Here are 10 common random idioms you may have trouble with if you hear them for the first time:
Expression | Approximate literal translation (what you might think you actually heard) | Explanation |
deshuesadero (m) (MX) | what? hueso = bone. Unboner? Disboner? Bone ripper? | vehicle scrapyard, to sell used spare parts. |
¿será? | will it be? (Future of probability of ser) | Would it be possible? Could it be possible? I wonder if that’s the case. |
retomar su rumbo. | what? To retake one’s direction? | to get back on track. |
cayó el ladrón (el ladrón cayó) | What? the robber fell? | the robber was arrested. |
(yo) te disparo una hamburguesa. (MX) | what? I shoot you a hamburger? | Let me buy you a hamburger. |
dar un aventón (MX) / Pedir un aventón (MX) | what? | to give a ride / to hitchhike |
comprobante | what? | A document used to verify something. A receipt, invoice, bill, etc. |
¡manos a la obra! // mano de obra | hands to the work? | ¡manos a la obra! Let’s do it, let’s roll, let’s get down to work // mano de obra is very different, it means workforce, labor, manpower. |
te conviene | it’s convenient for you | either that, or it’s advisable for you. |
No tengo inconveniente con eso / no tengo ningún inconveniente. | what? I have no inconvenient? | It’s OK with me, I have no problem with that. |
Originally posted on 20110623. Latest update 20210423 (spanishNY.com) top