Moving to Spain—or even just visiting—is always exciting there’s a catch. The Spanish you learned in class or through language apps isn’t the Spanish people actually use in bars, at work, or while yelling at the TV during a football match.
Textbook Spanish gives you “formal mode.” Real Spanish gives you sass, drama, and a little bit of chaos. If you want to blend in, win friends, and not look completely lost when someone bursts out with a random phrase, here are 10 quirky colloquial Spanish phrases you absolutely need in your travel toolkit.
“¡Qué fuerte!”
Literal meaning: “How strong!”
Real meaning: “Wow!” or “Unbelievable!”
This is Spain’s version of “No way!” or “That’s crazy!” Use it whenever something shocking, dramatic, or gossip-worthy happens.
Friend: “I just saw my professor dancing in a karaoke bar.”
You: “¡Qué fuerte!”
👉 Say it with raised eyebrows and dramatic flair. Think soap opera vibes.
“¡Qué guay!”
Literal meaning: “How cool!”
Real meaning: Awesome, nice, or fun.
This one’s especially popular among younger Spaniards. Hear a new song you like? “¡Qué guay!” Someone tells you about their trip to Barcelona? “¡Qué guay!”
👉 It’s your go-to positive reaction phrase. (Bonus: it sounds way cooler than just saying “cool.”)
“Tener resaca”
Literal meaning: “To have a hangover.”
Real meaning: The morning after that night out.
Spaniards know how to party, and this phrase is your survival kit for the day after.
“Hoy no puedo, tengo una resaca tremenda.” (Today I can’t, I’ve got a huge hangover.)
👉 Locals will instantly sympathize and hand you strong coffee.
“Estar en las nubes”
Literal meaning: “To be in the clouds.”
Real meaning: Daydreaming, zoning out.
You’ll hear this when someone isn’t paying attention.
Teacher: “¡Estás en las nubes!” (You’re in the clouds!)
Translation: “Stop daydreaming and focus!”
👉 Great for teasing a friend who’s glued to phone instead of listening.
“¡Venga, vamos!”
Literal meaning: “Come on, let’s go!”
Real meaning: Motivation, encouragement, or hurry up.
From rallying a football team to convincing your roommate to hit one more tapas bar, ¡Venga, vamos! is versatile and full of energy.
👉 Use it with enthusiasm—bonus points if you clap your hands while saying it.
“No pasa nada”
Literal meaning: “Nothing happens.”
Real meaning: “Don’t worry about it.”
This is Spain’s unofficial motto. Missed the bus? Forgot your homework? Late for dinner? Just shrug and say: “No pasa nada.”
👉 It’s not just a phrase—it’s a lifestyle.
“Ser la leche”
Literal meaning: “To be the milk.”
Real meaning: Either amazing… or terrible. (Yes, confusing!)
Context is everything.
“Esa película es la leche” → That movie is awesome.
“Este examen es la leche” → This exam is ridiculously hard.
👉 When in doubt, check the speaker’s face. Big smile? It’s good. Angry sigh? Not so good.
“Tirar la toalla”
Literal meaning: “To throw in the towel.”
Real meaning: To give up.
Borrowed from boxing, this one’s universal.
“Quería aprender guitarra, pero he tirado la toalla.” (I wanted to learn guitar, but I gave up.)
👉 Use it dramatically for maximum effect. Bonus if you physically throw an imaginary towel.
“Estar como una cabra”
Literal meaning: “To be like a goat.”
Real meaning: To be a little crazy (in a fun way).
If your friend decides to swim in the sea at 3 AM or books a spontaneous trip to Ibiza, you can laugh and say: “Estás como una cabra.”
👉 It’s affectionate, not insulting—Spaniards love their playful goats.
“Cortar el rollo”
Literal meaning: “To cut the roll.”
Real meaning: To kill the vibe or ruin the mood.
Imagine you’re having fun with friends and someone brings up homework, politics, or drama—classic “cortar el rollo.”
“No cortes el rollo, estábamos de fiesta.” (Don’t kill the vibe, we were partying.)
👉 Fun to say, and very useful if you want to keep the energy light.
Mastering Spanish isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary—it’s about capturing the rhythm, humor, and quirks of daily life. With these 10 colloquial phrases, you’ll have the perfect starter pack to impress locals, survive social situations, and maybe even get mistaken for a Spaniard (until you roll your “rr” wrong, but hey, practice makes perfect).
So next time someone shares a juicy story, raise your eyebrows and say “¡Qué fuerte!” Or when you’re late for dinner, shrug and drop a casual “No pasa nada.” Trust me—you’ll fit right in.
At Study in Spain Guide, we help students take this proven pathway — from learning Spanish to securing a Master’s, working during studies, and building a future in Spain.
Ready to start your journey? Join our Spanish Language & Culture Immersion Program and take the first step toward your Master’s and long-term residency in Spain.
Contact Study in Spain Guide:
📧 Email: info@studyinspainguide.com
💬 WhatsApp: +34 641342001
