A proverb implying that if someone is not active or alert, they will be taken advantage of or lose their opportunity. Translated literally, it means 'A crocodile that falls asleep becomes a wallet'. Examples Spanish: No te quedes sin hacer nada, recuerda que cocodrilo que se duerme es cartera. English: Don't just sit there doing […]

A colloquial term used in some Latin American countries to refer to a large and heavy dictionary. The term literally translates to 'donkey killer', suggesting the weight and size of the book. Examples Spanish: Necesito mi mataburros para entender algunas palabras en este libro. English: I need my 'donkey killer' (large dictionary) to understand some […]

'Si es mudo explota' is a Spanish slang phrase which literally translates to 'If he is mute, he explodes'. It is used to describe someone who talks a lot or cannot keep a secret. Examples Spanish: No le cuentes nada a Juan, si es mudo explota. English: Don't tell anything to Juan, if he were […]

A slang term used in Mexico, 'moronga' refers to a type of blood sausage. In a colloquial context, it can also mean nonsense or something of no value. Examples Spanish: 1) Me encanta la moronga con arroz. 2) Deja de hablar morongas y dime la verdad. English: 1) I love blood sausage with rice. 2) […]

A small grocery store or market, particularly in Central and South America. It often sells a wide variety of goods, and can be seen as a community hub. Examples Spanish: Necesito ir a la pulpería a comprar arroz y frijoles. English: I need to go to the pulpería to buy rice and beans.

This is a Spanish phrase equivalent to the English saying 'you snooze, you lose'. It's used to express that if someone leaves their place or position, they risk losing it to someone else. Examples Spanish: Juan, recuerda que 'el que se va para Aguadilla pierde su silla y el que de Aguadilla viene su silla […]

This is a saying rather than a slang term, which translates to 'He who laughs alone remembers his own wickedness'. It refers to someone who is amused by their own wrongdoings or mischievous acts. Examples Spanish: Cuando José sonrió después de romper el jarrón, su madre le dijo: 'El que se ríe a sola de […]

This phrase is used to imply that if someone gets annoyed or defensive in a situation, it's because they feel guilty or know that they are in the wrong. It literally translates to 'the one who gets stung is because they eat chili [garlic]'. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre se enfada cuando hablamos de su novia. […]

This slang phrase literally translates to 'He who eats the meat must also eat the bone.' It is typically used to express the idea that if you enjoy the benefits of a situation, you must also deal with its problems or consequences. Examples Spanish: Si decides casarte con él, recuerda: 'El que se come la […]

This Spanish saying translates literally as 'he who gets married, wants a house'. It is used to suggest that when someone takes on new responsibilities, they should be prepared to deal with all the associated tasks or obligations. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre ha sido un soltero empedernido, pero ahora que ha conocido a Ana, dice […]

A Spanish saying that literally translates to 'He who gets married, for his house.' It is used to express the idea that once someone gets married, their priorities shift towards their own family/home. Examples Spanish: No esperes que Juan siga viniendo a todos los juegos de fútbol con nosotros, ya sabes, el que se casa […]

This Spanish slang term is usually used to express that someone who offers help or volunteers usually has more than enough capabilities or resources. It can also mean that anyone who is willing to give is someone who has plenty. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por Juan, siempre ayuda a todos. Como dice el dicho, […]

This phrase stands for 'He who laughs last, laughs best.' It implies that final success is more significant than temporary setbacks or early achievements. Examples Spanish: Perdí el primer set del partido de tenis, pero gané al final. El que ríe último ríe mejor. English: I lost the first set of the tennis match, but […]

A Spanish slang phrase which translates to 'he who wants to, can.' It is typically used to convey the idea that if someone really wants to achieve something, they will find a way to do it. Examples Spanish: No te rindas con tus sueños. Recuerda, el que quiere puede. English: Don't give up on your […]

A phrase used to imply that to achieve something valuable or fulfilling, one must put in effort or make sacrifices. It translates to 'He who wants the sky blue, must work for it.' Examples Spanish: No puedes esperar tener un buen trabajo sin estudiar. Como dice el dicho, 'El que quiere azul celeste, que le […]

A popular saying in Spanish that translates to 'He who perseveres triumphs.' It is used to motivate or encourage someone to keep trying and not give up in order to achieve their goals. Examples Spanish: Aunque el camino sea difícil, recuerda que 'el que persevera triunfa'. English: Even though the path is difficult, remember that […]

A colloquial phrase that literally translates to 'the one who pays, gets the credit'. This means that the person who pays for something has the right to make decisions or call the shots. Examples Spanish: Vamos a ir al cine, pero como yo soy 'el que paga se acredita', yo decido la película. English: We're […]

This Spanish saying translates to 'he who pays what he owes, knows what he has'. It means that only when you fulfill your obligations, can you truly know and appreciate what is yours. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre paga sus deudas a tiempo, él entiende bien 'el que paga lo que debe, sabe lo que tiene'. […]

This phrase literally translates to 'He who doesn't have a cow, doesn't drink milk.' It is a slang phrase often used to mean 'You have to have resources or means to obtain something.' Examples Spanish: No puedo comprar ese coche de lujo. Como dice el dicho, 'el que no tiene vaca, no bebe leche'. English: […]

This phrase literally translates to 'He who has not done, has not suspected.' It is used to imply that people who don't engage in wrong practices aren't usually suspicious of others. It's similar to the English phrase, 'A thief believes everybody steals.' Examples Spanish: Pedro siempre desconfía de los demás. Ya sabes lo que dicen, […]

This phrase literally translates to 'he who doesn't leave the house, doesn't know what's happening'. It's a Spanish saying used to express that people who don't venture out and experience the world will have a limited understanding of life or what's going on in the world. Examples Spanish: No puedes quedarte siempre en tu zona […]

A saying that signifies 'those who don't ask don't get', indicating that if one doesn't express or show their needs, they will not be fulfilled. Examples Spanish: Si no pides un aumento, nunca lo recibirás. Como dicen, 'el que no llora no mama'. English: If you don't ask for a raise, you'll never get it. […]

This phrase literally translates to 'He who doesn't do it at the entrance, does it at the exit.' It is used to mean that if someone doesn't do something correctly at the beginning, they will have to correct it at the end. Examples Spanish: Si no estudias bien para tu examen, tendrás que retomarlo. Como […]

This phrase literally translates to 'God doesn't hear the one who doesn't speak'. It is a popular Spanish saying used to encourage people to speak up for what they want or need, as silence won't get them anywhere. Examples Spanish: Si quieres un aumento de sueldo, debes pedirlo. Recuerda, el que no habla, Dios no […]

This phrase literally translates to 'He who doesn't take advice, doesn't get old'. It's a way of saying that if you don't listen to advice or learn from others, you may not live long or succeed in life. Examples Spanish: Siempre le decía a mi hermano, 'el que no coge consejos, no llega a viejo', […]

This phrase is not exactly a slang, but a popular saying in Spanish, which means 'He who doesn't learn, it's because he doesn't want to'. It's used to express that when someone doesn't learn or understand something, it's not due to a lack of resources or opportunities, but due to their own lack of interest […]

A phrase literally translated as 'he who needs, searches.' It is used to express that those who are in need or want something will take the initiative to look for it. Examples Spanish: No voy a ayudar a Juan a encontrar un nuevo trabajo. Como dice el dicho, 'el que necesita busca'. English: I'm not […]

This phrase is used to express that everyone's destiny is pre-determined and people will inevitably become what they are meant to be. Examples Spanish: Aunque intentó evitar seguir el negocio familiar, al final se demostró que el que nace para toro del cielo le caen los cuernos. English: Even though he tried to avoid following […]

This phrase is used to express that a person who is born with certain characteristics or in a certain condition, will hardly change throughout their life. Examples Spanish: Siempre ha sido muy tacaño, ya sabes lo que dicen 'el que nace para chavito prieto nunca llega a vellón'. English: He has always been very stingy, […]

This is a popular saying in Spanish that literally translates as 'He who is born to be a firefighter, his hat falls from the sky.' It is used to express the idea that everyone has a predetermined destiny or path in life, and the necessary tools or abilities for it will come naturally. Examples Spanish: […]