Funny phrases in Spanish

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, September 5, 2024

Do you need a push to learn Spanish? Studying a language is like a roller coaster, it's a road full of ups and downs. Sometimes it can be very boring, but other times it can be the best thing in the world. It all depends on where you study, who teaches the Spanish course in Spain or the vocabulary you are learning.

So, to add some excitement to your Spanish adventure, you'll find 20 fun Spanish phrases in this Enforex article. Find out what these phrases mean and in what contexts they are used.

1. Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda

This expression means that no matter how much someone tries to change their appearance or act differently, their true nature will not change. For example: "María se compró un vestido carísimo para impresionar, pero ya sabes lo que dicen: aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda” (Maria bought an expensive dress to impress, but you know what they say: you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear).

2. Estar hasta las narices

A phrase often used in Spanish: “estar hasta las narices”. It means to be very fed up or tired of something, someone or a particular situation. Example: Estoy hasta las narices de que me pidas dinero y nunca me lo devuelvas" (I'm fed up with you asking me for money and never giving it back).

3. No hay moros en la costa

This phrase is used to indicate that there is no danger or that the situation is safe. Imagine an embarrassing scene happens to you at work, your coworkers may use this phrase to talk about it when they make sure you are not in front: "Podemos hablar ahora del accidente de ayer, no hay moros en la costa" (We can talk about yesterday's accident now, the coast is clear).

4. Se me hace la boca agua

This funny Spanish phrase is used when something looks or smells so delicious that it makes you want to eat it. For example: “Cuando vi el pastel de chocolate en la vitrina de la pastelería, se me hizo la boca agua” (When I saw the chocolate cake in the window of the bakery, my mouth was watering).

5. Estar entre la espada y la pared

The phrase “estar entre la espada y la pared” is used to indicate when you are in a difficult situation where any choice you make will have negative consequences. An example would be: "Si tomo ese trabajo, tendré que mudarme, pero si no lo hago, perderé una gran oportunidad para mi futuro laboral. Estoy entre la espada y la pared" (If I take that job, I will have to move, but if I don't, I will lose a great opportunity for my future career. I'm between a rock and a hard place).

6. Echar leña al fuego

“Echar leña al fuego” is a phrase used in Spanish that means to make an already problematic situation worse. In a real context, when two people are arguing, you might say: "No discutas con Juan ahora, solo vas a echar leña al fuego tras su discusión con Pedro" (Don't argue with Juan now, you're only going to add fuel to the fire after his argument with Pedro).

7. Poner los puntos sobre las íes

When you want to clarify an issue, define details or be precise in a conversation, you can use this fun phrase. For example: "Es hora de poner los puntos sobre las íes y aclarar lo que queremos en este proyecto" (It's time to dot the i's and cross the t's and clarify what we want in this project).

8. Tener un humor de perros

When someone is in a very bad mood and makes an angry face, this funny Spanish phrase is the one to use. An example: “No le hables ahora, tiene un humor de perros porque no durmió bien anoche" (Don't talk to him now, he's in a foul mood because he didn't sleep well last night).

9. Tener un corazón de oro

If you want to refer to someone very generous and kind, you can use this phrase. For example: "Aunque es muy estricto en su trabajo, tiene un corazón de oro y siempre está dispuesto a ayudarte" (Although he is very strict in his work, he has a heart of gold and is always willing to help you).

10. Dar en el clavo

“Dar en el clavo” means to get something right or to be completely correct. For example: "Tu idea para mejorar las ventas de la tienda dio en el clavo" (Your idea to improve store sales hit the nail on the head).

11. Se armó la gorda

When someone says “se armó la gorda”, they are referring to a situation in which there was a big fuss or conflict. For example: "Cuando descubrieron el engaño, se armó la gorda en la oficina" (When they found out about the cheating, all hell broke loose in the office).

12. Estar frito

This phrase has two meanings. The first is to be in serious trouble or to be exhausted, while the second is to be bored with a situation. For example:

• "Si no termino este informe a tiempo, estoy frito" (If I don't finish this report on time, I'm in serious trouble)
• “La clase de matemáticas es horrible, siempre estoy frito” (Math class is horrible, I'm always bored)

13. No hay tu tía

The funny Spanish phrase “no hay tu tía” means that there is no remedy or solution for a situation, that is, that something is unavoidable. For example: "El examen es mañana y no tengo justificante. No hay tu tía, tendré que hacerlo" (The exam is tomorrow, and I have no excuse. There's no solution, I'll have to do it).

14. Ser la oveja negra

“Ser la oveja negra” is used to refer to a member of a group who is different, usually in a negative sense. Example: "Siempre fui la oveja negra de mi familia porque no estudié para ser abogado" (I was always the black sheep of my family because I didn't study to be a lawyer).

15. Estar como pez en el agua

The phrase “estar como pez en el agua” is used when someone is very comfortable and in their environment in each or unexpected situation. Example: "Cuando cocina, está como pez en el agua" (When she cooks, she's so comfortable) o “Se sintió como pez en el agua en la fiesta de navidad del trabajo” (She felt secure at the Christmas party at work).

16. Estar hasta el cuello

“Estar hasta el cuello” indicates being very busy or in a complicated situation. A very similar expression to this one is “Estar con el agua hasta el cuello”, which also refers to when you are in a very complicated situation, and you don't see a solution.

Example: “No puedo salir hoy, estoy hasta el cuello de trabajo" (I can't go out today, I'm up to my neck in work) or “Los exámenes son la semana que viene y no he estudiado nada. Estoy con el agua hasta el cuello, no sé si aprobaré el trimestre” (The exams are next week, and I haven't studied at all. I'm up to my neck in water, I don't know if I'll pass the term).

17. Andarse por las ramas

This funny Spanish phrase is used to say that someone is not getting to the point and is talking about irrelevant things instead of addressing the subject directly. Example: "Deja de andarte por las ramas y dime de una vez qué pasó con el coche" (Stop beating around the bush and just tell me what happened to the car).

18. Tener más cara que espalda

If you want to describe someone who is brash and shameless, the phrase “tener más cara que espalda” is what you're looking for. Example: "No puedo creer que haya pedido un descuento cuando el encargado ya le ha rebajado un 50% del precio. Tiene más cara que espalda" (I can't believe he asked for a discount when the manager has already knocked 50% off the price. He's got more nerve than he has back).

19. Estar hecho polvo

When you are very tired physically or emotionally, you can use this phrase. Example: "Después de la mudanza, estaba hecho polvo y solo quería dormir" (After the move, I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep).

20. Dar la lata

Finally, the funny Spanish phrase “dar la lata” is used to describe someone who is annoying or nagging insistently. An example: "Deja de darme la lata con esa canción, ya la hemos escuchado mil veces hoy” (Stop pestering me with that song, we've already heard it a thousand times today).

Although these are just some of the funniest Spanish phrases, there are thousands of other Spanish expressions that you may find funny, amusing and easy to learn. Remember: studying a language doesn't have to be boring, and with Enforex you can make it happen.