Idiomatic expressions are an integral part of any language, and Spanish is no exception. Spanish idioms not only add color and flair to the language but also help learners to sound more like native speakers. In this article, you will find a comprehensive list of some of the most common and popular Spanish idioms, their meanings, and examples of usage. You’ll also learn how AmazingTalker can help you improve your Spanish language skills with personalized, one-on-one classes.
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Why Learn Spanish Idioms?
Idiomatic expressions are phrases that don’t make sense when translated literally but are widely used by native speakers in everyday language. Learning Spanish idioms can help learners to:
Express themselves more naturally when speaking Spanish
Understand native speakers better
Increase their vocabulary and knowledge of the language
Add personality and character to their language skills
List of Spanish Idioms
Here are 50 popular Spanish idioms, along with their meanings and examples of usage:
| Idiom | Literal Meaning | Actual Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente | Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth | Don’t criticize something that’s given to you for free | Me regalaron una camiseta aunque no me gusta, pero a caballo regalado no se le mira el diente |
| Caerse el mundo encima | The world is falling on top of me | To feel overwhelmed or stressed out | Me estoy estresando mucho con el trabajo, siento como si se me cayera el mundo encima |
| Dar en el clavo | Hit the nail on the head | To be correct or accurate | Adivinaste, diste en el clavo con tu respuesta |
| Echar agua al mar | Pour water into the sea | To do something pointless or useless | Estoy estudiando mucho hoy, pero siento que es echar agua al mar |
| Hacer la vista gorda | To turn a blind eye | To ignore something intentionally | Siempre hace la vista gorda con los errores de sus hijos |
| Ir al grano | Cut to the chase | To get to the point | No me gusta perder el tiempo hablando de cosas innecesarias, vamos al grano |
| Llover a cántaros | To rain in jugs | To rain heavily | Esta lloviendo a cántaros, mejor esperamos un poco antes de salir |
| Meter la pata | Put your foot in your mouth | To make an embarrassing mistake | Lo siento mucho, metí la pata al decir eso |
| No tener pelos en la lengua | To not have hairs on your tongue | To speak your mind freely | Me gusta cómo habla, no tiene pelos en la lengua |
| Ponerse las pilas | To put on the batteries | To get to work or focus harder | Necesito ponerme las pilas si quiero terminar este trabajo hoy |
These are just a few examples of Spanish idiomatic expressions that are used frequently in everyday conversations. You can see that the literal meaning of these expressions may not make sense, but the actual meaning contextualizes this.
Categorization of Idioms
Idioms can be categorized in different ways, such as everyday conversations, life, funny, food, weather, and Mexican Spanish. Here are some examples:
Everyday Conversations
Ir de culo – To be in a hurry
Dar la lata – To be annoying
Hacer la pelota – To flatter someone
Tener ojos en la nuca – To be aware of everything that’s going on
Life
Coger el toro por los cuernos – To take the bull by the horns
Echar raíces – To put down roots
Tomar el pelo – To pull someone’s leg
Poner los puntos sobre las íes – To be precise and clear
Funny
Tener más tijeras que el barbero – To be a cheapskate
Ser la leche – To be great or the best
Estar como un cabra – To be crazy or insane
Tener mala leche – To be in a bad mood
Food
Ponerse las botas – To eat a lot
Ser pan comido – To be easy, like a piece of cake
Llevarse el gato al agua – To win or succeed
Dar la espalda – To ignore or turn your back
Weather
Echar un capote – To lend a hand or give support
Echar un cable – To help or assist someone
Estar en la luna – To be absent-minded or distracted
Dar en el clavo – To be accurate or correct
Mexican Spanish
Estar en chino – To be difficult to understand
Andar con la finta – To be suspicious or distrustful
No tener madre – To be rude or impolite
¡Órale! – Let’s go! or hurry up!
Practicing Spanish Idioms
Learning Spanish idioms is just a start, but practicing them is important to incorporate them into your daily life. You can use them in your conversations with Spanish-speaking friends or even while undertaking online Spanish courses.
Conclusion
Learning Spanish idiomatic expressions is not only fun, but it also makes you sound more natural and fluent in the language. By understanding the actual meaning behind the idiom, you will be able to communicate more effectively with native speakers. Online learning platforms like AmazingTalker offer customized lessons with native Spanish speakers, making it easy for learners to improve their language skills and practice using idioms in everyday conversations. Sign up for online Spanish classes with AmazingTalker and experience personalized one-on-one teaching.
