Hacer algo sin chistar: to do something silently
Ir de paracaidista: to crash a party or not be invited
La delicadeza no rima con franqueza: at times the truth is not sweet.
Le dicen caldo de riel: a miserly or cheap person
Más vieja que la maña de pedir fiado: To be very old
Mover cielo y tierra: To do the imposible to obtain something
Ningunear a alguien: to treat someone as if they were insignificant
No caga para que los zopilotes no coman: to be a miser or cheapskate (vulgar)
No hay mal que dure 100 años ni cuerpo que lo resista: all bad things will pass
No hizo ni culo: to not do anything or accomplish anything (vulgar)
No tener rabo que le majen: to not give anyone a reason to criticize you
Ojo al Cristo y mano a la chuspa: be careful with your money
Paga los platos rotos: to be responsible or pay for something that someone else did
Para el santo que es, con un repique basta: someone who is undeserving of your attention
¿Para qué quiere agua la laguna?: Why do rich people want more money?
Pelarse el rabo: to do something badly or poorly
Perder hacha calabaza y miel: to lose everything
Poner los pies en polvorosa: to flee
All posts by Christopher Howard
Popular Costa Rican expressions that have stood the test of time (Part 1)
Andar chiroteando – to run around freely or playfully
Andar muy catrineado – to be well dressed or spiffy
Barco parado no gana flete – If you do not work, you do not get paid
Cuando se agota el pozo es cuando se conoce lo que vale el agua – When you run out of or lose something , you realize how valuable it is.
Echarse un mechazo – To drink liquor in big gulps.
El hambre hace salir a la loba del bosque – Necessity makes people take risks.
El que no tiene de dinga tiene de mandinga – Everyone has defects or shortcomings
El que se va para Virilla pierde la silla – Don’t let you guard down or to stay alert
Es mejor una gota fija que un chaparrón
Mouthy Words 2
A pedir de boca – to turn out to be perfect or perfect
Boca arriba – face up or belly up
Boca abajo – face down
Boca de miel, mano de hiel – A person who praises you to your face and then backstabs you or hypocrite
Boca sucia – foul–mouthed
Bocado
Famous Costa Rican sayings that have withstood the test of time
- Al perro flaco se le pegan las pulgas – The weakest or defenseless person always gets the blame.
- Jalarse un pollada – to do someone a favor
- Le dieron los veinte – Your girlfriend broke up with you.
- Me fui de pollo – to let yourself be tricked or deceived by someone
- No
A big spender
Al mejor mono se le cae el zapote – something that can happen to anyone
Bromita – literally means a joke but in Costa Rica it can be the price of something. ¿Cuánto es la bromita? How much does it cost?
Botarse or botaratas – to be a big spender
Bulear – to bully someone.
