36 Funny Spanish Phrases and Their Literal Translations

While Spanish is often praised for its musical rhythm and romantic flair, it also has a playful, humorous side that might catch you by surprise. Spanish speakers use colorful idioms, clever wordplay, and some rather amusing literal translations in their everyday conversations. If you're ready to add some flair to your Spanish vocabulary, here are 39 funny Spanish phrases you need to know.

How Can Funny Spanish Phrases Help with Fluency?

Incorporating humor into your language learning isn’t just fun—it’s also incredibly effective. Funny Spanish phrases introduce you to cultural nuances and colloquial expressions, which are key to sounding more like a native Spanish speaker. When you learn idiomatic or humorous phrases, you naturally engage with the language on a deeper level, picking up on tone, wordplay, and Spanish grammar. This makes your conversations feel more authentic and spontaneous.

Plus, funny phrases are often easier to remember. When a phrase makes you laugh or surprises you with its English equivalent, it sticks in your mind longer than simple vocabulary. To help you practice using your favorite funny Spanish phrases, download Tandem and match with a native Spanish speaker today.

36 Funny Spanish Phrases to Start Using

Several funny Spanish sayings are shared among native speakers, but their literal meaning can initially seem a bit odd. Much like other languages, these words and phrases can leave you smiling and laughing with your friends. So, when you start to learn Spanish, don't be afraid to throw a few of these funny Spanish phrases into your conversations. They'll be sure to get a good response! Let's get started with the following amusing Spanish phrases and Spanish idioms that may come in handy during your next language exchange!

1. Estar en la luna.

Literal translation: To be on the moon.

Meaning: To be daydreaming or distracted.

This Spanish phrase is used when someone seems completely unaware of what's happening around them as if they’re lost in their own thoughts or “on another planet.” It's a fun way to point out that someone’s head is in the clouds, often in a playful or teasing manner.

2. Estar en las nubes.

Literal translation: To be in the clouds.

Meaning: To be distracted or absent-minded.

Similar to “estar en la luna,” this phrase is used to describe someone who isn't paying attention or is lost in their own world. It’s a light-hearted way to say someone isn’t focused.

3. Estar vivito y coleando.

Literal translation: To be alive and wagging your tail.

Meaning: To be alive and kicking.

This phrase emphasizes that someone is full of life and energy, especially after a rough time or close call. It’s perfect for when someone bounces back after an illness or challenge.

4. Estar loco como una cabra.

Literal translation: To be as crazy as a goat.

Meaning: To be completely nuts.

If you want to describe someone as being a little wild or eccentric, this funny Spanish phrase does the trick. It’s often said in a humorous way when someone is acting in a particularly crazy manner.

5. Más loco queue una cabra.

Literal translation: Crazier than a goat.

Meaning: To be totally bonkers.

This is an alternate way to say the same phrase as above.  It’s often said with a smile, referring to someone who's a bit eccentric.

6. Ser uña y mugre.

Literal translation: To be like a fingernail and dirt.

Meaning: To be inseparable, like two peas in a pod.

This funny Spanish expression describes two people who are extremely close and do everything together. While the imagery of dirt under a fingernail might seem odd, it captures the idea of being stuck together tightly.

7. No saber ni papa de algo.

Literal translation: To not know even a potato about something.

Meaning: To not know anything at all.

This is one of the humorous Spanish phrases to use when someone is completely clueless about a subject. It’s a playful way to express ignorance, like saying you “don’t know squat.”

8. Burro hablando de orejas.

Literal translation: A donkey talking about ears.

Meaning: The pot calling the kettle black.

This is a saying in Spanish used when someone criticizes another person for something they themselves are guilty of. It’s a fun way of pointing out hypocrisy.

9. Meter la pata.

Literal translation: To put the paw in.

Meaning: To mess up or make a mistake.

This phrase is the Spanish equivalent of "putting your foot in it." It’s used when someone makes a blunder or says something inappropriate.

10. ¡Que pedo!

Literal translation: What a fart!

Meaning: What’s up?/What a mess!

This Spanish expression varies by where you are in Latin America. In Mexico, for example, it can be a greeting (“What’s up?”), or it can be used to express that something is chaotic or confusing. It’s very informal and often used among friends.

11. Hablando del Rey de Roma...

Literal translation: Speaking of the King of Rome...

Meaning: Speak of the devil.

This fun Spanish phrase is used when the person you were just talking about suddenly appears. It’s a great way to joke about coincidence.

12. Feliz como una lombriz.

Literal translation: Happy as a worm.

Meaning: Happy as a clam.

This is used to describe someone who is extremely content. Though comparing happiness to a worm may seem strange, the rhyme makes it fun to say. It's similar to the English expression happy as a clam, which also makes very little practical sense.

13. Me importa un pimiento.

Literal translation: I care about it as much as a pepper.

Meaning: I don’t care at all.

This is a dismissive phrase, similar to saying “I don’t give a hoot.” It’s used when something is of no importance to you.

14. Ser pan comido.

Literal translation: To be eaten bread.

Meaning: To be a piece of cake.

This phrase is used to describe something that’s very easy to do, much like the English “piece of cake.”

15. Tener mala leche.

Literal translation: To have bad milk.

Meaning: To be in a bad mood or to be unlucky.

This fun Spanish phrase describes someone with a bad attitude or bad luck. It’s often used to say someone is just naturally unlucky or grumpy.

16. Tomar el pelo.

Literal translation: To take the hair.

Meaning: To pull someone’s leg.

This means to tease or trick someone in a light-hearted way. It’s perfect for when you’re joking around with friends.

17. Comer moscas.

Literal translation: To eat flies.

Meaning: To daydream or be absent-minded.

This is used in the Spanish language to describe someone who is zoning out or distracted, similar to the English “spacing out.”

18. Creerse la última Coca-Cola del desierto.

Literal translation: To think you’re the last Coca-Cola in the desert.

Meaning: To think you're hot stuff.

This odd Spanish phrase is used to describe someone arrogant or full of themselves as if they think they’re the best thing around.

19. El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

Literal translation: He who grabs a lot, squeezes little.

Meaning: Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

This warns against taking on too much at once, as it often leads to poor results.

20. Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda.

Literal translation: Even if the monkey dresses in silk, it’s still a monkey.

Meaning: You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

You can use this expression to say that no matter how much you try to change appearances, the essence of something (or someone) remains the same.

21. A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

Literal translation: You don’t look at a gift horse’s teeth.

Meaning: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

This funny Spanish phrase advises that when receiving a gift, you shouldn’t scrutinize or criticize it. It’s a polite reminder to be grateful for what you’re given, regardless of its imperfections.

22. Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

Literal translation: In bad weather, a good face.

Meaning: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

This common Spanish phrase encourages optimism in the face of adversity. Even when things are tough, you should try to stay positive and not let the situation bring you down.

23. Echarse al agua.

Literal translation: To throw oneself into the water.

Meaning: To take the plunge.

This is used when someone takes a risk or jumps into a new venture. It’s all about embracing challenges and diving into something new, even if it’s scary.

24. Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.

Literal translation: The shrimp that falls asleep is carried away by the current.

Meaning: You snooze, you lose.

This warns that you might miss an opportunity or get left behind if you’re not paying attention or acting quickly enough. 

25. Tirar/echar los perros a alguien.

Literal translation: To throw the dogs at someone.

Meaning: To flirt with someone.

This phrase is used when someone makes romantic advances or tries to woo someone. It’s playful and often used in social settings when observing flirtatious behavior.

26. Ponerse las pilas.

Literal translation: To put in your batteries.

Meaning: To get your act together.

This fun Spanish expression encourages someone to energize themselves and get moving, whether it’s about working harder, paying attention, or taking action. It’s like saying “step it up.”

27. Ser un cero a la izquierda.

Literal translation: To be a zero to the left.

Meaning: To be useless or irrelevant.

In math, a zero on the left of a number has no value, and in this idiom, it’s used to describe someone who feels insignificant or whose opinion doesn’t count in a particular situation.

28. Buscar tres pies al gato.

Literal translation: To look for three legs on a cat.

Meaning: To make things more complicated than they are.

This is used when someone is overcomplicating a situation or looking for problems where none exist. It’s a playful way to say, “Stop overthinking things!”

29. El que nace pa' tamal, del cielo le caen las hojas.

Literal translation: He who is born to be a tamal will have the leaves fall from the sky.

Meaning: What will be, will be.

This funny Spanish phrase suggests that destiny has a way of working things out. If something is meant to happen, circumstances will naturally align to make it so.

30. Meterse en camisas de once varas.

Literal translation: To get into shirts with eleven rods.

Meaning: To get involved in something over your head.

This is used when someone gets into a complicated or tricky situation that they weren’t prepared for. It’s a warning against biting off more than you can chew.

31. Quedarse de piedra.

Literal translation: To stay like a stone.

Meaning: To be stunned or shocked.

When something is so surprising or unbelievable that you’re left speechless, you “stay like a stone,” frozen in place. It’s similar to saying you were “blown away” by something.

32. Tirar la casa por la ventana.

Literal translation: To throw the house out the window.

Meaning: To spare no expense.

This fun Spanish phrase is used when someone goes all out for a celebration or event, spending money lavishly without holding back. It’s like saying someone “pulled out all the stops.”

33. No tener pelos en la lengua.

Literal translation: To not have hairs on your tongue.

Meaning: To be very blunt or outspoken.

This is used to describe someone who says exactly what they’re thinking without filtering their words. It’s for people who speak their minds, sometimes a little too directly.

34. Estar entre la espada y la pared.

Literal translation: To be between the sword and the wall.

Meaning: To be between a rock and a hard place.

This slightly off-putting Spanish phrase is used when someone is in a difficult situation with no easy way out, having to choose between two unfavorable options.

35. Dar la vuelta a la tortilla.

Literal translation: To flip the tortilla.

Meaning: To turn the tables.

This idiom is used when a situation changes direction, especially when someone turns a disadvantage into an advantage, just like flipping a tortilla to cook the other side.

36. Me pica el bagre.

Literal translation: The catfish is biting me.

Meaning: I’m starving.

This is a humorous way to say you’re very hungry, likening your growling stomach to being “bitten” by hunger as if a catfish is nibbling at you.

A Few Funny Spanish Words to LearnM

In addition to funny phrases, some fun Spanish words can make you smile simply because of their quirky sound or meaning. Although not necessarily Spanish slang, these words add character to everyday conversations, and once you know them, they’re hard to forget. Here are a few to get started:

Chirimbolo

• This playful word refers to a strange or odd object, usually one you can’t quite identify. It’s like saying “thingamajig” in English.

Cachivache

• Cachivache describes a useless or old, broken object—something you’d probably toss in the attic. It’s like calling something a “knick-knack” or “junk."

Tragaldabas

• This fun word refers to someone who eats a lot but in a jovial and light-hearted way. 

Zanquilargo

• Zanquilargo literally means “long-legged” and is often used to describe someone with long, skinny legs, like a stork. 

Despapaye

• This word means chaos or mess, usually in a lighthearted way. If things are out of control or a bit crazy, you can call it a “despapaye.” It’s like calling something a “hot mess” in English.

Merendola

• Merendola is a fun word for a big snack or a feast, often used to describe an impromptu gathering of friends or family. 

Fofisano

• This relatively new and humorous word describes someone who isn’t super fit but isn’t completely out of shape either—like a person with a “dad bod.”

Start Practicing These Funny Spanish Phrases Today

To help you put your newfound knowledge to use, download Tandem and match with a native Spanish speaker today. Tandem offers a unique language learning experience that will help you deepen your understanding and improve your Spanish while learning to apply different grammar rules in real conversations.

All you need to do is download the app, sign up, and find a native speaker of your target language. Once you match, you’ll begin communicating through language exchange and one-on-one teaching. To join our worldwide community, sign up for Tandem today!