A colloquial phrase used to describe someone who is extremely stingy or unwilling to spend money, even for the smallest or most necessary items. Examples Spanish: Pedro es tan tacaño que no se compra ni un panty. English: Pedro is so stingy that he won't even buy a pair of underwear.
no creer ni en la luz eléctrica
This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely skeptical and doesn't believe in anything easily. Examples Spanish: Juan es tan desconfiado que no cree ni en la luz eléctrica. English: Juan is so distrustful that he doesn't even believe in electric light.
no dar pie con bola
This phrase is used when someone consistently fails or makes mistakes, particularly in contexts where they should be performing better. It's similar to the English expression 'can't do anything right'. Examples Spanish: Desde que me dejó mi novia, no doy pie con bola en ninguna de mis tareas. English: Since my girlfriend left me, I […]
no dar un tajo
An expression used when someone doesn't contribute or do any work, it is equivalent to 'not lifting a finger'. Examples Spanish: Juan no da un tajo en casa, siempre está viendo televisión. English: Juan doesn't lift a finger at home, he's always watching TV.
no decir ni ji
A phrase used when someone doesn't say anything, remains silent, or doesn't speak up when expected to. Examples Spanish: A pesar de que todos discutían sobre el problema, Juan no decía ni ji. English: Even though everyone was arguing about the problem, Juan didn't say a word.
no encontrar dónde pararse
This slang phrase is used to describe a situation where a person is so overwhelmed or confused that they can't find a place to settle or make a decision. It's similar to the English phrase 'like a deer in the headlights'. Examples Spanish: Estoy tan agobiado con todo el trabajo que tengo que no encuentro […]
no es lo mismo ni se escribe igual
A phrase used to underline the difference between two things or situations that may seem similar but are not. It literally translates to 'it's not the same nor is it written the same'. Examples Spanish: Estudiar inglés y estudiar chino, no es lo mismo ni se escribe igual. English: Studying English and studying Chinese, it's […]
no es lo mucho sino lo continuo
This saying is similar to 'slow and steady wins the race' in English. It emphasizes the importance of continuous, persistent effort rather than a large, one-off action. Examples Spanish: No es lo mucho sino lo continuo, así que sigue practicando cada día para mejorar en el idioma. English: It's not about doing a lot at […]
no es lo mucho sino lo seguidito
This phrase is used to indicate that the frequency of something, rather than the quantity or intensity, is what really matters or has an impact. It's often used to refer to habits, actions or situations that might seem small or unimportant but can become significant when they happen regularly over time. Examples Spanish: No te […]
no es negocio
It's not worth it, it's not a good deal Examples Spanish: Comprar ese coche viejo no es negocio, mejor ahorra para uno nuevo. English: Buying that old car is not worth it, better save for a new one.
no es para tanto
Used to tell someone they are overreacting or to minimize the importance of something. It's equivalent to the English phrase 'it's not a big deal'. Examples Spanish: Relájate, no es para tanto. Solo es un pequeño rasguño. English: Calm down, it's not a big deal. It's just a small scratch.
no es santo de su devoción
This phrase is used to indicate that someone doesn't like or doesn't have a particular interest or preference for someone else or something. It's a way to say that someone or something is not to their liking or not their favorite. Examples Spanish: El futbol no es santo de su devoción, prefiere el baloncesto. English: […]
no estoy en mi gallinero
A phrase used to indicate that someone is out of their comfort zone or in an unfamiliar place or situation. Literally, it translates to 'I am not in my chicken coop'. Examples Spanish: Este es mi primer día en el nuevo trabajo, definitivamente no estoy en mi gallinero. English: This is my first day at […]
no extrañar gallera
This Spanish slang phrase is commonly used in some Latin American countries and it literally translates to 'not to miss the cockfight'. However, it is used metaphorically to mean 'not to miss any action or event', implying that someone always wants to be involved in everything happening around them. Examples Spanish: No extraña gallera, siempre […]
no habla por no ofender
The phrase 'no habla por no ofender' isn't necessarily slang, but a phrase in Spanish that directly translates to 'does not speak to avoid offending'. It is used when someone chooses to remain silent rather than risk saying something that could upset or offend another person. Examples Spanish: A veces, Juan no habla por no […]
no le duele nada
A phrase used to describe someone who is shameless or doesn't care about the consequences of their actions. It literally translates to 'nothing hurts them'. Examples Spanish: Robó el banco sin arrepentimiento, parece que a él no le duele nada. English: He robbed the bank without remorse, it seems that nothing hurts him.
no lo quiero ver ni en pintura
This phrase is used to express a strong dislike for someone or something, to the point where you don't even want to see a picture of them. It literally translates to 'I don't want to see him/her/it, not even in a painting'. Examples Spanish: Después de lo que hizo, no lo quiero ver ni en […]
no me fuñas
A Chilean Spanish slang phrase that means 'don't snitch on me' or 'don't tell on me'. It's commonly used among friends or acquaintances to ask for discretion about a certain matter. Examples Spanish: No le digas a la profesora que no hice la tarea, no me fuñas. English: Don't tell the teacher I didn't do […]
no me quiero para nada
This phrase translates to 'I don't like myself at all.' It is used to express a strong dislike or dissatisfaction with oneself. Examples Spanish: Estoy tan decepcionado con mis acciones, no me quiero para nada. English: I'm so disappointed with my actions, I don't like myself at all.
no olerle a alguien ni las azucenas
This is a Spanish slang that literally translates to 'not even smelling someone's lilies'. It is used when someone doesn't have the slightest idea about something or someone. Examples Spanish: No me preguntan por eso, no le huelo ni las azucenas a ese tema. English: Don't ask me about that, I don't have the slightest […]
no para la pata
An expression used when someone is always busy, constantly on the go, or non-stop. It literally translates to 'doesn't stop the paw', referring to a person's foot always moving. Examples Spanish: Juan no para la pata, siempre está trabajando en algo nuevo. English: Juan doesn't stop, he's always working on something new.
no pare más
A phrase often used to tell someone to stop doing something, or not to continue. It translates to 'don't stop anymore' or 'don't continue anymore'. Examples Spanish: No pare más, ya has hecho suficiente trabajo por hoy. English: Don't continue anymore, you've done enough work for today.
no pegar ni una
A Spanish slang phrase used when someone cannot do anything right or always makes mistakes. Examples Spanish: Estoy tan cansado que no pego ni una en el trabajo hoy. English: I'm so tired that I can't do anything right at work today.
no pegarse ni bailando
A phrase used to indicate that two things or people do not match or go together at all. It literally translates to 'they wouldn’t even stick together if they were dancing'. Examples Spanish: Carlos y María son tan diferentes, no pegan ni bailando. English: Carlos and Maria are so different, they wouldn't even stick together […]
no perderle ni pie ni pisá
A Spanish slang phrase used to indicate that someone is keeping a close eye on something or someone, not missing any details. Examples Spanish: Estoy tan preocupado por este proyecto que no le pierdo ni pie ni pisá. English: I am so worried about this project that I am keeping a close eye on it, […]
no quedarse alli
A phrase used to express the idea of not just standing by or not remaining inactive, but taking action in a situation. Examples Spanish: No te quedes allí, ven y ayuda con la mudanza. English: Don't just stand there, come and help with the move.
no quedarse sin bueyes para arar
This Spanish slang phrase is used to mean 'not running out of resources or alternatives'. It's a colloquial way to express the idea of always having a backup plan or other options to rely on. Examples Spanish: Aunque su negocio principal no está yendo bien, no se queda sin bueyes para arar porque tiene varias […]
no querer cuentas con nadie
To not want to deal with anyone, to want to be left alone or not want to have any kind of relationship or interaction with others. Examples Spanish: Estoy tan enfadado que no quiero cuentas con nadie. English: I'm so angry that I don't want to deal with anyone.
no quitarle el guante de la cara
This Spanish slang phrase literally translates to 'not removing the glove from the face'. It is used to refer to persistently bothering, nagging, or pressuring someone about something. Examples Spanish: Juan no le quita el guante de la cara a María para que le preste su coche. English: Juan is constantly nagging Maria to lend […]
no rendir promedio
A phrase used to denote not meeting the average or not living up to expectations, usually in an academic context. Examples Spanish: Juan no rindió promedio este semestre, sus notas fueron muy bajas. English: Juan didn't meet the average this semester, his grades were very low.