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Home » Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expressions » Page 8

El perfume bueno siempre viene en potes pequeños

This phrase is not really a slang, but a common saying in Spanish. It translates to 'Good perfume always comes in small bottles'. It is used to express that quality is not determined by size or appearance, often referring to people's abilities or characteristics. Examples Spanish: No subestimes a Maria por su baja estatura. Recuerda […]

El papel lo aguanta todo

A Spanish saying implying that words, promises, or written documents can be easily manipulated, twisted, or broken. It literally translates to 'paper can withstand anything', suggesting that anyone can write anything on paper, whether it's true or not. Examples Spanish: No creas todo lo que lees en ese contrato, recuerda que 'el papel lo aguanta […]

El ocio es la madre de todos los vicios

This phrase translates to 'Idleness is the mother of all vices'. It means that being idle or lazy can lead to bad habits or activities. Examples Spanish: Juan no ha buscado trabajo en meses. Ya sabes, el ocio es la madre de todos los vicios. English: Juan hasn't looked for a job in months. You […]

El muerto y el agregado a los tres días hieden

This Spanish slang phrase literally translates to 'The dead and the added one stink after three days.' It's used to refer to the idea that visitors are nice for the first few days, but they can become a nuisance if they stay too long. Examples Spanish: Mi primo ha estado en mi casa por una […]

El muerto después de tres días apesta

This phrase literally translates to 'The dead after three days stinks'. It is used to express the idea that overstaying your welcome or prolonging something can lead to discomfort or annoyance. Examples Spanish: Me gusta tener visitas en casa, pero como dice el dicho, 'el muerto después de tres días apesta'. English: I like having […]

El movimiento se demuestra andando

This phrase is used to express the idea that actions speak louder than words, or that one's actions demonstrate one's true intentions or abilities. Examples Spanish: No me cuentes que eres buen trabajador, el movimiento se demuestra andando. English: Don't tell me that you're a good worker, actions speak louder than words.

El mono sabe del palo al que trepa

This phrase literally translates to 'the monkey knows the tree he climbs'. It is used to express that someone knows very well what they are doing or what they are getting into, even though it may seem otherwise. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por Juan, él siempre toma riesgos pero recuerda que 'el mono sabe […]

El mentiroso debe tener buena memoria

This is not a slang term but a common saying in Spanish, which translates to 'A liar should have a good memory'. It means that if you lie, you should remember your lies to maintain consistency and avoid getting caught. Examples Spanish: No te conviene mentir sobre tus calificaciones, recuerda que 'el mentiroso debe tener […]

El mejor plato se deja para lo último

This phrase literally translates to 'The best dish is left for last.' It is used to express that the best or most important thing is often saved or reserved for the end or last moment. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, el mejor plato se deja para lo último, así que lo mejor de la fiesta […]

El ladrón se cree que todos son de su condición

This is a Spanish saying that translates to 'The thief believes everyone else is a thief'. It is used to indicate that people often project their own flaws or behaviors on others, assuming others act or think the same way they do Examples Spanish: No puedes desconfiar de todos solo porque tú eres desconfiado. Recuerda […]

El ladrón juzga por su condición

This phrase is not necessarily a slang, but a popular Spanish saying that means 'A thief judges by his condition'. It refers to the idea that people often project their own faults onto others because they assume others are like them. Examples Spanish: No confía en nadie porque siempre piensa que van a engañarlo. Como […]

El infierno está lleno de buenas intenciones

This phrase is not exactly slang, but rather a common saying or proverb in Spanish. 'El infierno está lleno de buenas intenciones' translates to 'Hell is full of good intentions'. It means that mere good intentions are worthless unless they are put into action, as good intentions alone can lead to negative outcomes. Examples Spanish: […]

El hombre es como el oso, mientras más feo más hermoso

This is a popular Spanish saying that translates to 'A man is like a bear, the uglier, the more beautiful'. It is often used to imply that physical attractiveness in men is not as important as their character or other qualities. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por tu apariencia, recuerda que 'el hombre es como […]

El hábito no hace al monje, pero lo distingue

This saying translates to 'The habit does not make the monk, but it distinguishes him.' It is used to express that the way someone dresses or appears doesn't define their personality or qualities, but it can give us certain clues or make them stand out from the rest. Examples Spanish: El lleva siempre traje y […]

El explotó como un siquitraque

A colloquial phrase used to describe someone who suddenly lost their temper or exploded in anger. 'Siquitraque' is a type of firecracker, so the phrase uses this imagery to depict the suddenness and intensity of the person's anger. Examples Spanish: Cuando Juan se enteró de lo que había pasado, el explotó como un siquitraque. English: […]

El dinero llama al dinero

This phrase literally translates to 'money calls money'. It is used to express the concept that wealth or opportunities attract more of the same. It is similar to the English saying 'money begets money' or 'the rich get richer'. Examples Spanish: No es sorpresa que Juan tenga tanto éxito en sus negocios, siempre dice que […]

El deber antes que el placer

This phrase is not slang, but a common saying in Spanish. 'El deber antes que el placer' translates to 'duty before pleasure'. It is used to express the idea that responsibilities and obligations should be fulfilled before engaging in enjoyable activities. Examples Spanish: No puedo ir a la fiesta esta noche, tengo que estudiar para […]

El cerdo siempre busca el fango

This Spanish slang phrase is used to refer to the idea that people often revert back to their habits or nature, no matter how much they try to change. The literal translation is 'The pig always seeks the mud'. Examples Spanish: María siempre vuelve con su ex, como dice el dicho, 'el cerdo siempre busca […]

El caballo malo hay que venderlo lejos

This phrase translates to 'You have to sell the bad horse far away.' It is used to refer to the idea that one should hide their problems or failures from those who are close to them to maintain a good reputation. Examples Spanish: No se lo cuentes a tu familia, recuerda que 'el caballo malo […]

El bien es enemigo del mal

This phrase is not exactly a slang, but rather a well-known proverb in Spanish. It translates to 'Good is the enemy of evil'. It means that good actions or intentions always oppose and aim to eliminate evil ones. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por las malas acciones de esa persona, recuerda que el bien es […]

El amor y el interés se fueron al campo un día y más pudo el interés que el amor que te tenía

This phrase is used to express the idea that someone prioritized their own interests over the love they claimed to have for someone else. It suggests that material or selfish concerns were stronger than their emotional feelings. Examples Spanish: Siempre decías que me amabas, pero al final, 'el amor y el interés se fueron al […]

El amor no se compra con dinero

Love cannot be bought with money Examples Spanish: Ella siempre decía a sus hijos, 'el amor no se compra con dinero, se gana con respeto y cariño'. English: She always told her children, 'love cannot be bought with money, it is earned with respect and affection'.

El amor lo perdona todo

This is not exactly a slang term but a Spanish phrase. 'El amor lo perdona todo' literally translates to 'Love forgives all'. It means that if you truly love someone, you can forgive them for anything they do. Examples Spanish: A pesar de todas las peleas y desacuerdos que tienen, él siempre dice que 'el […]

El amor es ciego, pero los vecinos no

This phrase translates to 'Love is blind, but the neighbors are not.' It is often used to describe a situation where a couple is oblivious to their issues or problems, but others (such as neighbors) can clearly see them. Examples Spanish: A pesar de las constantes peleas, Juan y Maria siguen juntos. Como dice el […]

El amor entra por la cocina

Literal translation is 'Love comes in through the kitchen'. This phrase is used to suggest that cooking for someone is a way to win their heart, or that the act of preparing and sharing food can bring people closer. Examples Spanish: Siempre he creído que el amor entra por la cocina, por eso trato de […]

Dos males no hacen un bien

This phrase literally translates to 'Two wrongs don't make a right'. It's used to express the idea that it is not acceptable to do something bad just because someone else did something bad to you. Examples Spanish: Robarle a alguien que te robó sigue siendo robo. Dos males no hacen un bien. English: Stealing from […]

Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva

This phrase literally translates to 'Two male crabs don't fit in the same cave' and it is used to express the idea that two strong personalities or leaders cannot coexist in the same environment without conflict. Examples Spanish: No invité a Juan y Pedro a la misma reunión porque dos jueyes machos no caben en […]

Dos cabezas piensan mejor que una

The literal translation is 'two heads think better than one.' Similar to its English counterpart, this Spanish slang is used to convey the idea that two people working together can solve problems faster than one person on their own. Examples Spanish: No puedo resolver este problema de matemáticas, necesito tu ayuda. Después de todo, dos […]

¿Donde va Vicente? Donde va la gente

A Spanish phrase which translates to 'Where Vicente goes, there go the people'. It's used to describe someone who just follows the crowd without thinking for themselves. Examples Spanish: Siempre haces lo que hacen todos los demás, ¿dónde va Vicente? Donde va la gente. English: You always do what everyone else does, where does Vicente […]

Donde pone el ojo, pone la bala

This Spanish slang phrase 'Donde pone el ojo, pone la bala' literally translates to 'Where he sets his eye, he places the bullet'. It's used to describe someone who is very focused and achieves whatever he/she sets his/her mind to. Examples Spanish: Juan es muy determinado, donde pone el ojo, pone la bala. English: John […]

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