This is a popular Cuban phrase often used to express surprise, irony, or disbelief. The literal translation is 'Buddy, buddy, but the chicken is worth two reales.' It is used to point out that something is more complicated or difficult than initially thought.
Examples
- Spanish: 'Pensé que arreglar el coche sería fácil', 'Compay, compay, pero la gallina vale dos reales.'
- English: 'I thought fixing the car would be easy.' 'Buddy, buddy, but the chicken is worth two reales.' (It's not as easy as you think.)