Whether you like it or not the rainy season is now upon us. Anyone who lives here knows that in Costa Rica there are more rainy months than dry months. The rainy season or invierno, usually runs from May to November but this can vary from year to year. At times, there is an unseasonably dry spell or Indian summer at the end of June. The Costa Ricans call this pause in the rainy weather, Veranillo (de San Juan), or “little summer.” Some years there is a relatively dry period in August which is referred to as canícula when there is a respite in the May to November rains.
In Spanish there are a lot of words and expressions that have to do with water and rain. Here are some of them. Have fun with this.
A las aguas mansas hay que tenerles miedo – be careful of calm waters (literally). Beware of the meek and mild (figuratively).
Abril lluvioso, saca a mayo florido y hermoso – April showers bring May flowers
Agua bendita – a loose woman. Everyone sticks their hand in the holy water. Get it? Literally this means holy water.
Agua dulce – fresh water
Agua potable – drinking water
Agua salada – salt water
Agua de abajo depende de agua de arriba – upstream the cows piss in the water and downstream people drink it. The water downstream depends on the water upstream
Agua de lluvia – rain water
Aguas negras – sewage
Agua pasada no mueve molina – it’s no good crying over spilt milk. Also No llorar sobre la leche derramada.
Agua que no has de beber, dejalo correr – If you’re not going to drink the water than let it run. Other possible translation..You shouldn’t get mixed up in things that are of no interest to you or if you’re not going marry a person then let then him or her go.
Aguacero – a rain storm
Aguado – a boring person
Aguafiestas – party pooper, killjoy
Aguamar – jellyfish. Medusa is also used
Aguar la fiesta – to spoil the party
Ahogarse en un vaso de agua – to make a mountain out of a molehill
Baldazo – a heavy rain. Literally..a bucket full
Caerle como balde de agua fría – to not like something of someone. Me cae como balde de agua fría. You may also say me cae como una bomba. If you really want to be vulgar and insulting you can say “Me cae en la pura picha.” I do not recommend the latter if you value you life.
Cambiarle el agua al pajarito – to take a pee (change the bird’s water)
Cuando corren los canales, no salgas de tus umbrales – When it rains a lot, don’t leave the house.
Dar agua a los caites – to flee
Diluvio – a pouring rain
Echarse al agua – to take the plunge (figurative) or to tell on someone
En su charco – to do what one likes (in one’s pond)
Estar como agua para chocolate – to be mad or..estar hirviendo (boiling)
Estar con agua al cuello – to be up to one’s neck in something
Garuar – to drizzle in Costa Rica
¡Hombre al agua! – Man overboard!
Lo que por agua se viene y por agua se va – Easy come, easy go
Las desgracias nunca vienen solas – When it rains it pours
Las manos aguadas – butterfingers Manos de mantequilla is also used
Le va a llover – something is going to happen to you in abundance. Le va a llover dinero – You will make a lot of money.
Lo que por agua viene por agua se va – easy come, easy go
Llover a cántaros or llover zapos (toads) y ranas (frogs)– to rain cats and dogs.
Lloviznar – means to drizzle
Llueva o truene – come rain or shine
Lluvioso – rainy
Mañana oscura tarde segura – rainy weather in the morning gives way to a dry afternoon
Metérsele el agua – to go crazy
Nadar entre dos aguas – to be indecisive or to be sitting on the fence
No alcanzar para agua – to make ends meet or scrape by
No dar ni agua – to be very stingy
No hallar el agua en el mar – can’t see the forest through the trees
No te agüites – Don’t get sad!
Pasado por agua – soft boiled
Pelillo de gato – drizzle Llovizna is the correct Spanish word
Se me hace agua la boca – my mouth is watering
Venir como agua de mayo – to be a godsend
