SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
There are over 40 idioms in Spanish that use the word milk. But they aren’t always talking about that white stuff made by cows.
Published: 25 September 2018 11:15 CEST
Updated: 17 January 2023 16:34 CET
The Spanish language just loves to use food and drink in its phrases but the dexterity with which it changes the meaning of the word leche (milk) is quite impressive.
According to the RAE – the institution that safeguards the use of the Spanish language – there are over 40 idioms using the word milk and it can mean a whole host of things.
Let’s dive in and see some examples of the ways leche is used in Spanish:
Ser la leche (be the milk)
This means to be incredible or exceptional and is usually extremely positive. However, Spanish people are renowned for their sarcasm so if you do hear it, it might mean exactly the opposite. You should be able to tell by the context.
- I love Al Pacino movies. That guy is milk.
I love Al Pacino’s movies. That guy’s incredible.
- Thanks for helping me with the move. You are the milk!
Thanks for helping me with the move. You’re the best!
Dar(se) una leche (to give a milk)
To hit someone – this can include a slap, punch, or smack. If you use the reflexive verb then it means to hurt oneself by falling, bumping, or crashing into something. Let’s check out some examples:
- If you do it again, I’ll give you a milk.
If you do it again, I’ll give you a smack.
- Maria had a good milk yesterday.
Maria fell over and really hurt herself yesterday.
Estar de mala leche (to be of bad milk)
This means to be in a bad mood. The use of be and not to be here means that it would be considered something temporary. For someone who is more permanently grumpy or ill tempered, you could say have bad milk
- I’m upset because I didn’t sleep at all last night.
I’m in a bad mood because I didn’t sleep at all last night.
- Gerardo has a very bad mood.
Gerardo is really grumpy.
Photo: Davidoff A/Flickr
A toda leche (at full milk)
This expression means to go at full speed, flat out. This could be in terms of speed over distance or working quickly doing something, like a project or homework.
- I went full speed to his house.
I raced over to their house.
Shit in the milk (to shit in the milk)
In Spanish, this phrase is used frequently to express anger, frustration or disappointment, the same way that English speakers would say ‘shit’ or damn it.
- I shit in the milk! The plumber hasn’t fixed the sink right.
Damn it! The plumber hasn’t fixed the sink properly.
So there you have it. Five great ways to use the word leche in Spanish.
Watch Antonio Banderas explain what two of these terms plus a few other Spanish slang terms mean in English:
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