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Home » Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expressions » Page 2

La práctica hace el maestro

The phrase 'La práctica hace al maestro' is a Spanish slang that translates to 'Practice makes the master.' This phrase means that by repeatedly doing something, one can become an expert or master in that area. Examples Spanish: Si quieres ser un buen músico, debes recordar que 'la práctica hace al maestro'. English: If you […]

La mujer es como el espejo, si se toca mucho se empaña

This phrase is not exactly a slang but a colloquial metaphor. It literally translates to 'a woman is like a mirror, if it is touched too much it fogs up'. It's often used to imply that if a woman is given too much attention or is overly pursued, she might lose interest or her appeal […]

La luna no es de queso ni se come con melao

A Spanish idiomatic expression that means 'things are not as easy or ideal as they seem.' It's often used to express skepticism towards too good to be true situations or unrealistic expectations. Examples Spanish: No te dejes engañar por su oferta de empleo, la luna no es de queso ni se come con melao. English: […]

La ley entra por la casa

This is a Spanish proverb which translates to 'The law enters the house'. It is used to express that rules or laws must be respected and followed, starting from one's own home. Examples Spanish: Los niños deben aprender desde pequeños que 'la ley entra por la casa', es decir, deben aprender a respetar las normas […]

La ley de Dios no tiene trampa

A phrase that literally translates to 'God's law has no trap.' It is used to express that there's no way to cheat or outsmart God's will or the natural laws of life. Examples Spanish: Por más que intentes evitar tus responsabilidades, la ley de Dios no tiene trampa. English: No matter how much you try […]

La lengua es arma de doble filo

A phrase used to express that words can be both beneficial and detrimental, similar to the English idiom 'A double-edged sword'. Examples Spanish: Ten cuidado con lo que dices, la lengua es arma de doble filo. English: Be careful with what you say, words are a double-edged sword.

La ignorancia es atrevida

This phrase literally translates to 'ignorance is daring' and is used to highlight when someone speaks or acts confidently about something they know little or nothing about. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre habla de política como si fuera un experto, pero nunca ha leído un libro sobre el tema. La ignorancia es atrevida. English: Juan always […]

La gota que colmó la copa

The phrase literally translates to 'the drop that overflowed the cup', and is equivalent to the English phrase 'the straw that broke the camel's back'. It is used to express the final event in a series of actions or occurrences that causes one's patience, tolerance, or good will to be exhausted. Examples Spanish: Después de […]

La gallina vieja da buen caldo

This Spanish slang literally translates to 'The old hen gives a good broth'. It is used to express that experience and wisdom often come with age, and that older people can provide good advice or have valuable skills because of their life experiences. Examples Spanish: No subestimes a tu abuela, recuerda que 'la gallina vieja […]

La fiebre no está en la sábana, está en el enfermo

This idiomatic phrase literally translates to 'The fever is not in the sheet, it's in the patient'. It is commonly used to express that a problem or issue lies with the person involved, not the situation or things around them. Examples Spanish: 'La fiebre no está en la sábana, está en el enfermo', dijo el […]

La fe mueve montañas

A popular saying that translates to 'faith can move mountains'. It is used to express that belief and determination can help you to overcome difficult situations. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, recuerda que la fe mueve montañas. Seguro que lo conseguirás. English: Don't worry, remember that faith can move mountains. You will surely achieve it.

La envidia es una mala consejera

This is a popular saying in Spanish that translates to 'Envy is a bad advisor'. It means that making decisions or judgments based on envy often leads to bad outcomes. Examples Spanish: No deberías odiar a tu hermano por su éxito. Recuerda, la envidia es una mala consejera. English: You shouldn't hate your brother for […]

La curiosidad mató al gato

This phrase is used to warn someone who is being overly curious or nosy. It translates directly to 'Curiosity killed the cat' in English. Examples Spanish: No preguntes más sobre eso, recuerda que 'la curiosidad mató al gato'. English: Don't ask more about that, remember that 'curiosity killed the cat'.

La culpa es tan fea que nadie quiere cargar con ella

This phrase is not actually slang, but a proverb. It translates to 'the blame is so ugly that nobody wants to carry it.' It is used to express the situation where nobody wants to take responsibility for a mistake or problem due to its negative consequences. Examples Spanish: El proyecto falló y todos se echan […]

La cuestión no es llegar, sino quedarse

The phrase 'La cuestión no es llegar, sino quedarse' literally translates to 'The question is not to arrive, but to stay'. It is a colloquial expression used to emphasize that the important thing is not to achieve something, but to maintain it. Examples Spanish: Ganó la lotería pero gastó todo el dinero en un año. […]

La carne no esta en garabatos por falta de gatos

This phrase is used to express that there is no lack of people capable or willing to do a certain job. It's similar to the English idiom 'there are plenty of fish in the sea'. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes si él no quiere trabajar con nosotros. La carne no está en garabatos por falta […]

La caridad empieza por casa

This phrase literally translates to 'charity begins at home'. It is used to express the idea that one's first responsibility is for the needs of their own family and friends before helping others. Examples Spanish: No puedo donar dinero para los necesitados en este momento. Como dice el refrán, la caridad empieza por casa. English: […]

La ausencia causa olvido

This phrase literally translates to 'absence causes forgetfulness', and it is used to express the idea that when someone or something is not around, you tend to forget them. Examples Spanish: No he hablado con mi viejo amigo en años. Supongo que 'la ausencia causa olvido'. English: I haven't talked to my old friend in […]

La agonía es larga pero la muerte es segura

A phrase used to express the inevitability of an event or end result, regardless of how long it may take. It directly translates to 'The agony is long but death is sure'. Examples Spanish: El proyecto es difícil y nos está llevando mucho tiempo, pero la agonía es larga pero la muerte es segura. English: […]

Irse con la música a otra parte

This phrase is used to tell someone to stop bothering or to leave you alone. It literally translates to 'go play your music somewhere else'. Examples Spanish: Si no te gusta lo que hacemos, puedes irte con la música a otra parte. English: If you don't like what we're doing, you can go play your […]

Irse como guineo en boca de vieja

This phrase literally translates as 'to go like a banana in the mouth of an old woman', and it's used to describe something that disappears or gets used up very quickly. It's a somewhat humorous and colloquial way to express this concept. Examples Spanish: Ese helado se va a ir como guineo en boca de […]

Ir contra viento y marea

To go against all odds, or to continue trying to do something despite difficulties. Examples Spanish: A pesar de todas las dificultades, él decidió ir contra viento y marea para lograr sus sueños. English: Despite all the difficulties, he decided to go against all odds to achieve his dreams.

Huele a sicote

A Dominican slang term that is typically used to suggest that someone is suspicious or not trustworthy. It is literally translated as 'smells like trouble' or 'smells fishy'. Examples Spanish: No confíes en él, ese tipo huele a sicote. English: Don't trust him, that guy smells fishy.

Hoy vivo, mañana muerto

A phrase expressing the idea of living in the moment, with the knowledge that life is unpredictable and can change or end at any time. The literal translation is 'today I live, tomorrow I'm dead'. Examples Spanish: 'Hoy vivo, mañana muerto', por eso siempre aprovecho cada momento. English: 'Today I live, tomorrow I'm dead', that's […]

Hoy por ti, mañana por mi

A Spanish phrase that translates to 'Today for you, tomorrow for me'. It is used to express the idea that today you are helping someone, and tomorrow they could be the one helping you, highlighting the importance of mutual help and reciprocity. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por ayudarme a mudarme, 'hoy por ti, mañana […]

Honor, a quien honor merece

This phrase is not slang, it's a common expression in Spanish that means 'honor to whom honor is due.' It is used to acknowledge someone's merit or good work. It is a way of giving credit to the person who deserves it. Examples Spanish: Juan ha trabajado arduamente en este proyecto. Honor, a quien honor […]

Hombre precavido vale por dos

This phrase literally translates as 'a cautious man is worth two.' It is used to express the idea that being careful and thinking ahead can prevent problems, essentially doubling one's value. Examples Spanish: Siempre lleva un paraguas en su coche, porque él cree que 'hombre precavido vale por dos'. English: He always carries an umbrella […]

Hijo eres, padre serás, según lo hiciste, así lo verás

This Spanish slang is a popular saying that translates to 'As you are a son, you will be a father, as you did, so you will see it'. It is used to imply that one's actions will have consequences, particularly, how children treat their parents may reflect on how they will be treated by their […]

Hijo de gato, caza ratón

This phrase literally translates to 'son of a cat, hunts mouse'. It is used to imply that a person will likely follow in their parents' footsteps or that certain traits are inevitable because they're inherited. Examples Spanish: Su padre es un gran músico, y él toca el piano maravillosamente. Como dice el dicho, hijo de […]

Hiciste como San Blas, comistes y te vas

This phrase is used to describe someone who leaves a place immediately after eating, without helping to clean up or spending time with others. It is similar to the English phrase 'eat and run'. San Blas refers to Saint Blas, who is associated with health and well-being in Spanish culture. Examples Spanish: Juan, no hagas […]

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