Hablar por los codos
/ah-BLAR por los KOH-dohs/
To talk a lot; to be very chatty or talkative.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'to speak through the elbows'.
In reality, it means to be very talkative, like a 'chatterbox'.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Mi tía Ana habla por los codos, no pude decir ni una palabra en toda la tarde.
B1My aunt Ana talks a blue streak; I couldn't say a single word all afternoon.
Cuando se pone nervioso, empieza a hablar por los codos sin parar.
B1When he gets nervous, he starts talking non-stop.
¡Qué bien! Nos sentaron al lado de Carlos, que habla por los codos. La cena no será aburrida.
B2Great! They sat us next to Carlos, who's a chatterbox. Dinner won't be boring.
📜 Origin Story
The exact origin is a bit of a mystery, but the most popular idea is a visual one. Imagine someone so chatty and animated that they don't just talk with their mouth, but with their whole body! They gesture so much while speaking that it's as if their elbows are doing the talking too. The phrase paints a funny picture of someone whose entire body, even their joints, is involved in the act of non-stop talking.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the Chatterbox
Use this to describe someone who is very talkative, often in a friendly or slightly overwhelming way. It's perfect for describing that friend or family member who can dominate a conversation without meaning any harm.
It's often used with 'ser'
While you can say someone 'habla por los codos' (speaks through the elbows), it's very common to say someone 'es de los que hablan por los codos' (is one of those who speaks through the elbows) to describe it as a personality trait.
❌ Common Pitfalls
It's About Quantity, Not Quality
Mistake: "Thinking it means someone speaks eloquently or wisely."
Correction: This idiom is only about the amount of talking, not the content. Someone who 'habla por los codos' talks a lot, but what they say might be interesting or complete nonsense. The focus is purely on their talkativeness.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and used daily across all regions.
Latin America
Widely understood, but can be less common than in Spain. Some countries might prefer the longer version 'hablar hasta por los codos' or have their own local equivalents like 'hablar como una lora' (to talk like a parrot).
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Hablar por los codos
Question 1 of 1
If you say 'Mi amigo Juan habla por los codos', what do you mean?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'hablar por los codos' a negative thing to say about someone?
Not necessarily. It can be neutral or even affectionate, depending on the tone. You might say it lovingly about a bubbly, energetic friend. However, it can also be used to express that someone is annoyingly talkative and doesn't let others speak.