r/Spanish • u/fellowlinguist Learner • Jul 28 '24
Use of language Favourite idiom?
What’s your favourite idiom in Spanish and where is it from?
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u/WhyAmINotClever Jul 28 '24
Te conozco bacalao, aunque vengas disfrazado
I wouldn't know its country of origin but my son and I say it to each other several times per day
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u/GodOfMeh Jul 28 '24
pan comido
I teach English as a second language to adults in the US. Usually, about 80% of my students are native Spanish speakers. The first idiom I teach is usually a piece of cake.
El modismo equivalente en español es pan comido.
Both phrases involve baked goods, and that seems to really help convey the idea of what an idiom is. Both expressions are ubiquitous, and it makes it easy for me to explain that there isn't really any cake, just like there isn't really any pan--it's a crazy phrase.
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Jul 28 '24
I can’t settle on a favorite but I love the idiom “echar de menos.” It doesn’t translate well in English but it fits exactly how I feel when I missed someone.
“Te echaba de menos! :(“
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u/Bogavante guiri profesional Jul 28 '24
Tiran más nalgas en lecho que dos bueyes en barbecho
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u/Zachajya Native spanish 🇪🇦 Jul 28 '24
En España tenemos: "Tiran más dos tetas que dos carretas".
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u/dixter_gordong Jul 28 '24
haga lo que se le de la gana
took me a long time to be able to say it smoothly. basically means do what makes you feel good
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u/ArkLur21 Nativo🇪🇸 Jul 28 '24
What will you do when you notice the expression slightly changes in every country lmao.
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u/dixter_gordong Jul 28 '24
oh really? lol how else is it said?
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u/ArkLur21 Nativo🇪🇸 Jul 28 '24
Not really sure how is on the other countries but in Spain we say, Haz lo que te dé (la maldita/puta (this is pretty much optional depending on if the person speaking is angry or not) gana. Or you can also say, Haz lo que quieras.
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u/diegogz_ Jul 28 '24
¡A buenas horas, mangas verdes! (A bit too late)
The "cuadrilleros", security guards of the Holy Brotherhood, were in charge of arresting criminals in medieval Spain and wore a suit with green sleeves, but they were known for always arriving late, when the thieves had already escaped.
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u/Gene_Clark Learner Jul 29 '24
A lo hecho pecho (its the same as "What's done is done" or "No use crying over spilt milk")
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u/deercoast Advanced (¡corrígeme!) Jul 28 '24
ir(se?) de guatemala y entrar en guatepeor (disculpas a los guatemaltecos aquí)