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Home » Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expressions » Page 5

Es el mismo perro con otro collar

This phrase is used to denote a situation where something or someone appears to have changed, but in reality, remains the same. It literally translates to 'It's the same dog with a different collar'. Examples Spanish: Aunque cambiaron al gerente del proyecto, es el mismo perro con otro collar. English: Even though they changed the […]

Es de clavo pasado

A phrase used to describe a situation, event or thing that is old news, outdated, or no longer relevant. Examples Spanish: Ya no te preocupes por eso, es de clavo pasado. English: Don't worry about that anymore, it's old news.

Es como un ciego guiando a otro ciego

This phrase literally translates to 'it's like a blind man leading another blind man.' It is used to describe a situation where a person who doesn't know much about a subject is trying to guide or teach someone else about the same subject. Examples Spanish: Si yo te enseño física cuántica, es como un ciego […]

Es como el perro del hortelano, que ni come ni deja comer

This is a Spanish proverb used to describe a person who neither enjoys something themselves, nor lets others enjoy it. Its literal translation is 'He is like the dog in the manger, who neither eats nor lets others eat.' Examples Spanish: Luis es como el perro del hortelano, que ni come ni deja comer. No […]

Es como buscar una aguja en un pajar

This phrase is equivalent to the English expression 'like looking for a needle in a haystack'. It refers to something that is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to find because it is lost in a sea of similar things. Examples Spanish: Encontrar a una persona honesta en la política es como buscar una aguja en […]

Éramos muchos y parió la abuela

A Spanish idiom used to describe a situation that was already complicated and then something happens to make it even more complicated. It literally translates to 'We were many and grandmother gave birth'. Examples Spanish: Ya teníamos problemas con el proyecto y, para colmo, el jefe nos ha dado más trabajo. ¡Éramos muchos y parió […]

Encontrarse con la horma de su zapato

This phrase is used to describe a situation where a person meets someone who challenges them or is their match. It means 'to meet your match' in English. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre se salía con la suya hasta que se encontró con la horma de su zapato en María. English: Juan always had his way […]

En vida de matrimonio, ni soso ni salado

This phrase is used to advise moderation in marriage. It suggests that in married life, neither indifference (soso) nor excess (salado) is beneficial. Examples Spanish: Si quieres un matrimonio feliz, recuerda: en vida de matrimonio, ni soso ni salado. English: If you want a happy marriage, remember: in married life, neither bland nor salty.

¿En que mundo vive?

This phrase translates to 'In what world does he/she live?' It is used to express disbelief or confusion about someone's actions, decisions, or perspectives, suggesting they are out of touch with reality. Examples Spanish: ¿En qué mundo vive? No se da cuenta de la gravedad de la situación. English: In what world does he live? […]

En la vida todo tiene remedio, menos la muerte

This phrase is not exactly a slang, it's more of a popular saying. It literally translates to 'In life, everything has a remedy, except death.' The phrase means that every problem or situation, no matter how bad, can be solved or improved in some way, except death, which is irreversible. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes […]

En la unión está la fuerza

This is not a slang term, but a common phrase in Spanish which translates to 'In unity, there is strength'. It means that goals can be achieved more easily as a group rather than individually. Examples Spanish: Si queremos ganar este partido, debemos trabajar juntos. Recuerda, en la unión está la fuerza. English: If we […]

En la boca del embustero lo cierto se hace dudoso

A saying that translates to 'In the liar's mouth, even the truth becomes doubtful.' It means that when someone is known for lying, even their truthful statements are distrusted. Examples Spanish: Juan miente tanto que, en la boca del embustero lo cierto se hace dudoso. English: Juan lies so much that, in the liar's mouth, […]

En guerra avisada no muere gente

This phrase is used to indicate that if people are warned about a potential danger or problem in advance, they're unlikely to suffer consequences. It's similar to the English saying 'forewarned is forearmed'. Examples Spanish: Tienes que estar preparado para el examen final, recuerda que 'en guerra avisada no muere gente'. English: You have to […]

En el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es rey

This phrase literally translates as 'In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.' It is used to express the idea that even someone with limited abilities or resources can be dominant among those who have even less. Examples Spanish: No es que Juan sea un genio en matemáticas, simplemente en el país […]

En cualquier sitio se cuecen habas

This phrase literally translates to 'beans are cooked anywhere', but is used to mean that problems or difficulties can happen everywhere or in any situation. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por cambiar de trabajo, en cualquier sitio se cuecen habas. English: Don't worry about changing jobs, problems can happen anywhere.

En casa de herrero cuchillo de palo

This phrase is a proverb used to express the irony of situations where professionals do not apply their skills or expertise to their personal life. Literally translated, it means 'In the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife.' Examples Spanish: Mi padre es chef profesional pero nunca cocina en casa. Como dice el dicho, 'en casa de […]

En boca cerrada no entran moscas

This phrase is used to suggest that it’s sometimes better to remain silent to avoid trouble. The literal translation is 'Flies don’t enter a closed mouth'. Examples Spanish: Te recomiendo que no hables de eso más. Recuerda que en boca cerrada no entran moscas. English: I recommend not talking about that any more. Remember, flies […]

El vago trabaja doble

A phrase used to convey the idea that a lazy person ends up working twice as much, due to their initial lack of effort or organization. Examples Spanish: Estudia ahora para el examen, no seas como Pedro. Ya sabes, el vago trabaja doble. English: Study now for the exam, don't be like Pedro. You know, […]

El trabajo no mata a nadie

A phrase used to emphasize that work does not kill anyone, meaning that working hard won't harm you but instead could be beneficial. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por las horas extra, recuerda que el trabajo no mata a nadie. English: Don't worry about the overtime, remember that work doesn't kill anyone.

El tiempo que se va no vuelve

This phrase, literally translated to 'the time that goes doesn't come back', is a way to express that time once passed cannot be regained or recovered. It's often used to emphasize the importance of making good use of time, or to express regret over wasted time. Examples Spanish: Deberías estudiar para el examen ahora mismo. […]

El tiempo lo cura todo

An expression used to mean 'Time heals everything'. It is often said to someone who is going through a hard time or suffering from a loss or heartbreak, suggesting that things will get better as time goes on. Examples Spanish: Sé que estás pasando por un mal momento, pero recuerda que el tiempo lo cura […]

El tiempo es oro

A Spanish idiom which literally translates to 'time is gold'. It is used to express the idea that time is a valuable resource, so it's better to do things as quickly as possible. Examples Spanish: No puedo quedarme más tiempo en esta reunión, el tiempo es oro y tengo mucho que hacer. English: I can't […]

El remedio es peor que la enfermedad

This phrase literally translates to 'The remedy is worse than the disease.' It is commonly used when the solution to a problem ends up being worse than the problem itself. Examples Spanish: No quiero que arregles mi computadora, la última vez el remedio fue peor que la enfermedad. English: I don't want you to fix […]

El que vive de ilusiones muere de desengaños

This phrase is often used to express the notion that those who live in dreams or unrealistic expectations tend to face disappointment and disillusionment. Examples Spanish: No puedes seguir pensando que vas a ganar la lotería y resolver todos tus problemas, recuerda que 'el que vive de ilusiones muere de desengaños'. English: You can't keep […]

El que vive bien, muere bien

This phrase is not necessarily a slang, but rather a common saying in Spanish which means 'He who lives well, dies well'. It emphasizes the idea that if you live a good, fulfilling life, you will have a peaceful death. Examples Spanish: No se preocupe por las riquezas materiales, recuerde que 'el que vive bien, […]

El que venga atrás que arree

This Spanish slang roughly translates to 'Whoever comes behind, picks up'. It is used to express that whoever comes next will have to deal with whatever is left behind or the consequences of previous actions. Examples Spanish: No vamos a limpiar después de la fiesta. El que venga atrás que arree. English: We're not going […]

El que tiene tienda que la atienda, o si no que la venda

This Spanish slang phrase literally translates to 'He who has a store must attend to it, if not, he should sell it.' It is typically used to express that if you have responsibilities, you need to take care of them, otherwise you should let them go. Examples Spanish: Si no puedes dedicarle tiempo a tu […]

El que tiene padrino se bautiza

This phrase literally translates to 'He who has a godfather gets baptized'. It is used to indicate that having connections or influences can help you achieve things easier. It's similar to the English saying, 'It's not what you know, but who you know'. Examples Spanish: Mario consiguió el trabajo en la empresa de su tío. […]

El que tiene nariz no manda a oler

A saying that translates as 'the one who has a nose doesn't send someone else to smell.' It means that if you are capable of doing something, you should not ask others to do it for you. Examples Spanish: Si puedes hacer la tarea tú mismo, ¿por qué estás pidiéndome a mí que la haga? […]

El que solo se rie de sus picardias se acuerda

This phrase is not exactly slang, but a traditional saying or proverb. It roughly translates to 'he who only laughs at his own mischief remembers it'. It suggests that a person who enjoys their own tricks or wrongdoings is likely to recall them due to the pleasure they derived. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre se está […]

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