This phrase literally translates to 'in the long run everything is known'. It is used to express the idea that secrets or hidden truths will eventually be revealed over time. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, si él mintió, a la larga todo se sabe. English: Don't worry, if he lied, in the long run everything […]
A la corta o a la larga con el tiempo todo se alcanza
This phrase literally translates to 'sooner or later, in time, everything can be achieved'. It's used to express the idea that with time and patience, all goals can be reached. Examples Spanish: 'No te desesperes, a la corta o a la larga con el tiempo todo se alcanza', me dijo mi mamá cuando estaba preocupado […]
A grandes males, grandes remedios
This is a popular saying in Spanish which means that big problems require big solutions. It is often used to justify drastic measures to solve serious problems. Examples Spanish: El país está en crisis económica. Como dice el dicho, 'A grandes males, grandes remedios'. Es hora de tomar medidas drásticas. English: The country is in […]
A falta de pan, galleta
This phrase is used to express the idea of settling for an alternative when the first option is not available. It literally translates to 'In the absence of bread, a biscuit'. Examples Spanish: Quería ir al cine, pero a falta de pan, galleta, así que vi una película en casa. English: I wanted to go […]
A ése no lo salvan ni las once mil vírgenes
This colorful expression is used to refer to someone who is in a very difficult situation, implying that even an extreme or miraculous solution couldn't help them. It's a somewhat humorous way of saying someone is beyond help. Examples Spanish: 'A ése no lo salvan ni las once mil vírgenes', dijo Juan, refiriéndose a su […]
A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando
This phrase is used to describe someone who prays to God but also works hard to achieve his or her goals. It emphasizes the importance of coupling prayer with actions. Examples Spanish: Mi padre siempre ha sido un gran trabajador, creyente en 'A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando'. English: My father has always […]
A cualquiera se le muere un tío
This phrase is used to express that anyone can have a stroke of good luck or receive an unexpected benefit. It's often used in situations where someone unexpectedly comes into a fortune or good situation, implying that they didn't necessarily earn it. Examples Spanish: Juan nunca trabajó un día en su vida y de repente […]
A cada santo le llega su día / hora
This phrase is used to express that everyone will get their moment or opportunity at some point. It can also be used to imply that everyone will face the consequences of their actions eventually. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, a cada santo le llega su día. Tu oportunidad llegará. English: Don't worry, every saint has […]
A cada puerco le llega su sábado
This phrase literally translates to 'Every pig gets its Saturday,' but it's used to mean that everyone will get what they deserve in the end, particularly those who do wrong. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por él, a cada puerco le llega su sábado. English: Don't worry about him, everyone gets what they deserve in […]
A cada lechón le llega su San Martín
This is a Spanish idiom that translates to 'Every pig has its St. Martin.' It's used to convey that everyone must face the consequences of their actions sooner or later, as St. Martin's Day was traditionally the day to slaughter pigs for winter. Examples Spanish: Sigue comportándote mal, recuerda que a cada lechón le llega […]
A cada guaraguao le llega su pitirre
This phrase literally means 'Every guaraguao (a type of bird of prey) has its pitirre (another bird that bravely attacks the guaraguao)'. It is used to express that everyone will meet their match or that everyone will face their own challenges. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre se aprovecha de los demás, pero no te preocupes, a […]
A caballo regalado no se le mira el colmillo
This phrase literally translates to 'Don't check the teeth of a gift horse.' It is used to express that one should not criticize or be ungrateful for a gift or opportunity they have received, even if it's not perfect. Examples Spanish: 'El coche que me regaló mi tío es viejo, pero ya sabes, a caballo […]
una pata
In some Latin American countries like Peru, 'una pata' is a colloquial term used to refer to a friend or buddy. However, it can vary depending on the region. In its literal sense, it means 'a leg' or 'a paw'. Examples Spanish: Voy a salir a jugar fútbol con las patas. English: I am going […]
palanca
In Spanish slang, 'palanca' generally refers to influence or connections someone has that can be used to gain an advantage. It's mostly used when referring to personal relationships that are used to obtain favors or benefits. Examples Spanish: Conseguí este trabajo gracias a la palanca de mi tío que es amigo del jefe. English: I […]
batutera
A slang term primarily used in Argentina to refer to a girl or woman who likes to party a lot and is often at nightclubs. Examples Spanish: Ella es una batutera, siempre la veo en los bares cada fin de semana. English: She is a party girl, I always see her in bars every weekend.
bastonera
Bastonera is a Spanish slang term often used in Latin America, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay. It refers to a female cheerleader or a girl who leads a marching band or parade, often with a baton. Examples Spanish: La bastonera del desfile estaba girando su bastón en formas impresionantes. English: The parade's baton twirler was […]
candungo
It's a term used in Spain that generally refers to a person who is considered difficult, bothersome, or annoying. Examples Spanish: No soporto a ese candungo, siempre está molestando a los demás. English: I can't stand that annoying person, he's always bothering others.
cachimiro
In some Latin American countries, 'cachimiro' is a slang term used to refer to a homemade smoking pipe, often for marijuana. It can also refer to the marijuana itself in a more general sense. Examples Spanish: Mi amigo hizo un cachimiro con una manzana. English: My friend made a homemade pipe with an apple.
sínsora, sínsoras
A term used to refer to a person who acts like they are a know-it-all, or who thinks they are superior to others. Also used to describe someone who is bossy or controlling. Examples Spanish: No soporto a Luis, siempre se comporta como un sínsora en las reuniones. English: I can't stand Luis, he always […]
égida
In Spanish slang, 'égida' is used to refer to protection or support, often provided by a powerful person or entity. It originates from the Greek mythological term 'Aegis', the shield of Zeus or Athena. Examples Spanish: La organización benéfica opera bajo la égida de las Naciones Unidas. English: The charity organization operates under the aegis […]
pichear, pichar
A slang term used primarily in Puerto Rico and Cuba, which means to ignore, avoid or reject something or someone. Examples Spanish: No te ofendas, pero voy a tener que pichar tu oferta. English: Don't be offended, but I'm going to have to ignore your offer.
cochofle
Cochofle is a slang term used in Chile and it refers to a mess or a situation that is complicated or confusing. Examples Spanish: Este proyecto está hecho un cochofle, necesitamos organizarlo mejor. English: This project is a real mess, we need to organize it better.
sutano
Sutano is a term used in Spain, mainly in Andalusia and Extremadura, to refer to a person who is very thin or skinny. Examples Spanish: ¡No te puedes poner esos pantalones, pareces un sutano! English: You can't wear those pants, you look like a sutano (very skinny person)!
pimentón
In the context of Spanish slang, 'pimentón' is not a slang term. It is a standard Spanish word for 'paprika', a type of spice. However, depending on the region, it can be used to refer to a red bell pepper. Examples Spanish: Voy a agregar un poco de pimentón a la paella para darle color […]
narizona
A colloquial term used in some Spanish-speaking regions to describe someone with a large nose. It comes from the combination of the words 'nariz' (nose) and '-ona' (a suffix indicating largeness). Examples Spanish: ¡No te burles de Juan, él se siente mal por ser narizona! English: Don't make fun of Juan, he feels bad for […]
matapasiones
A term used to describe an item of clothing, usually large or unflattering, that is considered to diminish a person's physical attractiveness. It literally translates to 'passion killer'. Examples Spanish: No puedo creer que te hayas puesto ese matapasiones para tu cita. English: I can't believe you put on that passion killer for your date.
atrapalocas
Atrapalocas is a colloquial term used predominantly in Spain to refer to someone who is clumsy or tends to mess things up. It can also refer to a person who often gets confused. Examples Spanish: No dejes a Juan arreglar el coche, es un atrapalocas y puede causar más daño. English: Don't let Juan fix […]
brasilera
A colloquial term in Spanish that refers to a woman from Brazil. Examples Spanish: La brasilera que vive en mi edificio es muy amigable. English: The Brazilian woman who lives in my building is very friendly.
calzones
In slang context, 'calzones' refers to female underwear or undergarments. In literal terms, it refers to a type of Italian stuffed pizza. Examples Spanish: ¡Olvidé empacar mis calzones para el viaje! English: I forgot to pack my underwear for the trip!
pan de trigo
Literally translates to 'wheat bread'. However, this is not a slang term in Spanish. It is used to refer to the actual bread made from wheat. Examples Spanish: Para el desayuno, prefiero el pan de trigo en lugar de pan blanco. English: For breakfast, I prefer wheat bread instead of white bread.