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Home » Cuba Spanish Slang Expressions » Page 2

ser como el arroz blanco

A phrase used to describe someone or something as plain, boring, or uninteresting. It literally translates to 'being like white rice'. Examples Spanish: Juan es como el arroz blanco, no tiene nada interesante que contar. English: John is like white rice, he has nothing interesting to tell.

ser de ampanga

This phrase does not appear to be a recognized or commonly used term in any major Spanish-speaking region. It may be a typo or a very localized term. Always ensure to use regionally-accepted language for clear communication. Examples Spanish: No es posible proporcionar un ejemplo ya que 'ser de ampanga' no se reconoce como una […]

ser tu maletín

A phrase used to express that something is your own business or problem. It is usually used to tell someone to mind their own business or handle their own issues. Examples Spanish: Si quieres ir a la fiesta y no estudiar para el examen, eso es ser tu maletín. English: If you want to go […]

ser un chusma

To be uncouth, vulgar, or lacking in manners or good taste. It is commonly used in Latin America to describe a person who behaves rudely or disrespectfully. Examples Spanish: No invites a Juan a la fiesta, él siempre se comporta como un chusma. English: Don't invite Juan to the party, he always behaves like a […]

ser un disco rayado

To repeat the same thing over and over, similar to a scratched record that skips and repeats the same part. Examples Spanish: Deja de ser un disco rayado, ya entendí tu punto. English: Stop being a broken record, I already understood your point.

se le está cerrando el cuadro

A colloquial phrase used in some Hispanic cultures to suggest that someone is getting confused, losing clarity, or their situation is getting complicated. Examples Spanish: A Juan se le está cerrando el cuadro con tantas deudas que tiene. English: Juan's situation is getting complicated with all the debts he has.

retama de guayacol

The term 'retama de guayacol' doesn't seem to be a recognized slang term in Spanish. It might be a specific regional phrase or a misinterpretation of two different terms. 'Retama' is a type of plant and 'guayacol' is a chemical compound. Please verify the term. Examples Spanish: N/A English: N/A

saber más que las cucarachas

A Spanish slang phrase that literally translates to 'know more than cockroaches'. It is used to describe someone who is very knowledgeable or clever, often in a sarcastic or humorous way. Examples Spanish: Ese chico siempre saca las mejores notas, sabe más que las cucarachas. English: That boy always gets the best grades, he knows […]

sacarse el hígado

A figurative expression which translates to 'to work extremely hard' or 'to give everything you've got'. It is used when someone is putting a great amount of effort into something, as if they are working so hard they could 'take out their liver'. Examples Spanish: Mi hermano se está sacando el hígado estudiando para sus […]

sacarse la rifa del guanajo

An idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of drawing the short straw, ending up in an unfavorable or difficult situation, or taking responsibility for something unpleasant. Examples Spanish: A Juan le tocó sacarse la rifa del guanajo y se quedó trabajando hasta tarde. English: Juan drew the short straw and had to stay working […]

salir de la pinga

A Cuban slang phrase meaning 'to be extremely drunk' or 'to be in a terrible or bad state'. Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta de anoche, Juan salió de la pinga. English: After last night's party, Juan was extremely drunk.

quedarse para vestir santos

This phrase is used to refer to someone, usually a woman, who is getting older and is still single, implying that she will never marry and will end up dressing saints, as done traditionally by unmarried women in churches. Examples Spanish: María tiene 40 años y aún no se ha casado, parece que se va […]

querer meter La Habana en Guanabacoa

This Cuban phrase is used to describe the action of trying to do something impossible or trying to fit too many things into a small space. It refers to the idea of trying to fit the whole city of Havana (La Habana) into a small town called Guanabacoa, which is obviously impossible. Examples Spanish: No […]

rayar la pintura

A colloquial phrase used to express when someone is getting on your nerves or annoying you. Examples Spanish: Juan no deja de hablarme sobre su nueva dieta, realmente está rayando la pintura. English: Juan won't stop talking to me about his new diet, he's really getting on my nerves.

ponerse curda

A Spanish slang term primarily used in Argentina that refers to getting drunk or intoxicated. Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta, todos se pusieron curda. English: After the party, everyone got drunk.

ponerse en tres y dos

An idiomatic expression used when someone is getting ready or preparing for something, particularly for a challenging or serious situation. Examples Spanish: Ya me están presionando en el trabajo, me estoy poniendo en tres y dos. English: I'm being pressured at work, I'm getting ready for a challenging situation.

ponérsela en China

A Spanish slang phrase, 'ponérsela en China', is typically used in Colombia and it means to make something very difficult or almost impossible for someone. It is often used to describe a challenging situation or task. Examples Spanish: Si Juan sigue comportándose de esa manera, su madre le va a poner la vida en China. […]

ponerle la tapa al pomo

This phrase is a Cuban slang term that means to put an end to a situation, or to close a chapter in your life. It can also imply the act of having the last word in a conversation or argument. Examples Spanish: Después de muchos años de lucha, finalmente logró su objetivo y le puso […]

perder calabaza y miel

An idiom that literally means 'to lose pumpkin and honey.' This phrase is used to describe a situation where a person loses both their main and secondary objectives or advantages. Examples Spanish: Al final, Juan perdió calabaza y miel, ya que no consiguió el trabajo y también perdió la oportunidad de trabajar en otro lugar. […]

pasarle lo mismito que a Chacumbele

This phrase is Cuban slang, used when someone suffers the consequences of their own actions, similar to the English saying 'what goes around, comes around'. It refers to a famous Cuban song about a character named Chacumbele, who killed himself by his own hand. Examples Spanish: Si sigues jugando con fuego, te va a pasar […]

paticas pa’ que te quiero

A sarcastic expression used when someone is leaving and you are pleased or indifferent about it. It literally means 'little legs, for what I want you', implying that you want them for leaving. Examples Spanish: Ya se va Juan, pues paticas pa’ que te quiero. English: Juan is leaving, well, little legs, for what I […]

pedir botella

A Spanish slang term that literally translates to 'ask for a bottle'. However, it is commonly used to refer to the act of hitchhiking or asking for a ride. Examples Spanish: No tengo dinero para el autobús, así que voy a pedir botella para llegar a casa. English: I don't have money for the bus, […]

pegar la gorra

A Spanish slang phrase that literally translates to 'stick the cap', but it is commonly used to refer to the action of someone staying to sleep at another person's house unexpectedly or without prior notice. Examples Spanish: Juan se quedó sin dinero para el taxi, así que decidió pegar la gorra en casa de Pedro. […]

pegar los tarros

To cheat on someone, particularly in a romantic relationship. Examples Spanish: Juan sospecha que su novia le está pegando los tarros. English: Juan suspects that his girlfriend is cheating on him.

parece que no moja, pero empapa

A phrase used to describe someone who might seem innocent or harmless, but actually has a strong influence or impact. It's similar to the English phrase 'still waters run deep'. Examples Spanish: María parece que no moja, pero empapa. Ella es muy influyente en nuestra comunidad. English: Maria might not seem like much, but she […]

parecer un disco rayado

Used to describe someone who repeats the same thing over and over, similar to a scratched record playing the same part repeatedly. Examples Spanish: Siempre hablas de lo mismo, pareces un disco rayado. English: You always talk about the same thing, you sound like a broken record.

partirle el brazo

A Spanish slang phrase literally meaning 'to break someone's arm'. It is often not used literally but figuratively to express the idea of defeating someone in a competition or argument. Examples Spanish: Voy a jugar ajedrez con Juan mañana. ¡Voy a partirle el brazo! English: I'm going to play chess with Juan tomorrow. I'm going […]

partirle pá arriba

A colloquial phrase often used in Latin American countries like Chile and Peru, 'partirle pá arriba' generally means to aggressively confront or attack someone physically or verbally. Examples Spanish: Si ese tipo sigue molestando a mi hermana, voy a tener que partirle pá arriba. English: If that guy keeps bothering my sister, I'm going to […]

pasar como un bólido

The phrase 'pasar como un bólido' is a Spanish slang term that translates to 'pass like a meteor/bolt'. It is often used to refer to someone or something moving very fast or happening too quickly. Examples Spanish: El coche pasó como un bólido por la carretera. English: The car passed like a bolt through the […]

no jodas

An informal term in Spanish that is often used to express disbelief, surprise or annoyance. It can be translated as 'you're kidding', 'no way', or 'stop messing around' depending on the context. Examples Spanish: ¿Ganaste la lotería? ¡No jodas! English: You won the lottery? No way!

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