Admin
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 |
| el astro rey | the king star | the Sun. ( nickname). |
| el primer trimestre | the first trimester | first quarter. Used extensively in financial news. Although the word trimester exists in English, I have noticed not many people are familiar with it. |
| Jorge me cae gordo, Susana me cae bien gorda. Valentín me cae bien.(MX) | Jorge falls me fat, Susana falls me very fat. Susana falls me well. | I can’t stand Jorge, I can’t stand Susana. I like Valentín. Notice how bien takes two meanings, very and well, and it makes a big difference. |
|
ir de gorra |
to go wearing a cap |
to go to an event, but somehow you manage that others pay for you. You don’t pay from your own pocket. |
| ¡Tierra a la vista! | Land at sight | Land Ahoy! |
| cadena perpetua | perpetual chain | life sentence |
| taza del baño | bathroom cup | toilet bowl |
|
tirarle al blanco, darle al blanco |
to throw the white, to hit the white |
to hit the target |
|
vérselas negras |
to see (something on you, your hands, etc.) black. |
to struggle, to have a rough time of it |
| ¡aguas! (MX) | Waters! | Watch out!, Be careful! |
MX = Expression used in Mexico only, but remember that it represents one-third of all the Spanish-speaking population. Usually, when an expression is used in Mexico, it’s used in several countries in Central America as well.
Originally published on 20100903. Latest update 20210428 (spanishNY.com) top
