Spanish Money & Wealth Idioms
Master 11 authentic Spanish expressions about money & wealth with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish Money & Wealth Idioms
Spanish money and wealth idioms reflect cultural attitudes toward finances, prosperity, and economic status. Expressions like "estar sin blanca" (to be broke) and "costar un ojo de la cara" (to be very expensive) are essential for discussing business, shopping, and economic situations naturally. These idioms appear in everything from market negotiations to corporate presentations.
When to Use These Expressions
Money idioms span formal business contexts to casual conversations about prices and purchases. They're crucial for understanding financial news, discussing salaries, negotiating prices, and talking about personal finances in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Learning Tips for Money & Wealth Idioms
- Learn the difference between formal business idioms and casual money talk
- Practice idioms related to both wealth and poverty—balance is key
- Understand historical context: many reference old currency systems
- Use these in role-play scenarios like shopping or salary negotiations
Most Common Money & Wealth Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Costar un ojo de la cara
★★★★★Literal: "To cost an eye of the face"
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Tirar la casa por la ventana
★★★★★Literal: "To throw the house out the window"
Meaning: To spend a lot of money lavishly, especially on a celebration or a large purchase; to spare no expense.
Caer el veinte
★★★★☆Literal: "For the twenty to fall."
Meaning: To finally realize or understand something; for the penny to drop.
Complete List of Money & Wealth Idioms
Caer el veinte
"For the twenty to fall."
To finally realize or understand something; for the penny to drop.
Chaucha y palitos
"Green bean and little sticks"
For a very small amount of money; for next to nothing; for peanuts.
Costar un ojo de la cara
"To cost an eye of the face"
To be very expensive.
Estar forrado
"To be lined / To be covered"
To be very rich, loaded with money.
Estar sin blanca
"To be without white"
To be broke; to have no money at all.
Hacer el agosto
"To make the August"
To make a lot of money quickly, often by taking advantage of a specific situation; to make a killing.
Las cuentas claras conservan la amistad
"The clear accounts preserve the friendship."
Being clear and transparent about money or obligations between friends is the best way to avoid arguments and maintain a good relationship.
Parar la olla
"To stop the pot."
To earn enough money to live; to provide for oneself or one's family; to make ends meet.
Ponerse las botas
"To put on the boots"
To indulge, feast, or profit greatly from a situation; to have a field day.
Romper el chanchito
"To break the little pig"
To break open a piggy bank; to spend one's savings, often on something special or for an emergency.
Tirar la casa por la ventana
"To throw the house out the window"
To spend a lot of money lavishly, especially on a celebration or a large purchase; to spare no expense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Money & Wealth Idioms
What are the most useful Spanish money idioms for business?
Essential Spanish money idioms for business include "costar un ojo de la cara" (to be very expensive), "tirar la casa por la ventana" (to spare no expense), "estar sin blanca" (to be broke), and "nadar en la abundancia" (to be very wealthy). These expressions are commonly used in business negotiations and financial discussions.
How do you talk about being broke in Spanish?
Common Spanish idioms for being broke include "estar sin blanca" (literally "to be without a white coin"), "estar sin un duro" (to not have a penny), and "no tener ni un peso" in Latin America. These expressions are widely understood and used in everyday conversation.
Are Spanish money idioms different in Latin America?
Some Spanish money idioms vary between Spain and Latin America due to different historical currencies. For example, Spain uses "euro" or "duro" references, while Latin American countries reference "peso," "plata," or local currencies. However, many idioms like "costar un ojo de la cara" are universal.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide.
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