4L: Spanish study pack

Show 8 more expressions

dar por culoto be a pain in the arse, to bother, to pester

vulgar

Used to express that someone or something is deeply annoying or troublesome. Often interchangeable with 'fastidiar' or 'jorobar' in tone, but far more forceful. Not directed at a person as a dismissal (that would be 'vete a tomar por culo'); instead describes the effect of a thing or person.

Deja de dar por culo con lo mismo, ya te hemos dicho que no.Stop being such a pain in the arse about the same thing, we've already told you no.

cuatro latasbanger, old jalopy, beat-up car (literally 'four tin cans')

colloquial

Affectionate or dismissive term for a very old or cheap vehicle. The number 'cuatro' is idiomatic, it does not literally mean four. Tone shifts between fond and derogatory depending on who says it.

Llegó al trabajo en un cuatro latas que echaba más humo que una chimenea.He arrived at work in an old banger that was smoking more than a chimney.

tiradoleft stranded, abandoned, dirt cheap (context-dependent)

colloquial

Most commonly 'dejar tirado' = to leave someone stranded or in the lurch. Separately, 'estar tirado' can mean something is ridiculously easy or very cheap. The two meanings are completely distinct and context makes them clear.

Me dejó tirada en la estación y tuve que volver sola a casa.He left me stranded at the station and I had to get home on my own.

venir de puta madreto suit perfectly, to be just what was needed, to come in very handy

vulgar

Positive expression despite containing an insult. 'De puta madre' on its own also means 'brilliant' or 'fantastic'. Very common in informal speech to say something is ideal or has worked out perfectly.

Una siesta de veinte minutos ahora mismo me vendría de puta madre.A twenty-minute nap right now would be absolutely perfect.

el paloa blow, a setback, rejection

colloquial

Used metaphorically to mean a disappointment, a knock-back, or a refusal, for example being turned down for a loan, a job, or a request. Literally means 'stick' or 'blow'.

Nos dieron el palo en el banco y tuvimos que buscar otro financiador.The bank turned us down and we had to look for another investor.

porritojoint (cannabis cigarette)

colloquial

Diminutive of 'porro'. Widely understood and very common in informal speech. The diminutive form softens the word slightly without changing the meaning.

Encontraron un porrito en la mochila durante el control de seguridad.They found a joint in the rucksack during the security check.

diarrea galopantegalloping diarrhoea, severe and sudden stomach upset

colloquial

'Galopante' literally means 'galloping' and is used as an intensifier with certain conditions to suggest rapid onset and severity. The combination is used humorously in everyday speech.

Comió algo en mal estado y pasó el día siguiente con una diarrea galopante.He ate something off and spent the next day with a terrible stomach upset.

sinvivirconstant worry, a life of anxiety, no peace

colloquial

A noun formed from 'sin' + 'vivir'. Used to describe a situation or period characterised by chronic stress, worry, or discomfort. Often preceded by 'es un' or 'tiene un'.

Con tantas deudas encima, tiene un sinvivir que no le deja dormir.With so many debts piling up, he has a constant anxiety that won't let him sleep.

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