5 idioms to sound like a local!

Firstly, what is an idiom? 

An idiom is a phrase or expression thats meaning isn’t clear from the literal definitions of the individual words, but instead comes from shared cultural understanding. These expressions—like “break a leg” (which actually means “good luck”)—are important for sounding natural and fluent in a language, and they often reflect particular cultural or historical backgrounds.

Here are 5 commonly used idioms in everyday speech in Spain...

1. Tomar el pelo (“toh-mahr ehl peh-loh”)

= To pull someone’s leg (making a joke)

(Literally translates to ‘To take the hair’)

Eg. Solo te estoy tomando el pelo= I’m only messing with you.

 

2. Ser pan comido (“sehr pahn koh-mee-doh”)

= To be a piece of cake

(Literally translates to ‘To be bread eaten’)

Eg. Esto es pan comido= This is a easy of cake (really easy!)

 

3. Estar como una cabra (“ehs-tahr koh-moh oo-nah kah-brah”)

= To be a little crazy

(Literally translates to ‘To be like a goat’)

Eg. Estás como una cabra= You’re crazy

 

4. No tener pelos en la lengua (“noh teh-nehr peh-lohs ehn lah lehng-gwah”)

= To tell it like it is

(Literally translates to ‘Not to have hairs on the tongue’)

Eg. No tiene pelos en la langua= He/She is telling it like it is!

 

5. Estar sin blanca (“ehs-tahr seen blahn-kah”)

= To be broke (money)

(Literally translates to ‘To be without white’)

Eg. Estoy sin blanca= I’m broke/I don’t have any money

 

Why not try and use one of these expressions on your next holiday. You'll be sure to impress the locals!