11 Funny Spanish Phrases That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

In every language, there are always inside jokes, a play on words, and funny phrases that can make you laugh—or at least everyone around you if you’re the object of everyone’s laughter. Spanish is no different. In fact, it’s one of the languages that can have you laughing the most. With its witty sense of humor, endless amount of jokes, roll-off-the-tongue dialect, and quick-to-play personality, there are loads of funny Spanish phrases that can have you in stitches.

Whether you’re new to the language or are just looking for the best jokes to surprise your friends with, here are 11 Spanish phrases that’ll make you and your friends laugh your heads off.

Creerse la última coca-cola en el desierto

Where you’ll hear it: More often in Latin America than in Spain.

When it’s used: For those who think they are really God’s gift to Earth and have a bit of a chip on the shoulder, you can throw them this phrase: “Creerse la última Coca-Cola en el desierto”.

What it means: Its literal translation means: “You think you’re the last coke in the desert.”

English equivalent: “You think you’re the bee’s knees.” “You think you’re the cat’s pajamas.” “You think you’re all that and a bag of chips.”

Más se perdió en Cuba

Where you’ll hear it: Cuba.

When it’s used: Let’s say your friend comes to you in a right state and explains that he’s so upset over something so minuscule that in two days it won’t even matter (a girl rejected him or he lost his Pokémon card, etc.). You can easily give him a “Más se perdió en Cuba.” to show that it isn’t that big of a deal.

What it means: Its literal translation is: “More was lost in Cuba.”

English equivalent: “There are worse things that can happen.” “It’s not the end of the world.”

Ponte las pilas

Where you’ll hear it: Latin American and Spain, more commonly in Argentina

When it’s used: You’re a teacher or a coach and you’re responsible for a few kids. It’s seven in the morning and they’re definitely not morning people. When you ask them a question and they simply don’t understand, you may say: “Ponte las pilas.”

What it means: The direct translation is: “Put in your batteries.”

English equivalent: “Wake up.” “Look alive.”

Dame pan y dime tonto

Where you’ll hear it: South and Central America.

When it’s used: For those people trying to fight their way to the top and are willing to cross all kinds of lines, you can toss them a “Dame pan y dime tonto.”

What it means: It literally means: “Give me bread and call me stupid.” But it figuratively means that they’re going to get what they want, no matter what.

English equivalent: There isn’t many.

Me pica el bagre

Where you’ll hear it: Argentina and surrounding countries.

When it’s used: When you’re feeling extremely hungry!

What it means: It means: “The catfish is biting me.” But it figuratively means that you’re starving.

English equivalent: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!”

Buena onda

Where you’ll hear it: Spain more than in Latin America.

When it’s used: Normally, it’s a great slang way of saying that everything is good and you might even use this phrase to wish someone well.

What it means: Its literal translation is: “Good wave.” But it can be translated into someone wishing someone else good vibes.

English equivalent: “Good vibes.”

Ojo

Where you’ll hear it: All over the world.

When it’s used: You can really see this anywhere—especially if someone is getting into a little mischief. It can also be used without even saying anything. For example, simply by pulling down the bottom of the eye and pointing to the finger, you can give someone the “ojo”.

What it means: Its literal translation would be: “Eye.” However, it’s figurative translation would mean: “I’m watching you.”

English equivalent: “Watch yourself.” “I’m watching you.”

Corto de luces

Where you’ll hear it: Mexico

When it’s used: For someone who simply doesn’t have a lot of common sense or if you’re having a “dumb moment” your friends might talk about you using “corto de luces.”

What it means: The literal translation is: “Short of lights.” Figurative translation means that there’s something missing in their thought process.

English equivalent: “The lights are on but nobody’s home.” “Not the brightest bulb in the box.”

Comiendo moscas

Where you’ll hear it: Latin America and Spain.

When it’s used: When your friend goes to speak and has a roundabout way of telling a story, getting off track and just, in general, talking a lot.

What it means: The literal translation is: “Eating flies.” Figurative translation means that they have the mouth open so much talking that they probably do eat flies.

English equivalent: “Chatty Cathy.”

Hablando del Rey de Roma

Where you’ll hear it: More often in Spain than in Latin America.

When it’s used: If you and your friend are gossiping about a certain person or if you’re reminiscing and thinking about someone and they call you, you would say “hablando del Rey de Roma”!

What it means: The literal translation is: “Speaking of the King of Rome.”

English equivalent: “Speak of the devil!”

Es el mismo perro con diferente collar

Where you’ll hear it: Latin America.

When it’s used: For example, in politics when you think the situation will be different just because there’s a “new sheriff in town”, but it’s actually the same puppet you got the last four years, you can use “Es el mismo perro con diferente collar.”

What it means: The literal translation: “It’s the same dog with a different collar.”

English equivalent: “You can dress it up how you like, but it’s the same old.”

A few more fun phrases to say in Spanish are:

El burro sabe mas que tú. Donkeys know more than you

Eres tan patético, que resultas entrañable. You’re so pathetic, you’re actually entertaining.

Tienes la cara como una nevera por detrás.You have a face like the back of a fridge

Eres tan feo/a que hiciste llorar a una cebolla. You’re so ugly you made an onion cry

Hay días tontos y tontos todos los días. There are stupid days, and people who are stupid every day

La mona aunque se vista de seda, mona se queda. Although a monkey dresses in silk, it stays a monkey.

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