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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 |
|
pasado mañana |
past tomorrow, past morning |
the day after tomorrow, passing tomorrow |
|
el último grito |
the last scream? The last shout? |
the last cry, it’s the very latest in fashion. From French denier cri. |
|
no tiene chiste |
it has no joke |
it’s not interesting; it has nothing special; it’s boring; it’s too easy; it’s too simple |
| sin pelos en la lengua | with no hairs on the tongue | one who doesn’t mince his words, irreverent gossip. They have this expression in Italian too. |
| Estar de manteles largos |
to be of long tablecloths, to put the long tablecloths |
to celebrate a special occasion. |
| traer al mundo | to bring to the word | to give birth |
| dar a luz | to give to light, to give light | to give birth (also) |
| alumbrar : alumbramiento | to light, to illuminate | to give birth (as well): birth |
| La tercera edad | The third age | golden years |
| Nada que ver | Nothing to see | to be unrelated, to have nothing to do with |
Most expressions apply to all Spanish-speaking countries.
Originally published on 20100512. Latest update 20210518 (spanishNY.com) top
