An idiom is a common phrase which means something different from its literal meaning but can be understood because of their popular use. Idioms are made of normal words that have a special meaning known to almost everyone.”
Every language has its own idioms and Spanish isn’t the exception. For language learners, idioms tend to be a big challenge, as they can be deceiving expressions. It doesn’t matter how many vocabulary words you have learned, the meaning of idioms doesn’t depend on the meaning of their words but on the context and cultural background.
A proper use and a good understanding of idioms are signs of an advanced learner of the language. Studying Spanish idioms is a way to take your Spanish skills to the next level and dig deep into the most peculiar intricacies of the language.
Why Should Students Learn Idioms?
When learning a new language idioms can be very confusing. Particularly when you hear them for the first time from a native speaker. Think of the common expression in the English “Piece of Cake”.
“That test was a piece of cake!”
How confusing is the literal meaning? Why would a test literally be a piece of cake? Not that I would complain.. In a sense learning idioms is like learning new vocabulary words. Since the expressions have a meaning unrelated to their literal interpretation, language students will want to learn common idioms and commit them to memory to help speed up their road to becoming conversational.
Top 10 most common idioms that are easy to use in daily conversation:
SPANISH
ENGLISH (LITERAL)
ENGLISH (TRANSLATION)
1
Quien no arriesga, no gana
Who doesn’t risk, doesn’t win
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
2
Estar como una cabra
To be like a goat
To be crazy
3
No buscarle las pulgas al perro
Don’t look for fleas on the dog
Let sleeping dogs lie
4
Feliz como unas castañuelas
Happy as castanets
Happy as a clam
5
No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy
Don’t leave for tomorrow that which you can do today
Don’t put off till tomorrow what can be done today
6
Irse por las ramas
To go by the branches
To beat around the bush
7
Quien fue a Sevilla, perdidó su silla
He who went to Sevilla, lost his seat
You snooze, you loose
8
Hacer el mono
To do the monkey
To monkey around
9
Muchos generales para tan pocos soldados
Many generals for so few soldiers
Too many chiefs, not enough Indians
10
A caballo regalado no le mires el diente
A gifted horse, don’t look at the teeth
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Youtube Lessons
Spanish Idioms With Tener (l)
English
Spanish
to be cold
tener frío
to be Succeed , to have success
tener éxito
to be hot
tener calor
a to have the floor
tener la palabra
to be years olld
tener años
to want , to Desire
tener ganas
to be careful
tener cuidado
to take the blame, to be at fault
tener la culpa
to Be jealous
estar celosos
to be envious
tener envidia
to Have a (head) ache
tener dolor de cabeza
to be hungry
tener hambre
Spanish Idioms With Tener (ll)
English
Spanish
to be Afraid of , to have fear of
tener miedo de
to be ashamed
tener verguenza
to be lucky
tener suerte
to be in a rage , to be very angry
tener rabia
to take someone for , to consider someone to be
tener por
to be thirsty
tener sed
to look bad
tener mala cara
to have to do with
tener que ver con
to be in a hurry
tener prisa
to be sleepy
tener sueño
to have a lot / a little / something / nothing to do