Have you ever been in your multilingual workplace and your boss says: “Hay que seguir las instrucciones del proyecto al pie de la letra”? And you stay there completely confused, because you don’t know what he meant.
Or maybe you’ve been at a meeting with Hispanic investors, and they ask: “Entonces estamos todos en la misma página, ¿cierto?” And you’re not sure if you must answer yes or no. What an awkward situation!
Well, don’t worry anymore. They were probably using Spanish idioms! That’s why even if you know Spanish, you couldn’t understand those phrases. Because they’re figurative expressions, and not every school teaches those.
And as fun and casual as the idioms might sound, the truth is, idioms are also used in the workplace. That’s why it’s important you also learn some Spanish business idioms. So don’t find yourself – again – lost during those important Spanish business conversations.
So, pongamos manos a la obra and let’s learn 10 business idioms in Spanish that are used at work.
Poner Manos a la Obra
This is used when you have to get to work or do something now.
For example: If you’ve been chatting with your friends at work about irrelevant things and someone says: “Ya hay que poner manos a la obra” (let’s get to work already). It’s like he/she is saying it’s time to start working or doing whatever you all have to do.
Or maybe you’re an architect and you’re visiting your new building that was built very fast. And the construction manager says: “Nos pusimos manos a la obra y el edificio quedó listo en un par de meses” (we got down to work and the building was ready in a couple of months).
Irse el Santo al Cielo
In a literal way this reads “to go the saint to heaven”, which might sound confusing. But as an idiom it’s used to say you forgot to do something. As well as when you lose the thread of what you were going to say.
For example: “¡Ay no, se me ha ido el santo al cielo, olvidé preparar la presentación para la junta de hoy! (Oh no, it slipped my mind, I forgot to do the presentation for today’s meeting!)
Pan Comido
Literally this means “eaten bread”. As an idiom it’s used in situations where something is very easy to do. So, it’s like saying “piece of cake” in English.
For example: “Lanzar esta campaña de marketing será pan comido” (launching this marketing campaign will be a piece of cake”.
Estar en la Misma Página
Literally it means “to be on the same page”, like the English phrase. It means you and somebody else agree on something or understand something the same.
For example: “Durante toda la semana hemos discutido la inversión necesaria para la compañía y por fin estamos todos en la misma página” (throughout the whole week we’ve discussed the necessary investment for the company and we’re all finally on the same page).
Dar en el Clavo
This is like saying “hit the nail on the head” in English. It’s used when someone did something right or was correct about something, and even when you guessed something right.
For example: Let’s say you gave an idea to solve a problem in the office and it worked. Your boss will tell you: “¡Felicidades, diste en el clavo!” (congrats, you hit the nail on the head).
Al Pie del Cañón
Literally this means “at the canyon’s foot”. What? That sounds crazy! How can you use this phrase in business?
Well, as an idiom is used to saying that you’re always there, giving it your all to a situation. You pay attention and are fully dedicated to it.
So you can use it for when you or another employee are super dedicated to the company and the work they do.
For example: “Fernanda, siempre está al pie del cañón en todos los proyectos de la empresa, le daré un aumento” (Fernanda is always there for all the projects of the company; I’ll give her a raise).
Trabajar como Perro
This means you’re working extremely hard. Literally it means “work like a dog”, so it’s like the English idiom.
For example: “Estoy trabajando como perro para que me den un aumento” (I’m working like a dog, so they give me a pay raise).
Al Pie de la Letra
This means you have to do something exactly as the instructions say or literally as it’s supposed to be done. Without changing anything, nor adding or leaving anything out.
For example: “Debes seguir las reglas al pie de la letra para que el jefe no se enoje” (you must follow the rules to the letter, so the boss doesn’t get angry).
Pensar Fuera de la Caja
Literally this means “to think outside the box”, so you’ve probably noticed that this is the same as the English idiom. As you might’ve figured already, it means to think outside the normal rules to solve a problem or find new ways of doing something. Use your imagination, be creative.
For example: “Si queremos conseguir más clientes debemos pensar fuera de la caja” (if we want to get more customers, we have to think outside the box).
Sudar Tinta
This is used when you’re working very hard and putting a lot of effort into it. Though hard work is good, this is not necessarily an idiom representing good feelings; it can be used when something is very hard.
For example: “No me gusta mucho mi trabajo, me hace sudar tinta” (I don’t like my job very much; it makes me work hard/it’s hard).
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Congrats, now you’ll understand those tricky phrases that your coworkers and everyone at your job often use. But this doesn’t mean you’re fluent or you won’t have any more doubts every now and then.
If you want to truly master the Spanish language to understand everyone and express your ideas freely, you must take some Spanish lessons.
Here at TruFluency we have Spanish classes with native teachers.
So you’ll learn from people that know the language inside out, from the more formal aspects of it to casual everyday expressions and slang.
The best thing about it is that our classes are customized to your needs and language goals. So if you need Spanish for business, we can totally help you!
Plus, all our lessons are based on the Bellieu Method. It consists of encouraging students to speak in their target language using all they’ve learned. So, you’ll practice your Spanish speaking in every single class. It’s the best way to achieve Spanish fluency.
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