colmo
“colmo” means “the last straw” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
the last straw
Also: the height of, the limit
📝 In Action
Perdí las llaves y ahora, para colmo, empezó a llover.
B1I lost my keys and now, to make matters worse, it started to rain.
¡Esto es el colmo! Llevo esperando una hora.
B1This is the last straw! I've been waiting for an hour.
Sería el colmo de la ironía que el bombero se quemara cocinando.
B2It would be the height of irony if the firefighter burned himself while cooking.
I fill
Also: I shower with / I overwhelm
📝 In Action
Siempre colmo mi café con mucha azúcar.
B2I always fill my coffee to the brim with lots of sugar.
Te colmo de regalos porque te quiero.
B2I shower you with gifts because I love you.
Si colmo el vaso, el agua se derramará.
B1If I fill the glass to the brim, the water will spill.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: colmo
Question 1 of 3
What does someone mean when they yell '¡Esto es el colmo!'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'culmen', meaning the summit, top, or highest point of something.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'colmo' always negative?
Usually, yes. When used as a noun, it almost always refers to reaching the limit of something annoying or ridiculous. However, the verb 'colmar' can be positive, like 'colmar de bendiciones' (to shower with blessings).
What is the difference between 'límite' and 'colmo'?
'Límite' is a general word for a boundary. 'Colmo' is more emotional and idiomatic; it's the point where a situation becomes unbearable or absurd.
Can I use 'colmo' to describe a mountain top?
While it comes from a word meaning 'summit', in modern Spanish you would use 'cima' or 'cumbre' for a physical mountain. 'Colmo' is for metaphorical peaks.