What's one of the best things about learning Spanish? All the fun, new idioms you can learn! Spanish expressions are a great way to get a better idea for the culture and make you sound more like a native speaker. What does it mean to take someone's hair? Or talk about something with hair and signs? Read on to find out.
1. Soltarse el pelo
Just like you would say in English, this Spanish expression about letting your hair down means the same thing. When you let your hair down you loosen up, become disinhibited. It can also be used to talk about someone who’s normally shy that takes time to warm up to being comfortable around new people.
Después de estudiar para tantos exámenes, tengo que soltarme el pelo. ¡Vamos a bailar!
After studying for so many exams, I need let loose. Let’s go dancing!
2. Tomar el pelo
When you’re playing a trick or joking around with someone in Spain, you’re “taking their hair”. In English, we say to pull someone’s leg.
- Mirella, he ganado la lotería!
- ¡Ostras! En serio?
- No tía. Te estoy tomando el pelo.
-Mirella, I won the lottery!
-Oh my goodness! Seriously?
-No man. I’m just pulling your leg.
3. No cortarse un pelo
When someone “doesn’t cut a hair” it means that they’re not embarrassed or afraid to say or do what they think – they don’t hold back. This Spanish expression is usually used to describe people with little self-control who dive right into situations without thinking first.
Juan se tiró al agua del borde del acantilado sin siquiera mirar. ¡Ese tío no se corta un pelo!
Juan jumped into the water from the edge of the cliff without even looking. That guy doesn’t hold back!
4. No tener pelos en la lengua
Someone who doesn’t have hair on their tongue means that they may speak in a vulgar way or perhaps they that say things directly that might offend others. It’s similar to the expression above, except that it only relates to things you say and not actions.
Marta no tiene pelos en la lengua. ¡Le dijo a esa señora que su camiseta era muy fea!
Marta doesn’t beat around the bush. She told that lady her shirt was very ugly!
5. Se te va a caer el pelo
When someone tells you your hair is going to fall out, you can expect a punishment coming your way; you’re going to be in real trouble!
Has suspendido la clase de inglés por segunda vez. Cuando papá lo sepa, ¡se te va a caer el pelo!
You failed English a second time. When dad finds out, you’re going to get it!
6. Ni un pelo de tonto
Someone who doesn’t even have one fool’s hair means that they are smart and cannot be fooled.
No intentes engañar a la profe Lucia – ella no tiene ni un pelo de tonta.
Don’t try to deceive the teacher Lucia – she’s nobody’s fool.
7. Con pelos y señales
If you talk about something “with hair and signs”, you go into all the details.
¡Cuéntame de tu cita con Daniel con pelos y señales!
Tell me all the details about your date with Daniel!
8. Por los pelos
When we almost arrive late, almost miss a train or almost win or lose something, the difference is so small that we describe it by using the tininess of hair. It’s the same as in English: by a hair.
El atleta ganó la carrera por los pelos.
The athlete won the race by a hair.
9. Venir al pelo
Imagine that you’re walking through a desert, sweating profusely and desperately thirsty. Suddenly, an oasis appears in the distance! To say that this is perfect for the situation at the time you would say it “came to a hair” in Spanish. Basically, it’s just right.
Me vino al pelo ver a mi amigo Gerardo, que está siempre sonriendo y bromeando, cuando me estaba sintiendo triste. Me hizo sentir mucho mejor.
Seeing my friend Gerardo, who’s always smiling and joking, was perfect when I was feeling sad. He made me feel much better.
10. Cuando las ranas críen pelo
What’s the likelihood that you’ll see a frog with hair? A flying pig? Chances are, never. This Spanish expression is used after an idea or statement that is impossible.
- Quizás me despertaré temprano mañana para ir a correr.
- Sí, por supuesto. Cuando las ranas críen pelo!
-Maybe I’ll wake up early tomorrow morning to go running.
Ya, sure. When pigs fly!
Posted in Learn Spanish
Learn and improve your Spanish in Barcelona, one of the world's most vibrant and exciting cities.
Here at Speakeasy you'll find courses for all abilities and timetables, an incredible team of talented and motivated teachers and classmates to share your interests and passions. And if you need a visa for your stay, then of course we're able to help and advise.
Start your learning Spanish in Barcelona adventure
Let us know if you have any questions about our courses, our school and life at Speakeasy.