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Home » Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expressions » Page 6

El que siembra espinas que no espere cosechar flores

This phrase literally translates to 'he who sows thorns should not expect to harvest flowers.' It is used to mean that one's actions dictate their results, similar to the English phrase 'you reap what you sow.' Examples Spanish: No puedes tratar mal a todos y esperar que te traten bien. Recuerda, el que siembra espinas […]

El que se va para Rincón pierde su sillón

A Spanish saying equivalent to 'You snooze, you lose' in English. It conveys the idea that if you leave your position or opportunity unattended, someone else can take it. Examples Spanish: Juan dejó su trabajo por un mes para viajar, cuando volvió, ya habían contratado a alguien más. Como dice el dicho, 'el que se […]

mejor muerta que sencilla

A Spanish phrase that literally translates to 'better dead than plain'. It is used to express the idea that it's better to make an effort to look good, stylish or impressive rather than being simple or not standing out. Examples Spanish: María siempre se viste muy elegante para las fiestas. Para ella, mejor muerta que […]

pim pam pum

An onomatopoeic phrase used to indicate a quick and easy process, or something happening swiftly without hassle. It can also refer to a chaotic situation or a rapid-fire exchange of dialogue or action. Examples Spanish: Hice la tarea en un pim pam pum, no fue nada difícil. English: I did the homework in a 'pim […]

apiarse

A colloquial term used mainly in Spain, 'apiarse' means to get off or to get out of a vehicle, such as a bus, train, car, etc. Examples Spanish: Llegamos a nuestro destino, es hora de apiarse del autobús. English: We have arrived at our destination, it's time to get off the bus.

teipe

A Spanish slang term originated in Venezuela, 'teipe' is a term used to refer to 'tape', specifically adhesive tape or sticky tape. Examples Spanish: Pásame el teipe para pegar este cartel en la pared. English: Pass me the tape to stick this poster on the wall.

tuanis

A term used in Costa Rica to describe something that is cool, good, or nice. Examples Spanish: ¡Esa camisa está muy tuanis! English: That shirt is very cool!

mondonguitos

In Spanish slang, 'mondonguitos' refers to small pieces or remains of something. It can also be used to refer to small problems or troubles. Examples Spanish: Limpia todos los mondonguitos que has dejado en la sala después de comer. English: Clean up all the little bits and pieces you left in the living room after […]

bollitos

In the context of slang, 'bollitos' is a term used in Venezuela to refer to an attractive young woman. It is important to note that it can be considered disrespectful and objectifying in certain contexts. Examples Spanish: ¡Mira esos bollitos en la playa! English: Look at those attractive young women on the beach!

cocodrilo que se duerme es cartera

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 […]

mataburros

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

'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 […]

moronga

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) […]

pulpería

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.

El que se va para Aguadilla pierde su silla y el que de Aguadilla viene su silla tiene

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 […]

El que se ríe a sola de su maldad se acuerda

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 […]

El que se pica es porque ají [ajo] come

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. […]

El que se come la carne que se coma también el hueso

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 […]

El que se casa, casa quiere

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 […]

El que se casa para su casa

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 […]

El que se brinda se sobra

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, […]

El que ríe último ríe mejor

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 […]

El que quiere puede

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 […]

El que quiere azul celeste, que le cueste

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 […]

El que persevera triunfa

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 […]

El que paga se acredita

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 […]

El que paga lo que debe, sabe lo que tiene

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'. […]

El que no tiene vaca, no bebe leche

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: […]

El que no tiene hechas no tiene sospechas

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, […]

El que no sale de casa, no sabe lo que pasa

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 […]

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