, "It's up to you."

(colloquial, El Salvador) it's up to you


qué pedo

(vulgar, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador) what's up? (A casual greeting)


sabrá Dios

Yo no pertenezco a ninguna institucion solo tengo y siento un gran deseo de ayudar. Espero poder contar con ustedes, gracias anticipadas, sabra DIOS cuantas vidas salvaremos juntos ustedes y yo.

1990 August 18, Carlos Santaella J.R, “SIDA Un Esfuerzo Mundial Lo Vencera [AIDS: A Worldwide Effort Will Defeat It]”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 6, page 4:

I don't belong to any organization, I only have and feel a great desire to help. I hope I can count on you, thanks in advance, God knows how many lives we'll save together you and I.


como Dios manda

Intento volver a dormir, pero no puedo, tengo la extraña desazón que queda después de una pesadilla, debo dejar el desasosiego e intentarlo, debo relajarme, no estamos en 1958, sino a 21 de junio de 1998. España va como Dios manda, España va bien.

1998 June 28, “Como Dios manda”, in El País, Madrid, →ISSN:

as God intended, (colloquial) exactly as required, properly


está pariendo la venada

devil's beating his wife
devil's beating his wife

(Mexico, El Salvador) Said when it rains while the sun is shining; that is, when a sun shower occurs.: devil's beating his wife


ya veremos, dijo el ciego

[ˌɟ͡ʝa β̞eˌɾe.mos | ˌd̪i.xo el̟ ˈθje.ɣ̞o]

[ˌɟ͡ʝa β̞eˌɾe.mos | ˌd̪i.xo el ˈsje.ɣ̞o]

Literally, “we'll see, said the blind man”.

(idiomatic, often humorous) Used to express skepticism or uncertainty about something


plata o plomo

plata (“silver, money”) + o (“or”) + plomo (“lead”)

your money or your life
your money or your life


te jodes como Herodes

suck it up, buttercup
suck it up, buttercup

(colloquial) get over it!; suck it up, buttercup


con la cola entre las patas

with one's tail between one's legs
with one's tail between one's legs


pelillos a la mar

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones


malir sal

From a hyperthesis of salir mal (“to go wrong”).

hyperthesis

Nada puede malir sal, ¿verdad?

(chiefly humorous) Deliberate misspelling of salir mal. (go wrong)


en fin, la hipotenusa

From the literal phrase en fin, la hipocresía (“in short, the hypocrisy”), with hipotenusa (“hypotenuse”) being a deliberate mispelling of hipocresía.

Esa gente que dice ser fan de Pokemon pero no se fugó de casa a los 10 como Ash... En fin la hipotenusa.

2016 July 17, @Takox, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-08-26:

Pasé mucho tiempo con mi amiga Jessi, que es como una hermana para mí. La conocí porque me donaba suscriptores (mucho dinero) en Twitch, la capulla, y ahora está hasta los cojones de mí y de que le hable de tíos todos los días. Cómo te quiero, tía, te echo de menos. Vive en Murcia, la tía, dime tú quién coño vive en Murcia. Si no existe. En fin, la hipotenusa.

2021 November 5, Espe Borras, Estoy Aquí, Alfaguara, page 164:

(Internet slang, humorous) Used as a stand-alone response or at the end of a sentence to indicate a hypocritical statement.