Just like any other language, Spanish has phrases that, literally translated, will leave you in a state of quandary. This appendix lists some of the idioms, expressions, and common phrases found in everyday Spanish—you might be surprised to find out that many have a direct counterpart in English. Where appropriate, a sample sentence has been provided for better understanding.
A buen hambre no hay pan duro.
Literally: For good hunger there is no hard bread.
Meaning: Anything tastes good when you're hungry.
No te gustó la cena, pero te comiste todo; a buen hambre no hay pan duro.
You didn't like the meal, but ate everything; anything tastes good when you're hungry.
A causa de
Literally: As a cause of
Meaning: on account of
La fiesta se canceló a causa de un inesperado viaje.
The party was canceled on account of an unexpected trip.
A ciegas
Literally: At blind
Meaning: Blindly
Caminar en una noche tan oscura es igual que caminar a ciegas.
Walking on such a dark night is the same as walking blindly.
A ciencia cierta
Literally: At certain science
Meaning: With certainty
El maestro presenta la materia a ciencia cierta.
The teacher presents the topic with certainty.
A crédito
Literally: At credit
Meaning: On credit
Voy a comprar a crédito mi coche nuevo.
I'm going to buy my new car on credit.
A donde fueras, haz lo que vieras.
Literally: Wherever you go, do what you see.
Meaning: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Que tengas un buen viaje, y recuerda que donde fueras haz lo que vieras.
Have a good trip, and remember: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
A escondidas de
Literally: Hiding from
Meaning: Without the knowledge of
Los novios se veían a escondidas de sus padres.
The couple saw each other without the knowledge of their parents.
A espaldas
Literally: At backs
Meaning: Behind one's back
El joven habló muy mal a espaldas de su amigo.
The young man spoke ill of his best friend behind his back.
A la carrera
Literally: To the race
Meaning: In haste, or hastily
Estoy de prisa y voy a tener que comer a la carrera.
I'm in a hurry and will have to eat hastily.
A la moda
Literally: At the fashion
Meaning: In the latest fashion Ella siempre está a la moda. She is always dressed at the latest fashion.
Al lado de
Literally: Next to
Meaning: Beside
Las dos jóvenes siempre se sientan una a lado de la otra.
The two young girls always sit beside each other.
A menudo
Literally: At often
Meaning: often, frequently
Hay gente que viene a este restaurante muy a menudo.
There are people who come to this restaurant very frequently.
A mi entender
Literally: To my understanding
Meaning: As I understand
A mi entender, la crisis fue solamente una exageración.
As I understand, the crisis was just an exaggeration.
A mi modo de ver
Literally: To my way of seeing
Meaning: In my opinion
A mi modo de ver, la comedia no fue muy buena.
In my opinion, the comedy was not very good.
A ojos cerrados
Literally: At closed eyes
Meaning: Blindly
Ella se dejó llevar por sus amigas a ojos cerrados.
She allowed her friends to guide her blindly.
A ojos vistos
Literally: At seeing eyes
Meaning: Visibly, clearly
En la noche las estrellas se ven a ojos vistos.
At night you can see the stars clearly.
A otro perro con ese hueso.
Literally: To another dog with that bone.
Meaning: You're pulling my leg; I'm not that naïve.
No creo en tu excusa por haber llegado tarde. A otro perro con ese hueso.
I don't believe your excuse for being late. I am not that naïve.
A perder
Literally: To lose
Meaning: To spoil
La cena se va echar a perder si se queda mucho tiempo fuera.
The meal will spoil if it's left out for too long.
A pesar de que
Literally: Despite that
Meaning: In spite of the fact that, despite, even though
A pesar de que salí una hora antes de casa, todavía llegué tarde al trabajo.
Even though I left the house an hour earlier, I still arrived at work late.
A punto fijo
Literally: At a fixed point
Meaning: With certainty
El reportero habló a punto fijo.
The reporter spoke with certainty.
A ratos
Literally: At small periods of time
Meaning: From time to time, at times
A ratos se siente bien, a ratos no.
At times she feels fine, at other times she does not.
A toda hora
Literally: At all hours
Meaning: At all times
La farmacia está abierta a toda hora.
The pharmacy is open at all times.
A todo correr
Literally: At all run
Meaning: At full speed
Salió a todo correr para alcanzar al autobús.
He left at full speed to catch the bus.
A vistas
Literally: At sights
Meaning: On approval, with approval
Fue recibido a vistas buenas.
He was greeted with approval.
A vuelta de correo
Literally: At turn of mail
Meaning: By return mail
Su respuesta vendrá a vuelta de correo.
His response will arrive by return mail.
Ahora mismo
Literally: Now itself
Meaning: Right now
Necesito salir ahora mismo.
I need to leave right now.
Ahora que hay modo.
Literally: Now that there is a way or mood.
Meaning: Make hay while the sun shines.
Trabajo fuerte ahora que hay modo.
I work hard, seizing the opportunity.
Al contrario
Literally: To the contrary
Meaning: To the contrary
Al contrario, yo gané la apuesta.
To the contrary, I won the bet.
Al escape
Literally: At escape
Meaning: Rapidly or quickly
Tuve que salir al escape de la casa.
I had to leave the house quickly.
Al fin
Literally: At the end
Meaning: At last
Al fin se compró un carro nuevo.
At last he bought himself a new car.
Al final de
Literally: At the end of
Meaning: Finally, at the end of
Viene cansado al final de una jornada muy larga.
He arrives tired at the end of a long day's journey.
Al hierro caliente batir de repente.
Literally: The hot iron must be beaten at once.
Meaning: Strike while the iron's hot.
Pide un buen aumento, al hierro caliente batir de repente.
Ask for a good raise, strike while the iron is hot.
Al menos
Literally: At less
Meaning: At least
Al menos pide un nuevo uniforme.
At least ask for a new uniform.
Al pie de la letra
Literally: At the foot of the letter
Meaning: literally, to the letter
El juez aplica la ley al pie de la letra.
The judge applies the law literally to the letter.
Al sereno
Literally: At serene
Meaning: In the night air
Me gusta caminar al sereno.
I like to walk in the night air.
Algunas veces
Literally: Some times
Meaning: Sometimes
Algunas veces desayuno en ese restaurante.
Sometimes I have breakfast in that restaurant.
Ante todo
Literally: Before all
Meaning: Above all
Ante todo, sigo creyendo que ella no es culpable.
Above all, I continue to believe that she is not guilty.
Antes de que
Literally: Before of that
Meaning: Before
Antes de que vengan los invitados, me voy a cambiar de ropa.
I'm going to change clothes before the guests arrive.
Antes de que te cases, mira lo que haces.
Literally: Before you marry, look what you're doing.
Meaning: Look before you leap.
No seas muy impulsivo, antes de que te cases mira lo que haces.
Don't be so impulsive, look before you leap.
Así así
Literally: Thus-thus
Meaning: So-so
Estoy así así.
I am just so-so.
A pesar de
Literally: On the weight of
Meaning: In spite of, even so, anyhow
A pesar de los problemas seguimos luchando diariamente.
In spite of all the problems, we continue our daily struggles.
Atrás de
Literally: Behind the
Meaning: Behind
Siempre se queda atrás de los demás.
She always falls behind the rest.
Incluso cuando
Literally: Even when
Meaning: Even though
Incluso cuando tenía un paraguas me mojé.
Even though I had an umbrella, I still got wet.
Baja el/la radio.
Literally: Lower the radio.
Meaning: Turn the radio down.
Baja el/la radio, que me estás poniendo sordo.
Turn the radio down, you're making me deaf.
Beben agua en el mismo jarrito.
Literally: They drink water from the same little jug.
Meaning: They're as thick as thieves.
No te confíes de esos individuos, ellos beben agua en el mismo jar- rito.
Don't trust those individuals, they are as thick as thieves.
Beber a pulso
Literally: To drink at pulse
Meaning: To gulp down
Estaba tan sediento que se bebió a pulso la botella entera de cerveza.
He was so thirsty that he gulped down the entire bottle of beer.
Cada perico a su estaca, cada changa a su mecate.
Literally: Each parrot on its perch, each monkey on its rope.
Meaning: To each his own.
No me gusta la gente con la que anda, pero cada perico a su estaca, cada changa a su mecate.
I don't like the company he keeps, but to each his own.
Cada quien tiene su manera de matar pulgas.
Literally: Each has his way to kill fleas.
Meaning: There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Yo no lo haría así, pero sí, cada quien tiene su manera de matar pulgas.
I wouldn't do it that way, but, yes, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
Cada uno
Literally: Every one
Meaning: Apiece, each one
La recompensa será de cien dólares cada uno.
The reward will be one hundred dollars apiece.
Caer en cama
Literally: To fall in bed
Meaning: To fall ill, to get sick
Me dieron escalofríos y caí en cama.
I had chills and ended up ill.
¡Cállate la boca!
Literally: Shut your mouth!
Meaning: Shut up!
¡Cállate la boca si no sabes lo que dices!
If you don't know what you are saying, shut up!
Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.
Literally: The shrimp that falls asleep will be carried away by the current.
Meaning: You snooze, you lose.
¡Despierta ya! Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.
Wake up already! You snooze, you lose.
Caras vemos, corazones no sabemos.
Literally: Faces we see, hearts we don't know.
Meaning: You can't judge a book by its cover.
No te dejes llevar por las apariencias. Caras vemos, corazones no sabemos.
Don't go by appearances, you can't judge a book by its cover.
Carne de gallina
Literally: Flesh of a hen
Meaning: Goose bumps
De pronto sentí tanto frío que la piel se me pusó como carne de gallina.
Suddenly it became so cold that I got goose bumps.
Casa de locos
Literally: House of crazy people
Meaning: Insane asylum, nut house
¿Por qué hay tanto desorden? Parece una casa de locos.
Why is there such disarray? It looks like a nut house.
Claro como el agua de Xochimilco
Literally: Clear as the water of Xochimilco
Meaning: Clear as mud
Veo todo tan claro como el agua de Xochimilco.
I see everything clear as mud.
Comer frijoles y repetir pollo
Literally: To eat beans and belch chicken
Meaning: His bark is mightier than his bite.
Grita fuerte, pero come frijoles y repite pollo.
He screams loud, but his bark is mightier than his bite.
Como el burro que tocó la flauta
Literally: Like the donkey that played the flute
Meaning: By a stroke of luck
Como el burro que tocó la flauta, nadie sufrió una herida en el accidente.
By a stroke of luck no one was injured in the accident.
Como quitarle un pelo a un gato
Literally: Like pulling a hair from a cat
Meaning: Like a drop in the bucket
Encontrar un nuevo trabajo se le hizo como quitarle un pelo a un gato.
Finding a new job became like catching a drop in the bucket.
Como si
Literally: As if
Meaning: As if
Salió como si fuera perseguido por alguien.
He left as if someone was following him.
Como último recurso
Literally: As a last resort
Meaning: As a last resort
Como último recurso, acudió a las autoridades.
She went to the authorities as a last resort.
Con anticipación
Literally: With anticipation
Meaning: In advance
Pagó su cuenta con anticipación a la fecha en la que tenía que ser pagada.
She paid her bill in advance to the due date.
Con estos bueyes hay que arar.
Literally: With these oxen one must plough.
Meaning: One must make do with what one has.
Si no tienes más, con estos bueyes hay que arar.
If you have nothing else, make do with what you have.
¡Con razón!
Literally: With reason!
Meaning: No wonder!
¡Con razón que no tengo dinero, tengo un agujero en el bolsillo!
No wonder I don't have any money, there is a hole in my pocket!
Cumplir su palabra
Literally: To fulfill one's word
Meaning: To keep one's word
Ella hace lo que sea con tal de cumplir su palabra.
She does whatever it takes to keep her word.
Dar la suave a uno
Literally: To give the smooth to someone
Meaning: To polish the apple
Algún motivo trae para dar la suave a uno.
He must have a motive to try to polish the apple.
Darle lástima
Literally: To give him/hersef pity
Meaning: To pity
A todo el mundo le da lástima ver niños abandonados.
Everyone has pity on seeing abandoned children.
Darle un beso a la botella
Literally: To give the bottle a kiss
Meaning: To take a swig
Olvida las penas y dale un beso a la botella.
Forget your sorrows and take a swig.
De la subida más alta es la caída más lastimosa.
Literally: Of the highest rise, the shortest fall.
Meaning: The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
No tengas miedo. Recuerda que de la subida más alta es la caída más lastimosa.
Don't be afraid. Remember that the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
De sol a sol
Literally: From sun to sun
Meaning: Sunrise to sunset
El campesino trabaja de sol a sol para alimentar a su familia.
The farmer works from sunrise to sunset to feed his family.
De lo suyo; lo suyo
Literally: Of his
Meaning: By nature, his thing
Andar en bicicleta es lo suyo.
Riding bicycles is his nature.
De tal palo, tal astilla
Literally: From such a log such chips
Meaning: A chip off the old block
Se ve que va a ser muy famoso; de tal palo tal astilla.
You can see that he will be very famous; a chip off the old block.
De todos modos
Literally: Of all ways
Meaning: At any rate
De todos modos, ella no quería ir.
At any rate, she did not want to go.
De un golpe
Literally: Of one blow
Meaning: All at once
Robaron el banco de un golpe.
They robbed the bank all at once.
Dentro de poco
Literally: Inside of little
Meaning: In a little while
Dentro de poco tengo que ir al trabajo.
I have to go to work in a little while.
Desayunar con la noticia
Literally: To have breakfast with the news
Meaning: To get the scoop
No le importó quedarse todo el día con tal de desayunar con la noticia.
In order to get the scoop, she didn't mind staying the whole day.
Desde entonces
Literally: Since then
Meaning: Ever since
Ganó la lotería hace tres meses. No trabaja desde entonces.
He won the lottery three months ago. He has not worked since then.
Desnudar a un santo para vestir al otro.
Literally: To strip bare one saint to clothe another.
Meaning: To rob Peter to pay Paul.
La nueva ley no cambió nada. Desnuda a un santo para vestir al otro.
The new law didn't change anything. It's like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Después de atole
Literally: After the atole (cornmeal drink)
Meaning: Hindsight is better than foresight.
Después de atole, debería haber manejado mejor la situación.
Hindsight is better than foresight; I should have handled the situation better.
Día de campo
Literally: Countryside day
Meaning: Picnic
Estamos planeando un día de campo con toda la familia.
We're planning a picnic with the entire family.
Día de raya
Literally: Day of stripe
Meaning: Payday
El próximo día de raya me voy de fiesta con todos mis amigos.
Next payday, I'm going out with all my friends.
Donde no (colloquial)
Literally: Where no
Meaning: otherwise
Ven conmigo, donde no, me iré solo.
Come with me, otherwise, I'll go alone.
Echar al olvido
Literally: To throw to forgetfulness
Meaning: To purposefully forget
Echó al olvido su cita y se fue con sus amigos.
He purposefully forgot his date and went with his friends.
Echar de menos
Literally: To throw less
Meaning: To long for
Ahora que ya no están juntos, él la echa de menos muchísimo.
Now that they are no longer together, he longs for her a lot.
Echar la casa por la ventana
Literally: To throw the house through the window
Meaning: To spare no expense
Ganaremos, aunque tengamos que echar la casa por la ventana.
We will spare no expense in order to win.
Echar la llave
Literally: To throw the key
Meaning: To lock the door
No te olvides de echar la llave cuando salgas.
Don't forget to lock the door when you leave.
Echar una mano
Literally: To throw your hand
Meaning: To seize, to give a helping hand
Échame una mano con la tarea.
Help me with my homework.
Echar un sueño
Literally: To throw a dream
Meaning: To take a nap
Estoy muy cansado; me voy a echar un sueño.
I'm too tired; I'm going to take a nap.
En venta
Literally: Of sale
Meaning: On sale
Tuvieron suerte al encontrar la máquina de lavar en venta.
They were lucky to find the washing machine on sale.
Echar un terno
Literally: To throw a curse
Meaning: To swear, curse
Cuando se enoja, comienza a echar ternos.
When he is mad, he begins to swear.
Echar un trago
Literally: To throw a drink
Meaning: To take a drink
Tanto calor merece echarse un buen trago.
Such heat deserves a good drink.
Echar una siesta
Literally: To throw a siesta
Meaning: To take a siesta or nap
Después de ese gran almuerzo, me dan ganas de echarme una siesta.
After that good lunch, I feel like taking a nap.
El agua es para los bueyes, el vino para los hombres.
Literally: Water is for oxen, wine is for men.
Meaning: Let the fish drink water.
Bebe vino, que el agua es para los bueyes, el vino para los hombres.
Drink wine—let the fish drink water.
El campo fértil no descansado tórnase estéril.
Literally: The unrested fertile field turns sterile.
Meaning: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
No trabajes tanto, que el campo fértil no descansado tórnase estéril.
Don't work so much. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
El día menos pensado
Literally: The day less thought about
Meaning: When least expected
El día menos pensado vengo a visitarte.
I'll come to visit you when it's least expected.
El hijo de la gata ratones mata.
Literally: The son of a cat kills mice.
Meaning: Like father, like son.
No confío en ninguno de ellos. Recuerden que el hijo de la gata ratones mata.
I don't trust any of them, remember—like father, like son.
El perico dice lo que sabe, pero no sabe lo que dice.
Literally: The parrot says what he knows, but doesn't know what he says.
Meaning: To learn something parrot-fashion.
No lo escuches. Recuerda que el perico dice lo que sabe, pero no sabe lo que dice.
Don't listen to him. Remember that he only learns something in parrot fashion.
La puesta de sol
Literally: The setting of sun
Meaning: The setting sun
La puesta de sol se luce en la playa.
The setting sun looks great on the beach.
En caliente y de repente
Literally: In heat and suddenly
Meaning: Strike while the iron's hot.
Ahora que tienes su atención, pide en caliente y de repente.
Now that you have their attention, go ahead and ask—strike while the iron's hot.
En cueros
Literally: In leather
Meaning: Naked, stark naked
Traía el traje de baño tan suelto que se quedó en cueros en la piscina.
Her swimming suit was so loose that she ended up naked in the pool.
En grueso
Literally: In wide
Meaning: In bulk, wholesale
Me gusta comprar las cosas en grueso.
I like to buy things wholesale.
En lo más crudo del invierno
Literally: In the rawest of winter
Meaning: In the dead of winter
En lo más crudo del invierno se me perdieron los guantes.
In the dead of winter I lost my gloves.
En marcha
Literally: In march
Meaning: In progress
Todo está en marcha para la fiesta sorpresa.
Everything is in progress for the surprise party.
En menos de lo que canta un gallo.
Literally: In less time than the rooster crows.
Meaning: In the shake of a lamb's tail.
Yo termino la tarea en menos de lo que canta un gallo.
I'll finish my homework in the shake of a lamb's tail.
En otras palabras
Literally: In other words
Meaning: In other words
En otras palabras, no quiero volver a verte aquí.
In other words, I don't want to see you here anymore.
En pleno día
Literally: In full day
Meaning: In broad daylight
El secuestro ocurrió en pleno día.
The kidnapping took place in broad daylight.
En poder de
Literally: In power of
Meaning: In the hands of
El caso está en poder de los abogados.
The case is in the hands of the lawyers.
En realidad
Literally: In reality
Meaning: As a matter of fact
En realidad, todavía soy menor de edad.
As a matter of fact, I'm still und- eraged.
En un soplo
Literally: In one blow
Meaning: In a jiffy
El carro me lo reparó en un soplo.
He repaired my car in a jiffy.
En vez de
Literally: In time of
Meaning: Instead of
En vez de un trago me tomé un café.
Instead of a drink I had a cup of coffee.
En voz alta
Literally: In high voice
Meaning: Aloud
La única forma de hablar en el estadio fue en voz alta.
The only way to talk in the stadium was aloud.
Enajenamiento de los sentidos
Literally: Alienation of the senses
Meaning: Loss of consciousness
El choque de los dos futbolistas resultó en un enajenamiento de los sentidos.
The collision between the two soccer players resulted in a loss of consciousness.
Entrada de caballo y salida de burro
Literally: Entering on horseback, exiting on a donkey
Meaning: To go off with a bang and out like a light
El boxeador tuvo una entrada de caballo y salida de burro.
The boxer had an entrance that went off with a bang and out like a light.
Entre paréntesis
Literally: Between parentheses
Meaning: By the way
El juego estuvo tremendo. Entre paréntesis, perdiste la apuesta.
The game was great. By the way, you lost the bet.
Entre tanto
Literally: Between so much
Meaning: Meanwhile, in the meantime
El carro está en la mecánica; entre tanto voy a caminar.
The car is in the shop; in the meantime I'm going to walk.
Es como llevar piedras al cerro.
Literally: It's like carrying rocks up the hill.
Meaning: Like carrying coals to Newcastle.
Tratar de que cambien de pensar es como llevar piedras al cerro.
Trying to change their minds is like carrying coals to Newcastle.
Escribir a máquina
Literally: Write at typewriter
Meaning: To typewrite
En todas mis clases, las tareas tienen que escribirse a máquina.
In all my classes, the homework must be typewritten.
Eso es
Literally: That is
Meaning: That's right
Eso es, no hay nada más que decir.
That's right; there is nothing else to say.
Es el colmo
Literally: It is the overflow
Meaning: That's the limit
Es el colmo; no vuelvo a hablar con ellos.
That's the limit; I will not talk to them again.
Eso es harina de otro costal.
Literally: That's flour from another sack.
Meaning: That's a different story.
Cambiaste de tema. Eso es harina de otro costal.
You changed the subject. That's a different story.
Espuma de jabón
Literally: Suds of soap
Meaning: Suds
No te escondas en la espuma de jabón.
Don't hide in the suds.
Está pensando en las musarañas.
Literally: He or she is thinking about the creepy crawlies.
Meaning: He or she is daydreaming.
¿Qué haces? ¿Estás pensando en las musarañas?
What are you doing? Are you daydreaming?
Estar a la mira de
Literally: Being at the lookout of
Meaning: To be on the lookout for
Estamos a la mira del primer caballo en la carrera.
We're on the lookout for the first horse in the race.
Estar al cabo de
Literally: To be at the end of
Meaning: To be well informed
Estamos al cabo de todos los antecedentes.
We are well informed of the antecedents.
Estar como perro en barrio ajeno
Literally: To be like a dog in a foreign neighborhood
Meaning: To feel like a fish out of water
Él no sabe bailar y se siente como perro en barrio ajeno.
He does not know how to dance and it makes him feel like a fish out of water.
Estar de goma
Literally: To be of rubber
Meaning: To have a hangover
Bebió tanto que está de goma.
He drank so much that he has a hangover.
Estar de malas
Literally: To be of bad
Meaning: To be out of luck
Toda la semana ella ha estado de malas.
She's been unlucky all week.
Estar en camino
Literally: To be on the road
Meaning: To be on the way to something
Está en camino a la grandeza.
He's on his way to greatness.
Falta de conocimientos
Literally: Lack of knowledge
Meaning: Lack of instructions
Se nota tu falta de conocimientos sobre el tema.
Your lack of knowledge is evident.
Falta lo mero bueno.
Literally: The true good is lacking.
Meaning: We are not out of the woods yet.
Hasta que no veamos tierra falta lo mero bueno.
Until we see land, we are not out of the woods yet.
Fuegos artificiales
Literally: Artificial fires
Meaning: Fireworks
Cada cuatro de julio echamos fuegos artificiales.
Every Fourth of July we light fireworks.
Fuera de propósito
Literally: Out of purpose
Meaning: Irrelevant
El contrato nuevo está fuera de propósito. No estamos hablando de eso.
The new contract is irrelevant. We are not discussing that.
Ganar el gordo
Literally: To win the fat one
Meaning: To hit the jackpot
Tuvo tanta suerte que se ganó el gordo.
She had such good luck that she won the jackpot.
Ganar para comer
Literally: To earn to eat
Meaning: To earn a living
¿Qué piensas hacer para ganar para comer?
How do you plan to earn a living?
Ganar tiempo
Literally: To earn time
Meaning: To save time
Voy a usar la autopista nueva para ganar tiempo.
I'm planning to use the new freeway to save time.
Gato escaldado del agua fría huye.
Literally: The scalded cat flees cold water.
Meaning: once bitten, twice shy.
No creo que vuelva. Gato escaldado del agua fría huye.
I don't think that he will come back—once bitten, twice shy.
Hace aire.
Literally: It makes air.
Meaning: It is windy.
Hace aire fuerte. Parece que viene una tormenta.
It is very windy; a storm seems to be approaching.
Hace buen tiempo.
Literally: It makes good weather.
Meaning: It is good weather.
Estos últimos días ha hecho buen tiempo.
We've had good weather during these last few days.
Hace frío.
Literally: It makes cold.
Meaning: It is cold.
Hace mucho frío para ser solamente septiembre.
It is too cold for being only September.
Hace mal tiempo.
Literally: It makes bad weather.
Meaning: Weather is bad.
No sé por qué hace mal tiempo.
I don't know why the weather is bad.
Hace mucho tiempo.
Literally: It makes a lot of time
Meaning: A long time ago
Hace mucho tiempo vivió aquí un gran héroe.
A long time ago a great hero lived here.
Hacer cocos
Literally: To make coconuts
Meaning: To make eyes at
Todas las muchachas en la escena le hacen cocos a ese actor.
All the girls on the stage make eyes at the actor.
Hacer cola
Literally: To make a tail
Meaning: To form a line
Tuvimos que hacer cola para conseguir las entradas de la nueva película.
We had to form a line to get tickets to the new movie.
Hacer cuco a
Literally: To do sly things to
Meaning: To make a fool of
Los amigos se reunieron para hacerle cuco al extraño.
The friends got together to make a fool of the stranger.
Hacer falta
Literally: To make want
Meaning: To lack, to be needed, to miss
Me hace falta un dólar.
I need a dollar.
Hacer por escrito
Literally: To make for writing
Meaning: To put into writing
Lo hizo por escrito.
He put it in writing.
Hacer una mala jugada
Literally: To make a bad play
Meaning: To play a bad trick
No se llevan bien desde que el uno le hizo una mala jugada al otro.
They don't get along ever since one played a bad trick on the other.
Haz bien y no mires con quién.
Literally: Do right and don't look with whom.
Meaning: Mind your own business.
Tú solo haz tu trabajo. Haz bien y no mires con quién.
You just do your job and mind your own business.
Huellas digitales
Literally: Digital clues
Meaning: Fingerprints
Encontraron huellas digitales en el arma que estaba cerca del difunto.
They found fingerprints on the firearm found next to the dead man.
Huevos revueltos
Literally: Scrambled eggs
Meaning: Scrambled eggs
Me encantan los huevos revueltos de desayuno.
I love scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Ida y vuelta
Literally: Going and turning
Meaning: Round trip
El viaje de ida y vuelta me costó mil dólares.
The round trip cost me a thousand dollars.
Ímpetu de ira
Literally: Haste of anger
Meaning: Fit of rage
En un ímpetu de ira, golpeó al policía.
He struck the police officer in a fit of rage.
Ir de compras
Literally: To go shopping
Meaning: To go shopping
Hoy tengo que ir de compras.
I need to go shopping today.
Ir para atrás
Literally: To go to the back
Meaning: To back up
Para sacar el carro, tuvo que ir para atrás y para adelante.
He had to back up and pull forward in order to take the car out.
Juego de té
Literally: Game of tea
Meaning: Tea set
Ese juego de té es muy caro.
That tea set is very expensive.
Juego limpio
Literally: A clean game
Meaning: Fair play
Los dos equipos jugaron un juego limpio.
Both teams played a fair game.
Juego sucio
Literally: A dirty game
Meaning: Foul play
No son amigos porque uno de ellos juega sucio.
They are not friends because one of them foul-plays.
Jugador de manos
Literally: Player of hands
Meaning: Juggler
Ese jugador de manos es un artista de calidad.
That juggler is an artist of quality.
Junto a
Literally: Near
Meaning: Near to
Junto a su cuerpo encontraron mucho dinero.
They found a lot of money next to his body.
La carne de burro no es transparente.
Literally: The flesh of the donkey is not transparent.
Meaning: I can't see through you.
No veo. La carne de burro no es transparente.
I can't see, I can't see through you.
La mera idea de
Literally: The very idea of
Meaning: The very idea of
La mera idea de salir de viaje no me agrada.
The very idea of traveling does not appeal to me.
La rutina diaria
Literally: The daily routine
Meaning: The daily grind, the daily routine
Ya me cansé de la rutina diaria.
I'm tired of the daily grind.
La semana pasada
Literally: Last week
Meaning: Last week
Fui de vacaciones la semana pasada.
I went on vacation last week.
La semana que viene
Literally: The week that will come
Meaning: Next week
La semana que viene tengo otra semana de vacaciones.
I have another week of vacation next week.
La verdad clara y desnuda
Literally: The clear and naked truth
Meaning: The whole truth
Dime la verdad clara y desnuda.
Tell me the whole truth.
Le patina el coco.
Literally: His coconut (head) slips.
Meaning: He has a screw loose, he's crazy.
No le escuchen. Le patina el coco.
Don't listen to him; he has a screw loose.
Más loco que una cabra
Literally: Crazier than a goat
Meaning: As mad as a hatter
Tengan cuidado. Está más loco que una cabra.
Be careful, he is as mad as a hatter.
Más vale llegar a tiempo que en convidado.
Literally: It's better to arrive on time than to be invited.
Meaning: First come, first served.
Tenemos que apresurarnos, recuerda: más vale llegar a tiempo que en convidado.
We need to hurry up, remember: first come, first served.
Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.
Literally: A bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred flying.
Meaning: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Dame este pollo flacucho. Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.
Give me the weak-looking chicken, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Meter la cuchara
Literally: To put the spoon in
Meaning: To stick one's oar in
No metas la cuchara donde no te importa.
Don't stick your oar where it doesn't belong.
Entre las patas de los caballos
Literally: Amidst the horses' feet
Meaning: To get out of one's depth
Con tantos problemas, me sentí como entre las patas de los caballos.
I felt out of depth with all those problems.
Mientras que en mi casa estoy, rey soy.
Literally: While in my house, I am king.
Meaning: A man's house is his castle.
Trátenme bien. Mientras que en mi casa estoy, rey soy.
Treat me well. A man's house is his castle.
No hay nada tan atrevido como la ignorancia.
Literally: There is nothing bolder than ignorance.
Meaning: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Recapacita; no hay nada tan atrevido como la ignorancia.
Reflect on it; only fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Otro gallo nos cantará.
Literally: Another rooster will sing for us.
Meaning: That's a horse of a different color.
Acepta la segunda propuesta. Otro gallo nos cantará.
Take the second offer. It's a horse of a different color.
Pena de muerte
Literally: Penalty of death
Meaning: Capital punishment
Ese crimen merece la pena de muerte.
That crime deserves capital punishment.
Perder el juicio
Literally: To lose one's judgment
Meaning: To lose one's mind
El joven perdió el juicio al ver a su chica con otro.
The young man lost his mind when he saw his girlfriend with another man.
Por lo tanto
Literally: For the many
Meaning: Therefore
Ya dijimos todo lo que queríamos. Por lo tanto, no hay nada más que hablar.
We said all that we wanted to say. Therefore, there is nothing else to say.
Por mi parte
Literally: For my part
Meaning: As far as I'm concerned
Por mi parte todo ha terminado.
As far as I'm concerned, everything is finished.
Por su cuenta
Literally: By his account
Meaning: All by himself
Él pagará el coche por su cuenta.
He will pay for the car all by himself.
Por un pelito de rana
Literally: By a little hair of a frog
Meaning: It was a close call.
Se salvó de un accidente por un pelito de rana.
He avoided an accident, but it was a very close call.
Prietitos del mismo arroz
Literally: Little dark things from the same rice
Meaning: It's all in a day's work.
Ayudaremos a nuestros amigos. Son prietitos del mismo arroz.
We will help our friends. It's all in a day's work.
Primeros auxilios
Literally: First helps
Meaning: First aid
Los paramédicos llegaron justo a tiempo para darle primeros auxilios.
The paramedics arrived just in time to provide first aid.
Prohibida la entrada
Literally: Prohibited entrance
Meaning: No trespassing
Está prohibida la entrada al parque al anochecer.
There is no trespassing inside the park after dark.
Pues bien (colloquial)
Literally: Well, good
Meaning: Well, then
Pues bien, me voy a casa.
Well, then, I am going home.
Puesto que
Literally: Then what
Meaning: Since, inasmuch as
Puesto que ya no me necesitan, me voy.
Since they no longer need me, I'm leaving.
Punto de inspección
Literally: Point of inspection
Meaning: Checkpoint
Ese punto de inspección está bien situado.
That checkpoint is well placed.
Quedarse como el que chifló en la loma
Literally: To remain like the one who whistled on the hill
Meaning: To be left holding the bag
Todos se fueron y se quedó como el que chifló en la loma.
Everyone left, and he was left holding the bag.
Quedarse con un pie en el estribo
Literally: To remain with a foot in the stirrup
Meaning: To be left standing
La muchacha no acudió y el muchacho se quedó con un pie en el estribo.
The girl never showed up, and the boy was left standing.
Quien ríe de último, ríe mejor.
Literally: Who laughs the last, laughs best.
Meaning: He who laughs last, laughs best.
No importa. Quien ríe de último, ríe mejor.
It doesn't matter. He who laughs last, laughs best.
Rara vez
Literally: Rare time
Meaning: Seldom
El doctor viene a estos lugares muy rara vez.
The doctor comes here very seldom.
Reírse a carcajadas
Literally: To laugh in a burst
Meaning: To laugh one's head off
La muchacha se rió a carcajadas.
The girl roared with laughter.
Saberlo de buena fuente
Literally: To know it from a good source
Meaning: To hear it straight from the horse's mouth
La secretaria llegó a saberlo de buena fuente que habría un ascenso.
The secretary heard that there would be a promotion straight from the horse's mouth.
Saltarse un semáforo
Literally: To jump the traffic light
Meaning: To run a red light
Recibió una multa porque se saltó un semáforo.
He received a fine because he ran a red light.
Ser más listo que un coyote
Literally: To be more intelligent than a coyote
Meaning: As sharp as a tack
Ese tipo es más listo que un coyote.
That guy is as sharp as a tack.
Ser puente
Literally: To be a bridge
Meaning: To be a long weekend
El viernes es puente. Tenemos cuatro días de fiesta: jueves, viernes, sábado y domingo.
Friday is a holiday. We have four days off: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Si esta víbora te pica, no hay remedio en la botica.
Literally: If this snake bites you, there's no remedy in the pharmacy.
Meaning: You're playing with fire.
Cuidado que no se entere. Si esa víbora te pica, no hay remedio en la botica.
Be careful that she does not find out. You are playing with fire.
Si mi tía tuviera ruedas, sería una bicicleta.
Literally: If my aunt had wheels, she would be a bicycle.
Meaning: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Tú todavía no sabes de la vida. Si mi tía tuviera ruedas, sería bicicleta.
You still don't know about life. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Tener buena cara
Literally: To have a good face
Meaning: To look well
Debes sentirte mejor. Tienes buena cara.
You must feel better. You look well.
Tener calor
Literally: To have heat
Meaning: To be hot
Tengo calor con tanta ropa.
I'm hot with all these clothes.
Tener celos
Literally: To have jealously
Meaning: To be jealous
Tiene muchos celos de verme con otras muchachas.
She is very jealous to see me with other girls.
Tener el pico de oro
Literally: Have the beak of gold
Meaning: To be eloquent
Todos reconocen que tiene el pico de oro.
Everyone is aware of his eloquence.
Tener en la mente
Literally: To have in the mind
Meaning: To have in mind, to have a thought
¿Tú sabes lo que tengo en la mente?
Do you know what I have in mind?
Tener en poco
Literally: To have in little
Meaning: To hold in low esteem
Él tiene en poco su aspecto físico.
He holds in low esteem his physical appearance.
Tener éxito
Literally: To have success
Meaning: To be successful
Trabajó muy duro para tener éxito.
He worked very hard to be successful.
Tener lugar
Literally: To have place
Meaning: To take place
Esa presentación va a tener lugar en un mes.
That show will take place in a month.
Tener más lana que un borrego
Literally: To have more wool than a lamb
Meaning: To have money to burn
Le fue tan bien en los negocios que tiene más lana que un borrego.
He did so well in his business that he now has money to burn.
Tener vergüenza
Literally: To have shame
Meaning: To be ashamed, to be shy
Ella tiene mucha vergüenza de hablar en público.
She is very shy about speaking in public.
Tirar las riendas
Literally: Throw the reins
Meaning: To tighten the reins
Su madre tira las riendas en su casa.
His mother tightens the reins at home.
Todas las veces
Literally: All the times
Meaning: Whenever
Todas las veces que voy a ese restaurante, salgo demasiado lleno.
Whenever I go inside to that restaurant, I come out too full.
Todo el mundo
Literally: All of the world
Meaning: Everyone
Todo el mundo sabe un poco de español.
Everyone knows a little bit of Spanish.
Todo el tiempo
Literally: All the time
Meaning: All the time
Yo voy de compras todo el tiempo.
I go shopping all the time.
Tomar a pecho
Literally: To take to chest
Meaning: To take to heart, to take it personally
Cuidado con lo que le digas, no vaya a tomarlo a pecho.
Be careful with what you say to him, he might take it to heart.
Un día sí y otro no
Literally: One day yes, and another no
Meaning: Every other day
Tengo un trabajo flexible. Trabajo un día sí y otro no.
My job is very flexible. I work every other day.
Un par de
Literally: A pair of
Meaning: A couple of
Son un par de gemelos.
They are a couple of twins.
Una negativa rotunda
Literally: A negative round
Meaning: A flat denial
No le dieron el préstamo. Fue una negativa rotunda.
They did not give him the loan. It was a flat denial.
Una y otra vez
Literally: One and other time
Meaning: over and over again
Hace lo mismo una y otra vez.
He does the same thing over and over again.
Uno por uno
Literally: One for one
Meaning: One by one
Repartió los regalos de Navidad uno por uno.
He distributed the Christmas gifts one by one.
Unos pocos
Literally: Some few
Meaning: A few
Tan sólo fueron unos pocos los que fueron escogidos.
Only a few were selected.
Valer la pena
Literally: To be worth the pain
Meaning: To be worthwhile
Valió la pena ir a la playa. porque conocimos a muchas chicas guapas.
Going to the beach was worthwhile, because we met a lot of pretty girls.
Valer más
Literally: To be worth more
Meaning: To be worth more
Algunos objetos antiguos valen más hoy que antes.
Some antiques are worth more today than before.
Varias veces
Literally: Several times
Meaning: Several times
Te llamé por teléfono varias veces.
I called you on the phone several times.
Venta pública
Literally: Public sale
Meaning: Auction
Algunas obras de arte están a la venta pública.
Some works of art are up for auction.
Visto que
Literally: Seeing that
Meaning: Seeing that
Visto que no llegó, me fui sola a la fiesta.
Seeing that he did not arrive, I went to the party on my own.
Vivito y coleando
Literally: Alive and wagging tail
Meaning: Alive and kicking
El otro día vi a Miguel. Él está vivito y coleando.
The other day I saw Miguel. He is alive and kicking.
Volver loco
Literally: To become crazy
Meaning: To drive crazy
Este desorden me vuelve loco.
This mess is driving me crazy.
Yo te conozco bacalao, aunque vengas disfrazado.
Literally: I know you codfish, even though you wear a disguise.
Meaning: I know your game.
No me engañes, que yo te conozco bacalao, aunque vengas disfrazado.
You do not fool me, I know your game.
