An idiomatic expression used when someone is extremely drunk. The literal translation is 'seeing green donkeys', indicating a state of hallucination or delusion due to excessive drinking. Examples Spanish: Después de tantas cervezas, Juan empezó a 'ver burros verdes'. English: After so many beers, Juan started 'seeing green donkeys'.
ver la luz
Realize the truth or gain a sudden understanding about something. Literally translates to 'see the light'. Examples Spanish: Después de muchos errores, finalmente vio la luz y entendió cómo hacerlo correctamente. English: After many mistakes, he finally saw the light and understood how to do it correctly.
vida del oso
A term used to describe a lazy or easy life, similar to the English phrase 'life of leisure'. Examples Spanish: Desde que ganó la lotería, él lleva una vida del oso sin preocupaciones. English: Since he won the lottery, he has been living a carefree 'vida del oso'.
viejo lobo
A term used to refer to someone who is experienced or wise, often in a specific field or life in general. It literally translates to 'old wolf'. Examples Spanish: Mi abuelo es un viejo lobo en los negocios, siempre sabe cómo obtener el mejor trato. English: My grandfather is an old wolf in business, he […]
vino navegado
A term used in Chile to refer to mulled wine, which is a warm, spiced wine often consumed in winter. Examples Spanish: Por la noche, nos sentamos alrededor de la chimenea disfrutando de un vino navegado. English: In the evening, we sat around the fireplace enjoying a mulled wine.
viva Chile
A patriotic expression used to express praise, love, or support for Chile. Literally translates to 'Long live Chile'. Examples Spanish: ¡Viva Chile! Hoy celebramos nuestra independencia. English: Long live Chile! Today we celebrate our independence.
volantín de cuero
An informal term used in Chile to describe a person who is astute, cunning, and able to adapt to any situation. Examples Spanish: Juan es un volantín de cuero, siempre sabe cómo salir de situaciones difíciles. English: Juan is a leather kite, he always knows how to get out of difficult situations.
voy a chanchar
A colloquial expression mainly used in Central America, especially in El Salvador, which means 'I'm going to sleep' or 'I'm going to take a nap'. Examples Spanish: Estoy muy cansado, voy a chanchar un rato. English: I'm very tired, I'm going to take a nap for a while.
Y bombale?
A phrase used in some Latin American countries, especially in Dominican Republic, to encourage someone to keep going or to do something with more energy. It's similar to saying 'come on' or 'give it your all' in English. Examples Spanish: '¡Vamos, equipo, y bombale!' exclamó el entrenador al final del partido. English: 'Come on, team, […]
Y que fué?
A colloquial term used in various regions of Latin America, primarily in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, that translates to 'What's up?' or 'What happened?' It is often used as a casual greeting or to inquire about a situation. Examples Spanish: Hola, ¿y qué fué? ¿Cómo estuvo tu día? English: Hello, what's up? How was […]
zapatear en una sola fonda
This phrase is used to describe a person who only goes to one place or sticks to what they know. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as visiting restaurants, dating, or even in business scenarios. Examples Spanish: A pesar de que hay muchos restaurantes en la ciudad, Juan siempre prefiere zapatear […]
zarpazo de puma
A Spanish slang phrase that literally translates to 'puma's swipe'. It is used metaphorically to describe a sudden, unexpected action or event that causes a significant impact or change. Examples Spanish: La noticia de su despido fue como un zarpazo de puma en su vida. English: The news of his dismissal was like a puma's […]
¿Que se teje?
This phrase is slang used primarily in Argentina and Uruguay, and it roughly translates to 'What's up?' or 'What's happening?'. It is used casually among friends to inquire about what is going on or what is new. Examples Spanish: Hola, ¿que se teje? English: Hi, what's up?
¿Te fijas?
A phrase used to ask someone if they understand, notice or realize something. It can also be used to emphasize a point. Examples Spanish: ¿Te fijas cómo siempre se le olvida traer el paraguas cuando llueve? English: Do you notice how he always forgets to bring an umbrella when it rains?
¿Y a mi que?
A phrase used to indicate indifference or disinterest, equivalent to 'What's it to me?' or 'Why should I care?' in English. Examples Spanish: ¿Perdió su trabajo? ¿Y a mí qué? English: He lost his job? What's it to me?
¿Y que huevada?
An expression used to show disappointment, annoyance, or dissatisfaction about a situation or event. It can be translated as 'What a drag' or 'What a nuisance'. Examples Spanish: Tengo que trabajar este fin de semana, ¿y que huevada? English: I have to work this weekend, what a drag!
prestar ropa
In Spanish slang, 'prestar ropa' is a colloquial expression referring to the act of allowing someone to take credit for something you did. Examples Spanish: Hice todo el trabajo pero mi compañero se llevó el mérito. No puedo creer que le presté mi ropa así. English: I did all the work but my colleague took […]
puente cortado
A phrase used to refer to a relationship that has ended abruptly or a situation that has no way forwards or backwards. Its literal translation is 'cut bridge'. Examples Spanish: Después de nuestra pelea, parece que tenemos un puente cortado entre nosotros. English: After our fight, it seems like we have a 'cut bridge' between […]
cuatro por cuatro
A phrase used to describe a person who is very direct, straightforward, or does things completely and without hesitation. Also used to describe a 4×4 vehicle. Examples Spanish: 1. Juan es un cuatro por cuatro, siempre dice lo que piensa. 2. Compré un coche cuatro por cuatro para el viaje. English: 1. Juan is a […]
culo a dos manos
A colloquial phrase used to describe a situation that is extremely difficult or troublesome, similar to the English expression 'a handful'. Literally, it translates as 'ass with two hands'. Examples Spanish: Este proyecto es un culo a dos manos, necesitamos más gente para manejarlo. English: This project is a handful, we need more people to […]
da lo mismo
A phrase used to express indifference, lack of preference, or that something doesn't matter. It literally translates to 'it gives the same'. Examples Spanish: ¿Quieres pizza o pasta para cenar? – Da lo mismo, estoy hambriento. English: Do you want pizza or pasta for dinner? – It doesn't matter, I'm hungry.
dale que las gallinas mean
An encouraging phrase primarily used in Argentina, which can be translated to 'go ahead' or 'keep going'. It's often used to urge someone to continue with their efforts or to encourage them to take action. Examples Spanish: Dale que las gallinas mean, no te rindas en el último esfuerzo. English: Keep going, don't give up […]
dar el filo
A phrase that means to ignore or avoid someone intentionally. It is commonly used in the context of social interactions, particularly when someone is being deliberately excluded or neglected. Examples Spanish: María está molesta con José, le está dando el filo. English: Maria is upset with Jose, she is ignoring him.
dar guaraca
A Venezuelan slang term which means to scare someone, to frighten, or to give someone a fright. Examples Spanish: ¡Deja de asustarme, siempre me das guaraca! English: Stop scaring me, you always give me a fright!
dar la lata
To bother or annoy someone, or to insist too much. Examples Spanish: Deja de dar la lata con ese tema, ya lo hemos discutido suficiente. English: Stop bothering about that topic, we've discussed it enough.
dar pelota
To pay attention to someone or flirt with someone, usually in a romantic context. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre le da pelota a María en la escuela. English: Juan always pays attention to Maria at school.
darle un chiquitito
A colloquial phrase used in Spain and some parts of Latin America, meaning to take a short nap or a little rest. Examples Spanish: Estoy cansado, voy a darle un chiquitito antes de continuar con mi trabajo. English: I'm tired, I'm going to take a short nap before I continue with my work.
darse un conchazo
To fall asleep or to take a nap, often suddenly or amidst activity Examples Spanish: Estaba viendo la televisión y me di un conchazo. English: I was watching TV and I fell asleep.
darse vuelta el mapa
A phrase used to denote when someone's circumstances or situation has drastically changed, often for the worse. Examples Spanish: Desde que perdió su trabajo, a Juan se le dio vuelta el mapa. English: Ever since he lost his job, Juan's world turned upside down.
de alla somos
A phrase used to express a common ground or shared situation. It means 'we are from there' and is often used to show understanding or empathy with someone's situation. Examples Spanish: ¿También trabajas los fines de semana? ¡De allá somos! English: You also work on weekends? We are from there too!