Estar piripi
/es-TAR pee-REE-pee/
To be tipsy or slightly drunk in a cheerful way.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
'Piripi' is a funny-sounding word that doesn't literally mean anything, but it captures a dizzy, cheerful feeling.
In practice, 'estar piripi' means to be pleasantly tipsy, usually in a social setting.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Después de dos copas de vino, ya estoy un poco piripi.
B1After two glasses of wine, I'm already a bit tipsy.
Anoche en la fiesta todos terminamos medio piripi y nos reímos mucho.
B2Last night at the party we all ended up a bit merry and laughed a lot.
¿Quieres otra cerveza o ya estás piripi?
B1Do you want another beer or are you already buzzed?
📜 Origin Story
The exact origin of 'piripi' is a fun mystery! It's not a word with an ancient history but is what linguists call an 'expressive creation.' This means it was likely invented simply because it sounds fun and perfectly captures the light, dizzy, cheerful feeling of being just a little bit drunk. Some people think it might be inspired by the sound of birds ('pío pío'), suggesting a happy, flighty state of mind.
⭐ Usage Tips
For That Happy, Light Drunk Feeling
Use 'estar piripi' to describe the pleasant, initial stage of being drunk. It’s for being buzzed, not completely wasted. It implies you're in a good mood and enjoying yourself, making it perfect for informal social situations.
A Gentle and Friendly Term
This is a very gentle, almost cute way to talk about being tipsy. It's not judgmental at all. You can say it about yourself or a friend in a lighthearted way.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for Serious Drunkenness
Mistake: "Using 'estar piripi' to say someone is heavily drunk or has passed out."
Correction: 'Piripi' is exclusively for being slightly and often cheerfully drunk. For more serious states, you would use 'estar borracho' (to be drunk) or 'estar ebrio' (to be inebriated).
Using it Outside of Spain
Mistake: "Trying to use 'estar piripi' in most Latin American countries."
Correction: This is a very Spanish expression. While some people might understand it from movies, it's not used in Latin America. They have their own local slang like 'estar mareado' or 'estar entonado'.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and a classic colloquialism. Everyone understands it, and it's used across all age groups in informal contexts.
Latin America
Generally not used or understood. Most countries have their own preferred local slang for being tipsy.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Estar piripi
Question 1 of 1
If your friend says 'Estoy un poco piripi', how are they feeling?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'piripi' a real word?
Not in a formal dictionary sense! It's an example of an 'expressive creation' in language—a word invented simply because it sounds right for the feeling it describes. It's playful and only used in this specific expression.
Can I use 'estar piripi' in a formal situation?
It's best not to. This expression is strictly informal and colloquial. You'd use it with friends or family, but not with your boss or in a formal speech.