El Ministerio del Tiempo S02E11: Spanish study pack

Show 6 more expressions

quinquipetty delinquent / low-level criminal; scruff (connotation of social marginality)

colloquial

Originally referred to itinerant traders (quinquilleros); evolved into a label for people perceived as rough, delinquent, or of low social standing. Carries a distinctly retro flavour, strongly associated with the 1970s–80s.

Con esa chaqueta de cuero y esa actitud parecía un quinqui de película.With that leather jacket and that attitude, he looked like a movie delinquent.

chaladonutcase / loony / mad

colloquial

Affectionate or dismissive depending on tone. Can be used fondly ('he's a bit of a character') or disparagingly ('he's completely unhinged').

Ese vecino está un poco chalado pero en el fondo es muy buena persona.That neighbour is a bit of a nutcase but deep down he is a very good person.

cantar victoriato celebrate prematurely / to count your chickens

colloquial

Idiom meaning to declare success before it is secured. Almost always used in the negative ('no cantes victoria') as a warning.

Todavía no cantes victoria; faltan los resultados del último trimestre.Don't celebrate just yet, the results from the last quarter are still missing.

pasarse de castaño oscuroto go too far / to be beyond the pale

colloquial

Idiom expressing that something has exceeded acceptable limits. The colour imagery ('dark chestnut') refers to a range from acceptable (light) to outrageous (dark). Common in conversational protest.

Que te llegues tarde es una cosa, pero que ni avises ya pasa de castaño oscuro.Arriving late is one thing, but not even letting anyone know is really going too far.

molabait was cool / it was great (past)

colloquial

Past imperfect of molar, a verb meaning 'to be cool / to appeal'. Used to express nostalgic approval. Very common in informal speech across generations.

Esa banda molaba un montón cuando éramos adolescentes.That band was really cool when we were teenagers.

apretónurge / pressing need (to go to the toilet)

colloquial

Literally 'a squeeze/tightening'; in this context euphemistically refers to an urgent need to use the bathroom. Also used for a firm handshake in other contexts, register and co-text distinguish meanings.

Me dio un apretón en mitad del partido y tuve que salir corriendo al baño.I got an urgent urge in the middle of the match and had to run to the bathroom.

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