Estar como una regadera

/es-TAR KOH-moh OO-nah reh-gah-DEH-rah/

To be crazy, eccentric, or out of one's mind in a quirky or silly way.

Level:B2Register:InformalCommon:★★★★☆

💡 Understanding the Idiom

Literal Translation:

"To be like a watering can"

What It Really Means:

To be crazy, eccentric, or out of one's mind in a quirky or silly way.

English Equivalents:

To have a screw looseTo be off one's rockerTo be mad as a hatterTo be nutty as a fruitcake

🎨 Literal vs. Figurative

💭 Literal

Literally, this means 'to be like a watering can'.

✨ Figurative

The actual meaning of 'estar como una regadera', showing a person doing something quirky and fun.

In practice, it means someone is eccentric or acting a bit crazy.

Key Words in This Idiom:

regadera

📝 In Action

Mi abuela se puso a bailar con la escoba. ¡Está como una regadera, pero la queremos mucho!

My grandmother started dancing with the broom. She's nuts, but we love her dearly!

¿De verdad vas a ir a la boda en zapatillas de deporte? Tienes que estar como una regadera.

Are you really going to the wedding in sneakers? You must be off your rocker.

Se le ocurrió pintar su coche de rosa y amarillo. Su mujer le dijo que estaba como una regadera.

He had the idea to paint his car pink and yellow. His wife told him he was crazy.

📜 Origin Story

The most charming theory behind this idiom relates to the spout of a watering can, which is full of holes (the 'rose'). The expression compares a person's head to this spout, suggesting their ideas are 'leaking' out all over the place without any logic or control, just like water sprinkling everywhere. It paints a picture of a mind that doesn't hold onto thoughts properly, leading to scattered, 'crazy' behavior.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use it Affectionately

This phrase is almost always used in a lighthearted, informal, and often affectionate way. It's for describing someone's quirky, eccentric, or silly behavior, not for a serious medical diagnosis. Think of it as calling someone a 'silly goose' or 'a character'.

Always with 'Estar'

This idiom is a description of a state or behavior, so it always uses the verb 'estar' (to be). Using 'ser' would imply that being crazy is a permanent, defining characteristic, which changes the meaning and sounds unnatural with this phrase.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Not for Serious Situations

Mistake: "Using 'estar como una regadera' to describe someone with a genuine mental health condition."

Correction: This would be very insensitive. The idiom is strictly for informal, humorous situations. In a serious context, you should use precise, respectful language, not colloquialisms.

🌎 Where It's Used

🇪🇸

Spain

Extremely common, classic, and widely understood by all ages. It's a hallmark of informal Spanish speech.

🌎

Latin America

Much less common. While some people might understand it due to media exposure, it's not a native idiom. Most countries have their own preferred expressions, like 'estar loco/a' or 'faltarle un tornillo'.

🔗 Related Idioms

↔️Similar Meanings

faltarle un tornillo

To have a screw loose.

estar como una cabra→

To be crazy (literally, 'to be like a goat').

írsele la olla

To lose one's mind, to go off the rails (literally, 'for the pot to go away from someone').

⇆Opposite Meanings

estar en su sano juicio

To be in one's right mind.

tener la cabeza sobre los hombros

To have one's head on one's shoulders; to be sensible.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Estar como una regadera

Question 1 of 1

If your Spanish friend tells you 'estás como una regadera', what is the most likely reason?

🏷️ Tags

HumorHouse & HomeCommonly UsedSpain

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'estar como una regadera' an insult?

It can be, but it's usually not a harsh one. It's more of a playful jab among friends or family. The tone of voice and context are key. It's generally used with a smile to point out someone's lovable eccentricity.

Can I use this phrase in a formal setting, like at work?

It's best to avoid it. This is a very informal, colloquial expression. Using it in a professional or formal context would sound out of place and potentially unprofessional.