how do you say my sister always does her homework in spanish

How to Say “My Homework” in Spanish: Formal and Informal Ways

Learning how to communicate effectively can greatly enhance your language skills. When it comes to discussing your homework in Spanish, there are various ways to express this concept, depending on formality and regional variations. In this guide, we will provide you with tips and examples of both formal and informal ways to say “my homework” in Spanish.

Formal Ways

Formal language is typically used in professional settings, academic environments, or when speaking to someone in a position of authority. Here are some formal expressions for referring to your homework in Spanish:

“Mi tarea” – This is the most common and widely accepted phrase for “my homework” in Spanish. It is a general term that can be used in various contexts and regions.

Profesor: Recuerden entregar su tarea mañana. (Teacher: Remember to hand in your homework tomorrow.) Estudiante: Sí, entregaré mi tarea en la clase. (Student: Yes, I will hand in my homework in class.)

“Mi trabajo para casa” – This expression is commonly used when referring to homework assigned by a teacher or professor.

Profesora: ¿Todos completaron su trabajo para casa? (Teacher: Did everyone complete their homework?) Estudiante: Sí, terminé mi trabajo para casa anoche. (Student: Yes, I finished my homework last night.)

Informal Ways

Informal language is used among friends, family, or in casual settings. Here are some informal expressions for talking about your homework in Spanish:

“Mi tarea” or “Mis deberes” – These phrases are commonly used in casual conversations and are interchangeable. “Mis deberes” can also translate to “my duties” or “my tasks,” but in the context of homework, it is understood to mean “my homework.”

Amigo: ¿Terminaste tu tarea? (Friend: Did you finish your homework?) Estudiante: Sí, ya hice mis deberes. (Student: Yes, I already did my homework.)

“Los debercitos” – This expression is a playful way of referring to homework, often used among younger individuals or in a lighthearted context.

Hermanita: ¡No quiero hacer mis debercitos! (Little sister: I don’t want to do my homework!) Hermano mayor: Vamos, debes terminar tus debercitos para mañana. (Big brother: Come on, you have to finish your homework for tomorrow.)

Regional Variations

While the expressions mentioned above are commonly understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, there can be slight variations based on regional dialects. Here are a few examples of regional differences:

In Spain, it is common to use the word “deberes” instead of “tarea” to refer to homework.

Example: “Terminé mis deberes” (I finished my homework)

In Latin America, it is common to hear “tarea” or “trabajo” when referring to homework.

Example: “Hice mi tarea” (I did my homework)

Remember, these regional variations are minor, and the primary phrases we discussed earlier will be understood in most Spanish-speaking countries.

Now that you have a better understanding of how to say “my homework” in Spanish, you can confidently communicate with others and navigate various language situations. Practice using these expressions, and soon you’ll feel more comfortable expressing yourself in Spanish!

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Possessive adjectives in Spanish: my, your, his, her, its, our and their (Adjetivos posesivos)

Possessive adjectives in Spanish

Look at this table to learn about  Adjetivo posesivo   in Spanish

Read and listen to these examples:

Él es mi hermano. He is my brother.

Yo tengo mis plantas verdes. I have my green plants.

¿Tienes tu camiseta? Do you have your T-shirt?

Tú estudias con tus compañeros de clase. You study with your classmates.

El perro tiene su hueso. The dog has its bone.

Rubén tiene su libro. Rubén has his book.

Lucía tiene sus libros. Lucía has her books.

Manuel canta con sus amigos. Manuel sings with his friends.

Usted tiene su guitarra. You have your guitar.

Los pájaros son sus animales favoritos.  Birds are your favourite animals. ["your" refers to "usted"]

Ellos tienen su propio coche. They have their own car.

Belén tiene sus sábanas de seda. Belén has her silk bed sheets.

La moda italiana es nuestro modelo. Italian fashion is our model.

El juego es nuestra adicción. Gambling is our addiction.

Tomás y Marcos son nuestros cantantes favoritos. Tomás and Marcos are our favourite singers.

Laura y Nerea son nuestras primas. Laura and Nerea are our cousins.

El chico es vuestro primo. The boy is your cousin. [your refers to "vosotros"]

El pop es vuestra música preferida. Pop is your favourite music. [your refers to "vosotros"]

Inés tiene vuestros lápices. Inés has your pencils. [your refers to "vosotros"]

Yo no tengo vuestras camisas. I don't have your shirts.

Usted necesita mostrar su pasaporte. You need to show your passport.

¿Tienen ustedes sus maletas en la consigna? Do you have your suitcases in the cloakroom?

In Spanish, su and sus can refer to  six different owners :

• you [ usted ]
• you [ ustedes ]

You need to work out the owner by the context.

Possesive adjectives also have a long form that is the same as the Pronombre posesivo . It is more expressive. You use it, for example, when talking of a special friend or relative.

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How To Say Sister In Spanish – Basic Translation, Informal & Formal Ways, Slang Terms, Regional Variations, Alternative Words

Discover various ways to say sister in Spanish, including basic translations, informal and formal ways, slang terms, regional variations, and alternative words.

How to Say Sister in Spanish

In Spanish, there are various ways to say “sister” depending on the context and the level of formality. Let’s explore the different ways to express this familial relationship in the Spanish language.

Basic Translation of Sister

The most common and straightforward translation of “sister” in Spanish is “hermana.” This is the word you would use when referring to your sibling, whether older or younger. For example, if you want to say “My sister is coming,” you would say “Mi hermana viene.”

Informal Ways to Say Sister

If you want to use a more casual and informal term for “sister” in Spanish, you can use “hermanita” or “hermano.” “Hermanita” is the diminutive form of “hermana,” which adds a sense of endearment or affection. It is often used when referring to a younger sister. Similarly, “hermano” can be used to refer to both brothers and sisters in a more informal setting.

Formal Ways to Say Sister

In formal settings or when addressing someone with respect, you can use the term “señora” or “señorita” followed by the person’s name. For example, if you want to say “Mrs. Rodriguez is my sister,” you would say “La señora Rodriguez es mi hermana.” This form of address is more appropriate in professional or formal settings.

Slang Terms for Sister

Just like in any language, Spanish has its own set of slang terms for expressing the concept of “sister.” One commonly used is “bro” or “broda,” which is a variation of the English term “brother.” This term is often used among friends or peers to refer to a close female friend who is like a sister.

Related: How To Describe A Beautiful Lady In Spanish | Compliments, Romantic Phrases, And Famous Beauties

Regional Variations of Saying Sister in Spanish

Spanish is spoken in many different countries, and as a result, there are regional variations in the way “sister” is expressed. For example, in some Latin American countries, people may use the term “mana” or “cuate” to refer to a sister. These regional variations add richness and diversity to the Spanish language.

Alternative Words for Sister in Spanish

While “hermana” is the most common translation of “sister” in Spanish, there are also alternative words that can be used depending on the specific context. For instance, “soror” is a term borrowed from Latin that is sometimes used in academic or formal discussions to refer to a sisterhood or sister relationship. Additionally, “comadre” is a term used in certain regions to refer to a close friend who is like a sister.

To summarize, there are several ways to say “sister” in Spanish depending on the formality, context, and regional variations. The basic translation is “hermana,” but you can also use informal terms like “hermanita” or “hermano.” In formal settings, “señora” or “señorita” followed by the person’s name is more appropriate. Additionally, slang terms such as “bro” or “broda” are used among friends. Regional variations and alternative words like “mana” or “cuate” add diversity to the Spanish language. Embrace the richness of the Spanish language by exploring these different ways to express the concept of “sister.”

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ALL Phrases You Need to Speak About Your Family in Spanish 

In this article, I’ll teach you how to speak about your family in Spanish! It does not matter whether you’re an only child or whether you have 12 siblings and 20 aunts or whether you’re still single or married to the love of your life.

After having read this piece, you’ll be able to present your entire family.

1. Basic vocabulary for family in Spanish (La familia)

Family is generally a very important part of any Latin American, so it’s very likely that your Spanish-speaking friends will want to talk to you about sus familias (their families) and ask you about yours.

So, first, let’s see some vocabulary in Spanish that you’ll need to know to answer like a native:

• Padre (Father)
• Madre (Mother)
• Hija (Daughter)
• Hermano (Brother)
• Hermana (Sister)
• Abuelo (Grandfather)
• Abuela (Grandmother)
• Tío (Uncle)
• Primo (Cousin) — masculine / Prima (Cousin) — feminine
• Esposo (Husband)
• Esposa (Wife)

Please note that in Spanish, the plural default expression if there’s at least one male involved is generally the masculine plural. So for “parents”, we say “ p adres “; for children (as in sons and daughters), we say hijos ; for siblings, hermanos ; for grandparents, abuelos .

Why don’t you try it with cousins and the others and let me know in the comments? I’ll make sure to check your answers! 

If you come from a big family and have many siblings, aunts or cousins, you can use mayor (older) and menor (younger) in expressions like these:

• Mi hermana mayor es alta. (Mi older sister is tall.)
• Mi padre es menor que mis tíos. (My father is younger than my uncles.)
• A tu primo menor le gusta el fútbol. (Your younger cousin likes soccer.)

These are very useful chunks you can learn by heart to start speaking about your family!

2. How to talk about family in Spanish

So, as you can see, in Spanish, similar to English, we use possessive pronouns to address our family members. Let’s review them quickly:

• Tu (Your) — informal
• Su (Formal your, as well as her, his and their)
• Nuestro (masculine) / Nuestra (feminine) (Our)

Remember if it’s plural, add an S to the pronouns like mis papás (my parents).

If you want to give more details about your family, then you want to use es and está to describe situational, physical or personality traits about them:

• Tu papá es ingeniero. Es el mayor de sus hermanos. (Your dad’s an engineer. He’s the oldest brother.)
• ¡Mi hermana está embarazada! (My sister is pregnant!)
• Nuestros primos están en Estados Unidos. (Our cousins are in the United States.)

If you want to know more about the verb to be in Spanish ( ser-estar ), just check Mariana’s video . She has great chunks prepared for you about that!

3. In-laws in Spanish

Now you know how to talk about your immediate family, but what about your family in-law?

These are the words to use:

• Suegro (Father-in-law)
• Suegra (Mother-in-law)
• Cuñado (Brother-in-law)
• Cuñada (Sister-in-law)
• Yerno (Son-in-law)
• Nuera (Daughter-in-law)

Let me give you some chunks about myself:

• Mi hermana tiene una hija. (My sister has one daughter.)
• Mi sobrina es Argentina. ¡Es una bebé! (My niece is Argentinian. She’s a baby!)
• Mi padre y mi madre están felizmente casados. (My father and mother are happily married.)
• Mi mamá es baja y mi papá es alto. (My mom is short and my dad is tall.)
• Yo estoy casado. Mi esposa es venezolana y morena. (I am married. My wife is Venezuelan and a brunette.) También se enoja fácilmente.  (She also gets angry easily.)

4. Learn more family words about extended family member in Spanish with FREE training

¡Buenísimo! (Very good!)

Remember: we have a whole series of Spanish beginner videos , so feel free to check out the other videos from me and the other Spring Spanish teachers on our channel! 

If you want to become part of the Spring Spanish family, we have a free Spanish training on our website where you’ll discover the method we use in our Spring Spanish Academy to teach students to speak fluent Spanish. You also get some free sample Spanish lessons there that come straight from our Academy!

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Home » Articles » Easy Spanish Pronouns: Understanding Spanish Pronouns and Their Verb Pairs

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ?

written by Benny Lewis

Language: Spanish

Reading time: 11 minutes

Published: Aug 2, 2019

Updated: Dec 27, 2023

Easy Spanish Pronouns: Understanding Spanish Pronouns and Their Verb Pairs

“I”, “we”, “he”, “she”, “it”, “they”. Pronouns pack a lot of power. They’re an essential ingredient in pretty much every language.

Pronouns are the key to understanding who or what the subject is in a sentence. Without them, sentences would get very confusing, very quickly!

Unlike English, Spanish doesn’t always use pronouns. In fact, Spanish often uses verb conjugation to show the subject of a sentence.

But that doesn’t mean you can get away with skipping over Spanish pronouns. You still need to master them.

So, let’s start by learning the basics.

What is a Spanish Pronoun?

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of names or nouns in a sentence. For instance, if I say “Diego is my friend. He lives near me, and he works nearby,” I’m using the pronouns “my”, “he” and “me”. That sentence would be pretty clunky without pronouns. Here’s how it would look: “Diego is Benny’s friend. Diego lives near Benny, and Diego works nearby.”

In my view, talking in the third person all the time seems strange and unnecessary! So, that’s why we need pronouns.

You might have noticed in my sample sentence about Diego there are two different types of pronouns that express me, Benny, in English: “my” and “me”. They express different things, even though they both represent the same subject: Benny. “My” is possessive, while “me” is relative – how Diego relates to me (“he lives near me”).

What about in Spanish? That same sentence looks like, “Diego es mi amigo. Él vive cerca de mí, y trabaja cerca.”

Pronouns change depending on where and how they’re used in a sentence. They can change depending on whether you’re expressing possession, direction, or using them after prepositional phrases. It’s sounds complicated, but it’s a lot like English — think of how the personal pronoun “I” changes to “me” or “my” depending on where and how it’s used.

Spanish Personal Subject Pronouns

Grammar review: The subject of a sentence is the person, object or place being discussed or performing the action of the verb.

For example, in the sentence “He runs a marathon”, “He” is the subject, and “to run” is the verb.

Here are the subject pronouns:

• You: Tú (informal) / Usted (Formal):
• We: Nosotros / Nosotras
• You, plural and informal: Vosotros / Vosotras
• You, plural and formal: Ustedes
• They: Ellos / Ellas

To learn Spanish verb conjugation , you need to memorize the Spanish personal subject pronouns, starting with “I”, “we”, “they” and “you”.

Pronouns ending with -o indicate the masculine form, used for either groups of men or both men and women. The -a endings are feminine and used only if “we”, “they” or “you” refer to a group of all women.

The other thing to know is that “you” in Spanish has a formal and informal version. You use tú for friends and family, and usted to show respect or address someone you don’t know. For the plural form, vosotros is only used in Spain as an informal “you”. In Latin America, ustedes is used in both formal and informal situations.

Connecting Subjects to Verbs and Dropping the Pronoun

In Spanish, the subject of a sentence changes the ending of the verb. It makes the subject clear and easy to understand.

Let’s try some examples of Spanish pronouns in sentences, and see how that changes the verb “to go” ( ir ).

• “I” in Spanish: Yo voy a la tienda. (“I am going to the store”)
• “You” in Spanish: Tú vas a la tienda (“You are going to the store”)
• “He” in Spanish: Él va a la tienda (“He is going to the store”)
• “She” in Spanish: Ella va a la tienda (“She is going to the store”)
• “We” in Spanish: Nosotros vamos a la tienda (“We are going to the store”)
• “You” (plural, informal) in Spanish: Vosotros váis a la tienda (“You all are going to the store”)
• “You” (plural, formal) in Spanish: Ustedes van a la tienda (“You all are going to the store”)
• “They” in Spanish: Ellos van a la tienda. (“They are going to the store”)

As you can see, when the subject changes, so does the verb “to go” ( ir ). The rest of the sentence stays the same ( a la tienda ). Ir is an irregular verb in Spanish , but the idea is the same. Verbs endings (also known as verb conjugations) change in a sentence based on the subject of that sentence

English is similar for some verbs. For example, with the verb “to run”, you’d say “I run”, and “she runs”. The ending of the verb changes based on the subject of the sentence. But this is only sometimes the case in English. In Spanish, it’s always the case, and the ending is different for every subject.

That’s why in Spanish, the subject can often be dropped since it’s understood by the verb structure alone. Those sentences could then be “Voy a la tienda” and “Vas a la tienda”, and you would still know the subject was “I” and “you”.

Spanish Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns in Spanish answer the question “Whose is it?” They give the pronoun ownership of an object. For example, in English you might say “That’s mine ” or “It’s her house”.

In Spanish, there are four forms for each pronoun: singular masculine, singular feminine, plural masculine and plural feminine. And for possessive pronouns, they are always used with “the” (which also must match one of the four forms – el, la, los and las ). Which one you use is based on the gender of the word you’re saying is owned.

For instance, singular masculine possessive for “mine” is el mío . Singular feminine is la mía . And for plural masculine and feminine, it’s los míos/las mías . If you’re saying a book ( el libro , masculine) is yours, you would say “Es el mío” (“It is mine”). For books, it’s Son los míos (“They are mine”). If the apple ( la manzana , feminine) is yours, then it’s Es la mía , or plural Son las mías .

• Mine: El mío, los míos, la mía, las mías
• Yours: El tuyo, los tuyos, la tuya, las tuyas
• His, hers or its: El suyo, los suyos, la suya, las suyas
• Ours: El nuestro, los nuestros, la nuestra, las nuestras
• Yours: El vuestro, los vuestros, la vuestra, las vuestras*
• Theirs: El suyo, los suyos, la suya, las suyas*

Now, this is different from when you say “my book” or “my apple”. In that situation, you’re using “my” as an adjective, not a pronoun, because you aren’t replacing the noun but describing it. Then it’s mi libro or mis manzanas . Here are those possessive adjectives:

• My: Mi , mis
• Your: Tu , tus
• His, her, its, their: Su , sus
• Our: Nuestro , nuestros , nuestra , nuestras
• Your (plural): Vuestro , vuestros , vuestra , vuestras

Spanish Prepositional Pronouns

Only two pronouns change when following a preposition. (If you need a refresher of prepositions, check out this list .)

When following a preposition:

• “I” or Yo becomes mí (“me”)
• “You” or Tú becomes ti (“you”)

All other Spanish pronouns stay the same after a preposition, so that makes this set of pronouns easy to remember.

For example:

Esto es para mí, eso es para ti. (“This is for me, that’s for you.”)

The only exception is con (“with”). That’s comitative form, and it changes mí and ti to conmigo and contigo , respectively.

Spanish Direct Object Pronouns

Do you remember what a direct object is in a sentence? The object is what receives the action of the verb. So the subject performs the action, and the direct object is on the receiving end of that action. If I said, “I ate pizza” ( Yo comí pizza in Spanish), “I” is the subject, “ate” is the verb and “pizza” is the direct object.

But if someone asked me, “Who ate the last slice of pizza?” I could say “I ate it,” which is Me lo comí . I’m using the direct object pronoun lo for “it” in Spanish. (In this situation, Me is “I, myself”… a reflexive pronoun. We’ll get to that in a second.)

Notice that the direct object pronoun goes before the verb, though. In most situations, Spanish has the same sentence structure as English (Subject-Verb-Object). But when it comes to direct object pronouns, it’s Subject-Direct Object Pronoun-Verb.

Here are the direct object pronouns:

• Him, her, it: Lo , la
• Them: Los , las

Something to note: “them” in Spanish can be either people or items, which is why it’s plural for him, her or it. This is the same as English, but sometimes confuses people when they’re trying to remember it in Spanish.

Spanish Reflexive Pronouns

Before we talk about indirect object pronouns, let’s cover reflexive pronouns. I used it in the sentence above, Me lo comí , so let’s explain how that works.

Reflexive pronouns are words that end in “-self” or “-selves”. Oneself, myself, yourself, etc. When using a Spanish reflexive verb, such as lavarse or llamarse , you pair it with the Spanish reflexive pronoun.

How do you know when a verb is reflexive?

A verb is reflexive when the subject and object are the same. So, if I said Me llama Benny , I’m saying “I call myself Benny.” That’s why it’s me instead of yo . In Me lo comí , I’m saying “I, myself, did the action. I, myself, ate it.”

Here’s the list of reflexive pronouns:

• Yourself: Te
• Himself, herself, itself: Se
• Ourselves: Nos
• Yourselves: Os
• Themselves: Se

Reflexive pronouns seem confusing, but there’s a simple way to think about it. Take a look at that list, and then the direct object pronouns. There’s only one change: lo / la or los / las becomes se . That’s it! Everything else remains the same. If it’s easier, for now, you can think “Me, I ate it” to explain why Me lo comí uses me instead of yo .

Spanish Indirect Object Pronouns

The indirect object is someone or something affected by the action of the verb, but it’s not the main recipient of the action. Grammatically, the direct object doesn’t follow a preposition, while an indirect object comes after “to” or “for”. So the direct object is going to, or is for, the indirect object.

• To/for me: Me
• To/for you: Te
• To/for him, her or it: Le
• To/for us: Nos
• To/for you all: Os
• To/for them: Les

Notice that once again, only “it” has changed. Now it’s le or les . The rest is same as the direct object list.

If I said “I bought pizza,” that’s subject-verb-direct object. If I expand on that and say “I bought pizza for my friend,” then the direct object is “pizza” and “my friend” is the indirect object. In Spanish, that would be Compré pizza para mi amigo.

Now let’s say that same sentence using indirect object pronouns. In English, it would be “I bought pizza for him.” In Spanish, that would be Le compré pizza. Like the direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns come before the verb, too.

Spanish Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns connect phrases to a noun or pronoun. They’re words like “who”, “which”, “that”, “where” and “when”. They can help connect two sentences or to connect an adjectival clause to the noun.

In English, this would look like: “The new car that I bought is red.” I could’ve said “The new car is red” but I wanted to express it was my new car. So I used the relative pronoun “that” to connect it.

In Spanish, it’s El nuevo carro que compré es rojo.

The main two relative pronouns you’ll use in Spanish are que and quien . Que can mean “that”, “which”, “who” or “whom”. It connects to the noun directly. Quien means “who” or “whom” and comes after a preposition, like para (“for”) or con (“with”).

Here’s a couple examples:

• El libro que tomaste prestado. (“The book that you borrowed.”)
• Mi amigo para quien compré pizza se fue a casa. (“The friend, who I bought pizza for, went home.”)

Note that que is directly after libro , and is followed by a reflexive verb, tomaste . And quien follows the preposition para to describe specifically which friend I’m talking about.

There’s also cual , cuyo , el que , cuando and donde … Which gets pretty in-depth on the grammar aspect of building your sentences. For now, get comfortable using que and quien and understanding their differences.

Spanish Pronoun Power!

How’d it go? Is your head swimming from all of that, or did you find it easy to pick up? There are many different forms for Spanish pronouns, but if you start with mastering the subject pronouns, it gets easier from there. And three of the forms stay the same except the ever-changing “it”. Don’t forget to pay attention to the Spanish accent marks as you go.

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Fun-loving Irish guy, full-time globe trotter and international bestselling author. Benny believes the best approach to language learning is to speak from day one .

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11 Ways to Express your Frustration in Spanish

When learning a new language, there’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to find the right words to express your feelings or thoughts. That’s why in this article we compiled 11 Spanish phrases that will help you express your frustration. 

This list contains common expressions of frustration that Spanish speakers around the world use. Some of these phrases can also be used to express other feelings, as a result, you will need to use a proper tone of voice to show your frustration. Make sure you read the descriptions carefully so you find the right expression for your situation. 

1. Estar hasta la coronilla – To be sick of…!

Estar hasta la coronilla is one of the most popular Spanish phrases to express frustration. We use this phrase to either express our frustration about an activity that we or someone else is doing. It can be translated as:

• To be done with
• To be sick of 
• Have had it up to here

This is the phrase structure that we use when expressing our frustration about activities:

Estar hasta la coronilla de + [verb infinitive form]

¡ Estoy hasta la coronilla de tener que tomar el camión todas las mañanas! I’m so sick of having to take the bus every morning!

¡Ya quiero salir de vacaciones! Estoy hasta la coronilla de estudiar y hacer tarea I want to go on vacation! I’m so done with studying and doing my homework

You can also use ‘estar hasta la coronilla’ to express your frustration about someone’s actions. 

Estar hasta la coronilla de + que  [verb subjunctive form]

¡Laura! ¿Dónde está mi suéter? Estoy hasta la coronilla de que agarres mis cosas Laura! Where is my sweater? I’ve had enough of you taking my things

¡Ya basta! Estoy hasta la coronilla de que me digas cómo hacer mi trabajo Enough! I’m done with you telling me how to do my job

Take Note: This expression is quite popular in Spanish. However, each Spanish speaking country may have its own version of this phrase. These are some of the most common variations: Estar hasta el copete, Estar hasta el gorro, Estar hasta las narices. 

2. ¡Ya Estuvo Suave! – Enough!

In Mexico, ya estuvo suave is a very popular phrase to express frustration. It can be translated as ‘enough’ or ‘that’s enough’. Mexican speakers use this phrase of frustration to express that they can no longer keep doing something or that they won’t tolerate someone’s behavior anymore. Among Mexican speakers, ‘ya estuvo suave’ can have the following variations:

• ¡Ya estuvo bueno! 
• ¡Ya estuvo!

¡Ya estuvo! ¡Cállense! Enough! Shut up! 

Oye, ya estuvo suave, deja a mi hermana en paz Hey, that’s enough! Leave my sister alone

¡A ver, ya estuvo bueno! ¡No voy a seguir hablando de esto! Ok, that’s enough! I’m not going to keep talking about this! 

Take Note: On top of expressing frustration, ‘ya estuvo’ can also be used to demand someone to stop doing something or to express disbelief about a certain event taking place.

3. ¡Por el Amor de Dios! – For God’s sake! 

This is another popular Spanish expression of frustration and it can be translated as ‘ for God’s sake’ or more directly as ‘for the love of god’. ‘Por el amor de Dios’ is one of the strongest ways to express your frustration short of using curse words. Just like in English, in Spanish, we use this phrase to express our frustration because someone’s actions are affecting us. 

¡Por el amor de Dios! ¡Ya déjenme en paz! For God’s sake! Just leave me alone! 

¡Ay, por el amor de Dios! ¿Por qué se tarda tanto en cobrarle? ¡Oh, for the love of God! Why is it taking so long to charge?

Clara, te dije que necesitaba estos papeles para hoy, ¡ por el amor de Dios! Clara, I told you I needed this paperwork for today, for God’s sake!

Take Note: ‘Por Dios’ is the shortened version of ‘por el amor de Dios’ , as a result, you can also use it as a way to express your frustration. 

4. ¡Maldita sea! – Damn it!

‘Maldita sea’ is another common expression that you can use to convey your frustration in Spanish. This expression is translated as ‘ damn it’ or ‘ blast!’. We can apply it when a situation or someone’s actions are making us unhappy and frustrated. 

¡Maldita sea! ¡Apenas son las 3! ¡Ya me quiero ir! Damn it! It’s just 3 o’clock! I want to go!

¿Dónde está Marco? ¡Maldita sea, le dije que llegara temprano! Where is Marco? Blast! I told him to arrive early!

No encuentro mis llaves… ¡maldita sea! Las dejé en la mesa I can’t find my keys… damn it! I left them on the table

Take Note: In some situations, you may find that people use ‘maldición’ instead of ‘maldita sea’. ‘Maldición’ is also an expression of frustration but since it’s a little bit outdated it’s more common to find it in books or tv shows.  

5. Ya / Ay ya – Enough!

¡Ya! is a Spanish word that people use to express both anger and frustration. It means ‘enough’. ‘Ya’ implies that we want an action or event to stop. As a result, it’s very useful when an activity is getting on our nerves. 

¡Ya! Es la última vez que les pido que me dejen en paz Enough! This is the last time that I ask you to leave me alone!

A ver, ¡ ya! Tenemos que entregar esto mañana y no hemos hecho nada Oh, enough! We have to deliver this tomorrow and we haven’t done anything

You could also use ‘Ay, ya’ to express your frustration about an activity. In this context, this expression could be translated either as ‘ enough’ or ‘that’s enough’. Here are some examples:

¡ Ay, ya! Ya no puedo seguir más con este trabajo That’s enough! I can’t keep going with this job

¡ Ay, ya, Luisa! Deja de quejarte y déjame trabajar Enough, Luisa! Stop complaining and let me do my job

6. ¡Ándale! – Come on! 

Ándale is another Mexican slang word that you can use to express your frustration. In this context, ‘ándale’ means ‘come on’. We can use this word to show our frustration or lack of patience and to hurry people along. 

¡Ándale! ¡Tengo que hacer una llamada!  Come on! I have to make a call! 

¡Dame mi teléfono! ¡Ándale! ¡ No tengo todo el día! Give me my phone! Come on! I don’t have all day!

¿Todavía no estás listo! ¡Ándale! Tenemos que irnos en cinco minutos You’re not ready yet? Come on! We have to leave in five minutes

Take Note: In Mexican Spanish, ‘ándale’ is a rich word with multiple meanings. If you want to use it to indicate frustration, you’ll need to make sure to use the proper tone of voice. 

7. ¡Dios mío! – Good Lord! 

Dios mío is another common way to show your frustration in Spanish. This phrase could be translated as ‘Good Lord’ or ‘Oh My Good’. Just as in English, we can use ‘Dios mío’ to express our frustration about a certain situation or person. 

Dios mío, ¡qué lentas son las cajeras!  Good Lord, the cashiers are so slow!

¿Trajiste los ingredientes que te pedí? ¡Dios mío! Te dije que los necesitaba para hoy Did you bring the ingredients that I asked you? Good Lord! I told you I needed them for today

If you want to show a higher degree of frustration, instead, you could use ‘Ay, Dios mío’. 

Ay, Dios mío, ¡pero si esto está muy fácil de hacer, Diana! Good Lord! This is very easy to do Diana!

¿Otra vez se te olvidaron las llaves? ¡Ay Dios mío! ¡Pon más atención! Did you forget the keys again? Good Lord! Pay more attention!

8. ¡Dame paciencia, señor! – Give me strength!

‘Dame paciencia, señor’ or ‘Dame fuerzas, señor’ are other two popular and standard phrases to show your frustration. Both of them can be translated as ‘give me strength’ or ‘give me strength, lord’. We can apply them when someone’s actions or behaviors are getting on our nerves or to express frustration about an activity that we cannot complete. 

¡ Dame paciencia, señor! ¡Ahí viene la latosa de la vecina! Give me strength, Lord! Here comes my annoying neighbor! 

¿Ya viste cuánto tráfico hay? Vamos a llegar tarde, ¡dame paciencia, señor! Did you see how much traffic there is? We’re going to be late, give me strength, Lord!

No entiendo porque la cajera está platicando en lugar de atendernos, ¡ dame fuerzas, señor!   I don’t understand why the cashier is chatting instead of working, give me strength, Lord!

9. El horno no está para bollos – Not be a good time! 

El horno no está para bollos is a Spanish expression that we use to express our frustration but also to warn people that this feeling is getting worse and they need to leave you alone. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re frustrated with the person that is talking to you, you could be frustrated by something else and use this phrase to ask for space. ‘El horno no está para bollos’ could be translated as ‘not be a good time. 

No me molestes ahorita, el horno no está para bollos Don’t bother me right now, it’s not a good time

Olga, el horno no está para bollos, si estás bromeando, no tengo tiempo Olga, it’s not a good time, if you’re joking around, I don’t have time

Nelly, no puedo ayudarte hoy, el horno no está para bollos. Habla con Edgar.  Nelly, I can’t help you today, it’s not a good time! Talk to Edgar

10. Me voy a volver loco – I’m going to go mad!

Me voy a volver loco is a common Spanish expression that we use to express that our frustration is becoming anger. It means ‘I’m going to go mad’. Notice that ‘loco’ is a masculine adjective, as a result, this word needs to change depending on the gender of the speaker. 

Here are some examples of how to use this expression. 

¡Me voy a volver loco! ¡Les dije muy claro que llegaran temprano! I’m going to go mad! I told you very clearly to arrive early! 

¿Cuánto tiempo más nos van a tener esperando? ¡ Me voy a volver loca! How much longer will they have us waiting? I’m going to go mad!

Notice that the previous examples are not being used to talk directly to the person or root cause that is causing your frustration. In that case, this expression would be translated as ‘ to drive crazy’. 

[Person / Cause] + me + ir [conjugated] + volver loco

Claudia e Iván, ¡ me van a volver loco con sus errores! Claudia and Ivan, you’re going to drive me crazy with all your mistakes!   

Laura, ¿dónde están los papeles que te pedí? ¡ Me vas a volver loca! Laura, where are the papers that I asked you for? You’re going to drive me crazy!

11. Ash / Ay – Oh, dear! / Oh my God

‘Ash’ and ‘Ay’ can also be used to express frustration in Spanish. Both words can be translated as ‘oh dear’ or ‘oh, my God!’. When using them keep in mind that

• ‘Ash’ is only used in Mexico and it’s quite popular among women. 
• ‘Ay’ can be used to express other feelings, as a result, your tone of voice is quite important. 
• ‘Ash’ is considered a little bit more aggressive than ‘ay’: it could be interpreted as asking someone to get lost. 

¡Ash! ¡Te dije que llegaras temprano! ¡Ya empezó la película! Oh, my God! I asked you to arrive early! The movie has already started! 

¿Trajiste el libro que te presté? ¡ Ay, Mayra! ¡Te lo pedí desde la semana pasada! Did you bring the book that I lent you? Oh, dear, Mayra! I asked you to bring it a week ago! 

Wrapping Up

Learning how to express your frustration in Spanish will allow you to be more fluent in your conversations. In this list, we presented you with 11 options that you can use to express your frustration about a person or a situation. Remember that in this context, your tone of voice is quite important, but this shouldn’t be difficult if you’re truly frustrated! 

Now, you’re ready to choose your favorite expression and start applying it to your daily frustrations in life. 

Daniela Sanchez

¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. Read More About Me

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How To Say I Love My Sister in Spanish

1. Start by saying “Yo amo a mi hermana” which translates to “I love my sister” in Spanish. 2. Practice your pronunciation by repeating the phrase several times. 3. Remember to use the correct verb form “amo” to indicate “love” from first-person singular. 4. Show your sister your love with this sweet sentiment in her native tongue.

How To Say “I Love My Sister” in Spanish

Expressing “i love my sister” in spanish.

If you want to express your love for your sister in Spanish, you’ve come to the right place. The bond between siblings is special, and it’s important to be able to convey your feelings in their language. In Spanish, there are a few different ways to express the sentiment “I love my sister.” Let’s explore some of the common translations and their usage.

“Amo a mi hermana”

The most straightforward translation for “I love my sister” in Spanish is “Amo a mi hermana.” This phrase is commonly used to express deep affection and love for one’s sister.

Understanding the Translation

When translating phrases, it’s important to consider the appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Here’s a breakdown of the translation:

The Spanish phrase “Amo a mi hermana” directly translates to “I love my sister” in English. “Amo” is the first-person singular form of the verb “amar,” which means “to love.” “A mi hermana” means “my sister” and is used to indicate the possessive relationship.

Examples and Usage

The phrase “Amo a mi hermana” can be used in various contexts to express love and affection for your sister. Here are a few examples:

“Amo a mi hermana con todo mi corazón.”

This phrase translates to “I love my sister with all my heart” in English. It emphasizes the depth of your love and affection for your sister.

“Siempre estaré ahí para ti porque te amo, hermana.”

This phrase translates to “I will always be there for you because I love you, sister” in English. It expresses your unconditional love and support for your sister.

“Amo a mi hermana mayor.”

This phrase translates to “I love my older sister” in English. It specifies the relationship between you and your sister based on age.

Cultural Context

The bond between siblings is highly valued in Spanish-speaking cultures. Expressing love and affection for family members is an important part of the culture, and it strengthens the sense of unity and support within the family.

When it comes to saying “I love my sister” in Spanish, “Amo a mi hermana” is the most common and straightforward phrase. It allows you to express your deep affection and love for your sister. Remember to use this phrase to express your feelings sincerely and from the heart. So, the next time you want to convey your love for your sister in Spanish, confidently say “Amo a mi hermana” and strengthen the bond with your loved one. How To Say First Period in Spanish How To Say I Love To Eat in Spanish

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Guest Essay

Some Words Feel Truer in Spanish

By Natalia Sylvester

Ms. Sylvester is the author of the forthcoming children’s book “A Maleta Full of Treasures” (“La Maleta de Tesoros”).

My earliest relationship with language was defined by rules. As an immigrant who came to this country from Peru at age 4, I spent half of my days in kindergarten occupied with learning the rules of the English language. There was the tricky inconsistency of pronunciation to navigate and, once I learned to speak it, the challenge of translating what I’d learned into reading skills.

At home, my mom would often create games to help my sister and me preserve our Spanish and improve our grammar. Driving around our neighborhood in Miami, she’d point at a traffic light, hold up four fingers and say, “Se-ma-fo-ro — on which syllable do you put the accent?”

Each language had its defined space: English in school, Spanish at home. But as my parents became more fluent (and my sister and I more dominant) in English, the boundaries became blurred. Being bilingual empowered us to break barriers beyond the rules and definitions attached to words. Some things were simply untranslatable, because they spoke to this new space we were living in — within, between and around language. We were making a new home here, same as so many immigrants who end up shaping language as much as it shapes us.

It became evident as the phrase “Cómo se dice?” or “How do you say?” became a constant in my home. Sometimes, it’d be my parents who asked, “How do you say” followed by a word like “sobremesa” or “ganas.” It seemed simple enough in theory, but proved nearly impossible for us to translate without elaborating using full sentences or phrases. After all, to have a word to describe a long conversation that keeps you at the table and extends a meal, you’d have to value the concept enough to name it. Some ideas are so embedded in Latin American and Spanish cultures that they exist implicitly. Of course “ganas” can be something you feel but also give, and be at once more tame yet more powerful than “desire.” (If you know, you know.)

Other times, it’d be my sister and I who were curious about a word’s Spanish counterpart. Was there really no differentiating in Spanish between the fingers (dedos) on our hands, and those on our feet we call toes? When we wanted to say we were excited about something, the word “emocionada” seemed to fall short of capturing our specific, well, emotion. Sometimes we would blank on a word. But sometimes, we would find that the perfect word isn’t necessarily in the language we’re speaking.

What I’m describing, of course, has its own word: code switching. The act of shifting from one language or dialect to another, particularly based on social context, is often framed as something that so-called minorities do to fit into more mainstream spaces. It’s true that code switching can be a form of assimilation, a way of shielding ourselves from the prejudices rooted in racism, classism and xenophobia that can arise when we freely express our culture and language in spaces not designed to embrace them. But what I seldom see discussed is how code switching isn’t solely a reactionary response to feeling unwelcome. Within our own communities, it can signal comfort and belonging.

Take the Spanish word “maleta,” or “suitcase” in English. This year, I was at a writing conference and met up with two Mexican American authors, one of whom brought her suitcase to the venue because she had already checked out of the hotel. We walked the halls and offered to help with her maleta, making several jokes and references to it, but never once using the word “suitcase,” despite speaking mainly in English.

This was an entirely natural and unspoken decision. There are some words that simply feel truer in Spanish than they do in English. I call these home words and heart words because I associate them with the place I most grew up using them: at home, among family. Though the words might share a literal definition with their translation, one version carries emotional depth that enriches its meaning. To code switch this way among friends implies we share not only a language, but an intimate understanding of where we come from.

A suitcase is for clothes and possessions when someone travels, but to me, a maleta meant family had arrived from Peru, carrying flavors, textures and memories of my birthplace. Language is rooted in context, which is another way of saying that language is driven by memory. In this way, what we do or don’t choose to translate is another way of telling stories about our past.

Last year, a study on the specific way that Miamians use direct Spanish translations to form English phrases called the practice an emerging dialect. It’s a form of borrowing between languages that results in what is known as calques. For decades, expressions like “get down from the car” and “super hungry,” which are translated from Spanish, have made their way into regional speech, even in the case of non-Spanish speakers.

When I shared the article on social media, my DMs were flooded by friends and family — not only in Miami but also in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and in Southern California — who joked that they’ve been using these phrases since they were children, and their parents had, too. The novelty was not in their usage but in their validation (whether or not we sought that validation). My friends and I grew up being told to speak a certain way and respect the rules of both languages. We, in turn, didn’t so much break the rules as we simply played with them, swirling bits of English and Spanish together until it resembled something new yet familiar, our fingerprints proudly planted in its mess.

This is one of my greatest joys as a writer. I love language not only for all it can do but also for all it can’t and all the space it leaves in the gaps for creation. It is empowering that something as supposedly fixed as the meaning of a word or phrase is actually alive and evolving. It means we don’t have to lose parts of ourselves to assimilation; we can expand language to include the full breadth of our experiences.

Words are just sounds and letters until we collectively give them meaning through story. When we use language to connect, it’s one of the most beautiful things that make us human.

Natalia Sylvester is the author of the forthcoming children’s book “A Maleta Full of Treasures” (“La Maleta de Tesoros”).

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