This Spanish slang term literally translates to 'to be on a diet'. However, it is often used in a more informal context to refer to not having enough money or trying to save money. Examples Spanish: No puedo ir al cine, estoy a dieta esta semana. English: I can't go to the cinema, I'm on […]
estar a toda lecha
A Spanish slang term that means 'to be at full speed' or 'to go as fast as possible'. It is often used to express that someone or something is going or working incredibly fast. Examples Spanish: El coche iba a toda lecha por la autopista. English: The car was going at full speed on the […]
estar achantao
A Chilean slang term that means being scared or intimidated by a situation. It can also describe someone who is shy or withdrawn. Examples Spanish: No te quedes achantao en la esquina, ven y únete a la fiesta. English: Don't stay scared in the corner, come and join the party.
estar al cantío de un gallo
A Spanish slang phrase that translates literally to 'to be at the crowing of a rooster'. It is used to express that something is very close or about to happen very soon. Examples Spanish: Estoy al cantío de un gallo de terminar este proyecto. English: I am about to finish this project very soon.
estar atrás del palo y pidiendo el último
A Spanish slang phrase that refers to a person who is slow to understand a situation or is always the last one to understand or catch up with what is going on. Examples Spanish: Siempre tienes que explicarle todo dos veces. Siempre está atrás del palo y pidiendo el último. English: You always have to […]
estar comiendo de lo que pica el pollo
This phrase is used to indicate that someone is going through a difficult situation or is having a hard time. It's a metaphorical expression comparing a person's situation to a chicken pecking at food, implying that the person is struggling to get by or make ends meet. Examples Spanish: Desde que perdió su trabajo, Juan […]
estar de chúpame y déjame y cabo
This phrase is often used in Spain and it literally translates to 'suck me and leave me dry', but it's not used in a sexual context. It's a colloquial way to express that you're exhausted, drained or extremely tired. Examples Spanish: Después de trabajar todo el día, estoy de chúpame y déjame seco. English: After […]
empingao
A term used predominantly in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic which refers to something or someone that is very good, great, or excellent. It can also denote strong emphasis. Examples Spanish: Ese concierto estuvo empingao, nunca había visto nada igual. English: That concert was amazing, I've never seen anything like it.
emplumar
To punish, reprimand, or give someone a hard time. It can also mean to embarrass someone publicly. Examples Spanish: Si no dejas de hacer travesuras, te van a emplumar en la escuela. English: If you don't stop making mischief, they are going to punish you at school.
encangrejarse
A slang term used in Spain, 'encangrejarse' refers to the act of becoming introverted, antisocial, or isolated. It can also refer to becoming lazy or sedentary, often spending too much time at home. Examples Spanish: Desde que perdió su trabajo, Juan se ha encangrejado y no sale de casa. English: Since he lost his job, […]
encaramarse
A colloquial term that refers to climbing or getting on top of something, often used in a figurative way to indicate someone trying to improve their social or economic status. Examples Spanish: Juan se encaramó a la cima de la empresa con mucho esfuerzo y dedicación. English: Juan climbed to the top of the company […]
encojonao
A colloquial term used in certain Spanish-speaking regions, primarily in the Caribbean, which refers to being very angry or pissed off. Examples Spanish: Estoy encojonao porque perdí mi cartera. English: I'm pissed off because I lost my wallet.
endilgar
To saddle someone with something, usually a task or responsibility they don't want. Examples Spanish: Siempre me endilgan las tareas más difíciles en el trabajo. English: They always saddle me with the hardest tasks at work.
entre col y col, lechuga
This phrase is used to denote a change of topic in a discussion or conversation. It literally translates to 'between cabbage and cabbage, lettuce', and is equivalent to the English idiom 'speak of the devil'. Examples Spanish: Entre col y col, lechuga, ¿has visto el nuevo episodio de la serie? English: Speaking of which, have […]
éramos pocos y parió Catana
This Spanish slang phrase is used to express that a difficult situation has become even worse due to an unexpected event. The literal translation is 'we were few and Catana gave birth', but the phrase is used metaphorically, not literally. Examples Spanish: Como si no tuviéramos suficiente con la pérdida del contrato, ahora también nos […]
es bueno cuando está durmiendo
This phrase is not really a slang, but a literal phrase that translates to 'he/she is good when he/she is sleeping'. It is often used humorously or sarcastically to refer to someone who is less trouble or annoying when they're asleep. Examples Spanish: Ese niño es muy travieso. Realmente es bueno cuando está durmiendo. English: […]
escapao
Used in some Latin American countries, 'escapao' is a slang term that refers to a person who is crazy or acts in unpredictable and wild ways. It can also refer to someone who has escaped or run away from somewhere. Examples Spanish: Juan está siempre haciendo tonterías, él está escapao. English: Juan is always doing […]
espantar la mula
To run away or escape quickly, often to avoid responsibility or trouble Examples Spanish: Cuando vio a la policía, decidió espantar la mula. English: When he saw the police, he decided to run away quickly.
durofrío
A Dominican slang term referring to a type of homemade popsicle made from various flavors, often sold by street vendors. Examples Spanish: Hace mucho calor, vamos a comprar un durofrío. English: It's very hot, let's buy a durofrío.
echar un patín
A colloquial phrase used in Spain, which means 'to make a quick visit' or 'to drop by'. Examples Spanish: Voy a echar un patín a casa de mi abuela para ver cómo está. English: I'm going to drop by my grandmother's house to see how she is.
echar una surna
To take a nap or a short sleep, usually during the day. Examples Spanish: Estoy muy cansado, voy a echar una surna antes de salir esta noche. English: I'm very tired, I'm going to take a nap before going out tonight.
el culo del mundo
A colloquial and somewhat crude term literally translating to 'the ass of the world'. It is used to describe a very remote, isolated, or undesirable place. Examples Spanish: Vivo en el culo del mundo, donde no hay señal de celular. English: I live in the middle of nowhere, where there's no cell phone signal.
el horno no está para galleticas
This phrase is used to indicate that the situation or context is not suitable or convenient for a certain action or attitude. Literally translates to 'the oven is not for cookies', it is used metaphorically to express that conditions are not right for something specific. Examples Spanish: A pesar de que me encantaría irnos de […]
él no dispara un chícharo
It is a phrase used to denote that someone is harmless or not a threat. It can also mean that someone does not contribute anything important or valuable. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por él, él no dispara un chícharo. English: Don't worry about him, he doesn't shoot a pea (he's harmless).
embalao
A term primarily used in Colombia and Venezuela, 'embalao' refers to being in a rush or hurry. It can also refer to being deeply involved in something. Examples Spanish: No puedo quedarme a charlar, estoy muy embalao. English: I can't stay to chat, I'm in a rush.
embarajar
A Spanish slang term often used in the Caribbean, especially in the Dominican Republic, 'embarajar' typically means to confuse, disorient, or mix up. Examples Spanish: El profesor de matemáticas siempre me embaraja con sus explicaciones complicadas. English: The math teacher always confuses me with his complicated explanations.
embarcar
In Spanish slang, 'embarcar' is often used to refer to tricking, deceiving or setting someone up. It can also mean causing someone to get into trouble. Examples Spanish: Juan me embarcó al decirle al profesor que yo hice la trampa. English: Juan set me up by telling the teacher that I cheated.
empinar chiringa
A Puerto Rican slang term that literally translates to 'raise a kite', but it's often used figuratively to mean 'get drunk' or 'drink alcohol'. Examples Spanish: Vamos a salir a empinar chiringa este fin de semana. English: We're going out to get drunk this weekend.
de a viaje
A term used to describe someone who is spaced out, daydreaming, or not paying attention. Examples Spanish: ¡Oye, estás de a viaje! Presta atención a lo que estoy diciendo. English: Hey, you are 'de a viaje'! Pay attention to what I'm saying.
de carretilla
A Spanish slang term that refers to something that is done repeatedly or constantly, to the point of memorization. It is often used to describe something that you know very well or can do easily because you have done it many times. Examples Spanish: Conozco este camino de carretilla, lo he recorrido muchas veces. English: […]