5 Common Expressions For Sounding Like A Spanish Native

Imagine you’re in a Spanish bar, it’s loud, but you can make out what people are saying. You can translate all the words, but none of them make sense. Well, that’s your first-hand experience with Spanish idioms.

Idioms are essential for speaking a language like a native. Idioms are expressions made up by natives that have a figurative meaning, rather than a literal one. There are thousands of them in Spanish-speaking countries, so we’ve selected some of them that are used the most.

1. “Ser pan comido”
   The literal translation is “to be bread eaten” and it means that something is very easy to do. The English equivalent of this is “a piece of cake”.• Ex. “El trabajo es pan comido” – “This job is a piece of cake”
2. “Tirar la casa por la ventana”
   This expression literally is translated as “to throw the house through the window”, meaning that no expense has been spared or that money is no object.
   • Ex. “Tiré la casa por la ventana cuando compré mi nuevo coche.” – “I spared no expense when I bought my new car”
3. “Estar más sano que una pera”
   Ever heard the expression “ fit as a fiddle”? Well that’s the English equivalent of this expression. When somebody looks very healthy and/or fit, you can use this in practice.
   • Ex. “Mi abuela tiene 75 años, pero está más sana que una pera.” – “My grandmother is 75 years old, but she’s fit as a fiddle.”
4. “Tener un humor de perros”
   “To have a mood of dogs”. Sounds weird? Well, Spanish-speaking people use this expression when they’re in a bad mood. Ironic, cause dogs are the happiest creatures in the world.
   • Ex. “Ellos tienen un humor de perros porque no aprobaron los exámenes en la universidad.” – “They are in a bad mood because they didn’t pass their exams at the university.”
5. “Echar agua al mar”
   When someone does something pointless or has no outcome of the activity they’re doing, you can use this expression. The literal English translation is “to throw water in the sea”, which actually makes a lot of sense.
   • Ex. “Tratar de convencerla es como echar agua al mar. Ella nunca va a cambiar.”- “Trying to convince her about something is pointless. She will never change.