Spanish Love & Romance Idioms
Master 3 authentic Spanish expressions about love & romance with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish Love & Romance Idioms
Spanish love and romance idioms express the intensity and passion characteristic of Hispanic culture's approach to relationships. From "estar colado por alguien" (to be head over heels) to "dar calabazas" (to reject romantically), these expressions help speakers navigate the complex terrain of attraction, courtship, heartbreak, and commitment with cultural nuance.
When to Use These Expressions
Love idioms are used when discussing relationships, expressing feelings, describing romantic situations, and giving advice about love. They appear in personal conversations, songs, literature, and when discussing dating and marriage.
Learning Tips for Love & Romance Idioms
- Learn idioms for different stages: attraction, courtship, commitment, breakup
- Note the passionate, expressive nature of romantic Spanish
- Practice with telenovelas or romantic Spanish music for context
- Understand that Spanish expresses romance more openly than English
Most Common Love & Romance Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Poner los cuernos
★★★★★Literal: "To put the horns on"
Meaning: To be unfaithful to one's romantic partner; to cheat on someone.
Dar calabazas
★★★★☆Literal: "To give pumpkins"
Meaning: To reject a romantic advance; to turn someone down. It can also mean to fail someone in an exam.
Le tiró los galgos
★★★☆☆Literal: "He/she threw the greyhounds at him/her."
Meaning: To flirt with, hit on, or make a romantic pass at someone.
Complete List of Love & Romance Idioms
Dar calabazas
"To give pumpkins"
To reject a romantic advance; to turn someone down. It can also mean to fail someone in an exam.
Le tiró los galgos
"He/she threw the greyhounds at him/her."
To flirt with, hit on, or make a romantic pass at someone.
Poner los cuernos
"To put the horns on"
To be unfaithful to one's romantic partner; to cheat on someone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Love & Romance Idioms
What are popular Spanish love idioms?
Popular Spanish love idioms include "estar colado/a por alguien" (to be crazy about someone), "dar calabazas" (to reject someone), "tener mariposas en el estómago" (to have butterflies), "ser el amor de mi vida" (to be the love of my life), and "media naranja" (soulmate/better half). These express various aspects of romantic experience.
How do Spanish speakers express romantic interest?
Spanish speakers often use more passionate, direct idioms than English speakers. Expressions like "estar perdidamente enamorado" (to be madly in love) or "no poder vivir sin ti" (can't live without you) are common and accepted, reflecting cultural comfort with expressing strong romantic emotions.
Are Spanish love idioms different across regions?
While core expressions are universal, each Spanish-speaking region has unique romantic idioms. Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Caribbean countries all have distinctive ways of expressing love, though the most common idioms are understood everywhere. Regional variations add local color to romantic expression.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide.
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