Experienced language learners know that idioms, or, officially called idiomatic expressions (which some students who have just failed a quiz on the subject, prefer to call ‘idiotic’ expressions, BTW), are a fun way of learning a foreign language.

Even if you are far from being fluent, spicing up your speech with an idiom adds the confidence and charm to your conversation.

Moreover, idioms provide valuable insights into language and culture, or even mindset, if you prefer. Why not learn a few simple Spanish idioms? (more advanced stuff is coming, too!)

• English: Look before you leap
• Spanish: Antes que te cases, mira lo que haces
• Direct translation: Before you marry, look what you do

• English: You can’t please everyone
• Spanish: Nunca llueve a gusto de todos
• Direct translation: It never rains to everyone’s liking

• English: You can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear
• Spanish: Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda
• Direct translation: Even if the monkey dresses in silk, she’ll still be a monkey

• English: You’re pulling my leg
• Spanish: A otro perro con ese hueso
• Direct translation: To another dog with that bone

• English: Rome was not built in a day
• Spanish: No se ganó Zamora en una hora
• Direct translation: Zamora was not won in an hour