Spanish Idioms from Spain
Master 29 authentic Spanish expressions about spain with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish Spain Idioms
These Spanish idioms are specific to Spain or particularly common in Spanish Spanish. From "ir de tapas" (to go bar-hopping for small plates) to Peninsular expressions, these idioms reflect the unique culture, history, and daily life of Spain. Understanding these helps you connect with Spanish speakers from España and appreciate regional linguistic diversity.
When to Use These Expressions
Spain-specific idioms are used throughout Spain in everyday conversation. While many are understood in Latin America, some may sound foreign or formal to Latin American speakers. They're essential if you're living in, visiting, or regularly communicating with people in Spain.
Learning Tips for Spain Idioms
- Note when idioms are Spain-specific vs. universal Spanish
- Learn the cultural context—many reference Spanish customs
- Understand vosotros forms if studying Spain Spanish
- Be aware that these may not be understood everywhere
Most Common Spain Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Comerse el coco
★★★★★Literal: "To eat one's coconut"
Meaning: To overthink, worry excessively, or rack one's brain about something.
Estar de mala leche
★★★★★Literal: "To be of bad milk"
Meaning: To be in a bad mood, irritable, or grumpy.
Liarla parda
★★★★★Literal: "To tie it brown"
Meaning: To cause a huge scene, to make a big mess, or to screw up big time.
Complete List of Spain Idioms
A cada cerdo le llega su San Martín
"To every pig comes its Saint Martin."
Everyone eventually gets what they deserve or faces the consequences of their actions; a day of reckoning will come.
Comerse el coco
"To eat one's coconut"
To overthink, worry excessively, or rack one's brain about something.
Comerse un marrón
"To eat a brown thing"
To be stuck with an unpleasant task, problem, or situation that nobody else wants.
Con la Iglesia hemos topado
"We have bumped into the Church"
To encounter a powerful, immovable obstacle or authority that cannot be overcome or reasoned with.
Cría fama y ponte a dormir
"Raise fame and go to sleep."
Once you've established a reputation (good or bad), it will stick with you, and people's perception of you is set. You don't need to do anything else to maintain it.
Dar calabazas
"To give pumpkins"
To reject a romantic advance; to turn someone down. It can also mean to fail someone in an exam.
Dar la vuelta a la tortilla
"To flip the tortilla"
To turn a situation around completely; to turn the tables.
De la Ceca a la Meca
"From the Ceca to the Meca"
To go from one place to another in a restless or hectic way; to go all over the place.
Dormir la mona
"To sleep the female monkey"
To sleep off a period of drunkenness; to sleep while drunk to recover.
Estar al loro
"To be at the parrot"
To be alert, aware, on the lookout, or in the know.
Estar como una regadera
"To be like a watering can"
To be crazy, eccentric, or out of one's mind in a quirky or silly way.
Estar de mala leche
"To be of bad milk"
To be in a bad mood, irritable, or grumpy.
Estar en Babia
"To be in Babia."
To be daydreaming, absent-minded, or not paying attention to your surroundings.
Estar en pelotas
"To be in balls"
To be completely naked or stark-naked. It can also mean to be completely clueless or ignorant about a subject.
Estar forrado
"To be lined / To be covered"
To be very rich, loaded with money.
Estar piripi
"To be piripi"
To be tipsy or slightly drunk in a cheerful way.
Estar sin blanca
"To be without white"
To be broke; to have no money at all.
Flipar en colores
"To flip out in colors"
To be completely amazed, mind-blown, or extremely surprised by something.
Hacerse el sueco
"To make oneself the Swede."
To play dumb, feign ignorance, or pretend not to understand or hear something to avoid a responsibility.
Ir a freír espárragos
"To go fry asparagus"
To tell someone to get lost, go away, or stop bothering you, usually out of annoyance.
Liarla parda
"To tie it brown"
To cause a huge scene, to make a big mess, or to screw up big time.
Meter baza
"To put in a trick (in cards)"
To chime in, join a conversation, or offer one's opinion, sometimes when it's not requested.
No pintar nada
"To not paint anything"
To have no business being somewhere; to be irrelevant, out of place, or have nothing to contribute.
Pasar una noche toledana
"To spend a Toledan night"
To have a terrible, sleepless night, often due to worry, noise, or discomfort.
Pasarse tres pueblos
"To pass three towns/villages."
To go way too far, to cross the line, to exaggerate, or to go over the top.
Ser más chulo que un ocho
"To be cooler/more cocky than an eight"
To be very cocky, arrogant, or stylish in a showy way. It can be used with admiration for someone's confidence or with criticism for their arrogance.
Tener mala leche
"To have bad milk"
To be in a bad mood, to be ill-tempered, or to do something with bad intentions.
Tener mucho morro
"To have a lot of snout"
To be shameless, cheeky, or to have a lot of nerve. It describes someone who acts in their own self-interest without embarrassment, often at the expense of others.
Tener salero
"To have a salt shaker"
To be charming, witty, graceful, or have a special spark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Spain Idioms
What makes Spain Spanish idioms different?
Spain Spanish idioms often reference Peninsular culture, history, and customs unfamiliar to Latin Americans. They may use vosotros forms, reference Spanish food like tapas, or include expressions from regional Spanish languages. While mutually intelligible, each region has distinctive expressions.
Should I learn Spain-specific idioms if I'm learning Latin American Spanish?
It depends on your goals. If you'll interact with Spaniards, learn them. If focusing on Latin America, prioritize universal or Latin American idioms. However, knowing regional variations improves comprehension of Spanish media, literature, and diverse Spanish speakers.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide or explore our learning resources.
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