Want to be fluent in Spanish like locals? Explore Spanish idiomatic expressions and understand the common Spanish idioms used in day to day language.
These expressions, brimming with figurative meaning, reveal the rich cultural narrative. As we explore popular Spanish idioms, we’re not just memorizing phrases, but absorbing the essence of Spanish culture, from Latin America to Spain.
This journey through the most common Spanish idioms will enhance your Spanish vocabulary and language skills. It will also give you insights into the way native Spanish speakers communicate.
Whether it’s understanding the literal translation of “darle la vuelta a la tortilla” or the playful intent behind “tomar el pelo“, each idiom offers a unique window into everyday life.
For learners and Spanish teachers alike, these idioms are not just phrases but gateways to speaking Spanish more authentically and connecting with others in a meaningful way.
Join me on this exciting path of learning Spanish idioms, enriching your linguistic journey with every step.
What are Spanish idioms?
Idioms are idiomatic expressions used in informal conversations. The actual meaning of these idioms is not always so clear when hearing them for the first time. That is because they cannot just be reduced to the words that make them up.
The context, and the complete sentence, must also be taken into account.
The origin of many spanish idioms does not have a specific date, as these expressions have been passed down from generation to generation over the years.
That is why they have a special place in the Spanish language and vary according to cultural identity in each territory. Not all Spanish-speaking countries use the same idioms.
You Must Learn Spanish Idioms to Speak like a Native
The main reason to integrate idioms into your language learning process is that they are constantly used in informal language. You will be exposed to these expressions in your day-to-day life whilst being in the country and talking to the locals.
Idioms simplify speech in the Spanish language, helping to creatively summarize an idea.
The variety of idioms that exist are endless, you don’t need to learn them all, but you should familiarize yourself with the most used ones.
So let’s not beat around the bush! Here is a list of the 5 chosen by Spanish Express for you
Understand the Literal Meaning and Usage of Some Common Spanish Idioms
1. Más vale tarde que nunca
This first Spanish idiom we bring to you today is known in the English language as “better late than never“, so you are probably already familiar with its meaning.
“Más vale tarde que nunca” is used in the Spanish language to express that it is preferable to do something after the planned time, rather than never doing it.
It can be applied to situations in which you arrive late to a meeting with your friends where they are waiting for you, or when finishing a project that took a long time to complete.
2. No hay mal que dure cien años
This Spanish idiom may be one of the most famous in all Spanish-speaking countries. There is even a song dedicated to this well-known phrase!
Perhaps it is the message of hope behind its meaning that makes it so well known. “No hay mal que dure cien años” is referring to the fact that there is no difficult situation from which one cannot get out. There is always a chance for a new beginning after experiencing a bad moment.
Its closest English translation would be “even the longest night comes to an end” and is implemented to encourage people in times of adversity.
3. Mas vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando
I’m sure that reading this phrase has created some confusion, but no worries! Even for Spanish native speakers, it’s sometimes hard to find the real meaning behind these common idioms.
Let’s help you a little with the translation: “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush“. It’s clearer now, isn’t it?
“Mas vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando” means that it is much better to stick to secure plans rather than choosing those that are uncertain.
It is a great phrase to advise a close friend or family member who comes to you for advice.
4. Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres
Although it’s nothing like its translation, “when in Rome, do as the Romans“, the context and meaning and symbolic expressions are essentially the same.
“Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres” tells us that whatever place, country, or city we are in, we should follow their rules and respect their culture.
If you have moved to a new country, this will be the time to put this idiom into practice. You can also use it to advise your friends.
Respecting the habits, laws, and customs of a new country opens your mind to new experiences and helps you in your adaptation process.
5. Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente
Here we will leave the English equivalent for the end. You can only really enjoy this Spanish idiom if you know Spanish very well because its translation makes it lose all its charm.
“Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente” refers to the outcomes that laziness can have in our lives. Postponing the things we should do and not doing them at the right time brings consequences to our studies, work, relationships, among other situations.
So always keep in mind that if you snooze, you lose.
6. El mundo es un pañuelo
Literally translating to “the world is a handkerchief,” this idiom conveys the idea that the world is much smaller than we think.
It’s often used when you unexpectedly run into someone you know in an unlikely place. It’s similar to the English saying, “it’s a small world.”
Imagine bumping into an old school friend in a different country – that’s a perfect moment to use “El mundo es un pañuelo.”
7. Estar en las nubes
This idiom translates to “to be in the clouds,” and is used when someone is daydreaming or not paying attention to what’s happening around them.
It’s akin to the English phrase “to have your head in the clouds.”
For instance, if someone is lost in thought during a meeting and misses important information, you could say: “Está en las nubes.”
8. Tirar la casa por la ventana
This phrase means “to spare no expense” or “to go all out.”
It’s used when someone spends a lot of money on a celebration or event. The English equivalent might be “to pull out all the stops.”
For example, if someone throws a lavish party with no expense spared, they are “Tirando la casa por la ventana.”
9. No todo lo que brilla es oro
The literal translation is “not everything that glitters is gold,” which is actually the same as the English saying.
This idiom is used to express that not everything that looks good on the outside is valuable or true.
It’s a reminder to look deeper than the surface. You might use it when someone is excited about a seemingly great opportunity that may have hidden drawbacks.
10. Dar en el clavo
Translating to “to hit the nail on the head”, this idiom is used when someone gets something exactly right or finds the perfect solution to a problem. It’s used in the same way as the English phrase with the same meaning. For example, if someone makes a suggestion that perfectly solves a problem, they have “Dado en el clavo.”
11. Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda
This Spanish idiom translates to “although the monkey dresses in silk, it’s still a monkey.”
It implies that external appearances cannot change one’s true nature. It’s similar to the English saying, “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”
This is typically used to suggest that trying to appear or act differently from one’s true nature is futile.
12. Echar leña al fuego
Literally meaning “to add fuel to the fire,” this idiom is used when someone makes a bad situation worse, usually by saying or doing something unnecessary or provocative.
It’s equivalent to the English phrase with the same meaning.
For instance, if during an argument, someone brings up a sensitive topic, they are “Echando leña al fuego.”
13. Estar entre la espada y la pared
This translates to “to be between the sword and the wall,” and is used when someone is in a difficult situation facing two undesirable options.
It’s similar to the English saying “between a rock and a hard place.”
If you have to choose between two bad alternatives, you are “Entre la espada y la pared.”
14. Meter la pata
The literal translation is “to put the foot in,” which means to make a blunder or say something inappropriate.
It’s akin to the English phrase “to put your foot in your mouth.”
For example, if someone accidentally says something that offends or embarrasses others, they have “Metido la pata.”
15. Ser pan comido
This phrase literally means “to be eaten bread,” which is used to describe something that is very easy or simple to do.
It’s similar to the English idiom “a piece of cake.”
For instance, if a task is very easy to accomplish, you might say it’s “Pan comido.”
16. Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo
This idiom translates to “the devil knows more for being old than for being the devil.”
It suggests that wisdom comes with age and experience rather than innate cunning or intelligence. It’s akin to saying that older people are wiser due to their life experiences.
Use this when you want to acknowledge the value of experience over youth.
17. Buscarle tres pies al gato
Literally meaning “to look for three feet on a cat,” this phrase is used when someone is complicating a situation or problem unnecessarily, similar to the English idiom “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
It’s often said about someone who is creating problems where there are none.
18. Ser uña y carne
Translating to “to be nail and flesh,” this idiom describes two people who are very close or inseparable, similar to the English phrase “thick as thieves.”
It’s used to describe a strong bond between friends or companions. When two people are always seen together, they are “uña y carne.”
19. Estar como una cabra
This means “to be like a goat” and is used to describe someone who is acting crazy or eccentric. The English equivalent might be “to be nuts” or “off one’s rocker.”
If someone is behaving in a strange or unusual way, you might say they are “como una cabra.”
20. Hablar por los codos
Literally, this translates to “to talk through the elbows,” but it’s used to describe someone who talks a lot or is very chatty.
The English equivalent would be “to talk someone’s ear off.” This is often used when someone goes on and on without stopping.
21. Cortar el bacalao
This idiom literally translates to “to cut the codfish,” but it’s used to describe someone who is in charge or calls the shots. Similar to the English phrase “to call the shots.”
It’s often used in situations where someone is clearly the decision-maker. For example, if a boss is making all the important decisions in a company, they are the one “Cortando el bacalao.”
22. Llover sobre mojado
Literally meaning “to rain on wet,” this phrase is used when a bad situation is made worse by additional problems, akin to the English saying “when it rains, it pours.”
For instance, if someone has a series of unfortunate events happening one after the other, you could say it’s “Lloviendo sobre mojado.”
23. Sacar los trapos sucios
Translating to “to take out the dirty rags,” this idiom is used when someone reveals secrets or private matters in public. It’s similar to the English expression “to air dirty laundry.”
If a person is discussing private issues in a public setting, especially to embarrass someone, they are “Sacando los trapos sucios.”
24. Ser el ojo derecho
This means “to be the right eye,” and is used to describe a person who is very dear or important to someone, similar to being the “apple of one’s eye” in English.
It’s used to express affection or importance. For instance, if a child is very precious to their parents, the child is “el ojo derecho” of them.
25. Tener un humor de perros
Literally, this translates to “to have the mood of dogs,” but it’s used to describe someone who is in a very bad mood. Comparable to the English phrase “to be in a foul mood.”
If someone is particularly irritable or grouchy, you might say they have “un humor de perros.”
26. Pelos en la lengua
When a native Spanish speaker says someone has “Pelos en la lengua,” they’re describing a person who’s unafraid to speak their mind.
This phrase, translating to “hairs on the tongue,” denotes frankness and the tendency not to mince words, a quality often admired in conversations.
27. Echar agua al mar
The idiom “Echar agua al mar,” literally meaning “to throw water into the sea,” is used to describe an action that is utterly pointless.
It’s akin to doing something redundant, a concept familiar to speakers in many languages, including English.
28. Darle la vuelta a la tortilla
In the realm of Spanish idioms, “La tortilla” often refers to change or reversal, as seen in “darle la vuelta a la tortilla” (to turn the tortilla over).
This phrase embodies the adaptability and dynamic nature of cultural identity in the Spanish-speaking world.
29. Ser pan comido
An idiom that makes learning Spanish delightful, “Ser pan comido,” literally means “to be eaten bread,” akin to “a piece of cake” in English.
It’s commonly used to describe something very easy or straightforward, enhancing the charm of everyday conversations.
30. Estar como una cabra
“Estar como una cabra” literally means “to be like a goat” and is humorously used to describe someone acting in a crazy or eccentric manner.
This idiom reflects the playful side of language and is equivalent to saying someone is “nuts” in English.
31. Tener pelos en la lengua
Part of the broader phrase “tener pelos en la lengua,” this idiom is about speaking one’s mind boldly and without hesitation.
It’s a celebration of directness and honesty in communication, valued traits in many Spanish-speaking communities.
32. No ver tres en un burro
Idioms such as “No ver tres en un burro,” which means “not seeing three on a donkey,” are used when a person sees absolutely nothing. En English: to be as blind as a bat.
Would you like to know its origin? In the early 20th century, a campaign in rural Andalusia aimed to identify vision issues among the illiterate population, posing challenges for ophthalmologists using conventional charts to measure diopters.
To overcome this obstacle, they turned to familiar images, drawings, and photographs that people could readily interpret. One such image featured three individuals riding a donkey. Quite interesting, isn’t it?
33. La gallina de los huevos de oro
An idiom deeply embedded in Spanish culture, “La gallina de los huevos de oro,” or “the hen that lays golden eggs,” speaks to themes of opportunity and the perils of greed.
It parallels the English idiom and offers a window into the symbolic expressions prevalent in Spanish.
34. Gato por liebre
The idiom “Gato por liebre” translating to “cat for hare,” is used to describe deception or a bait-and-switch tactic.
It’s a phrase commonly heard in Spanish-speaking regions, warning of situations where things are not as they seem.
35. Tiene más lana
In Spanish, when someone says “tiene más lana,” they are referring to a person who is quite wealthy or affluent.
This idiom, literally translating to “has more wool,” equates wool with wealth, highlighting a creative linguistic twist.
It’s a common way to comment on someone’s financial status and is akin to saying someone “is loaded” in English.
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