Leaving Home in Spain
Everyday Spanish expressions for moving out of your parents' place, paying your own rent and still going home for Sunday lunch.
Young people in Spain often live with their parents until their late twenties or thirties because rents are high, so independizarse is a big step. Plenty still go back for Sunday lunch and leave with tuppers of home cooking. These cards follow someone who has just moved out, telling a friend about it, reassuring their mum on the phone and going home for lunch.
- 1
El mes pasado me independicé.
I moved out and got my own place last month.
- 2
A mis padres les costó mucho hacerse a la idea.
My parents found it really hard to get used to the idea.
- 3
Mi madre lloró a moco tendido.
My mum cried her eyes out.
- 4
Ya iba siendo hora de volar del nido.
It was about time I flew the nest.
- 5
Los alquileres cuestan un riñón.
Rents cost an arm and a leg.
- 6
Me cuesta mucho llegar a fin de mes.
I really struggle to make it to the end of the month.
- 7
Echo de menos la comida de mi madre.
I miss my mum's cooking.
- 8
Estoy aprendiendo a base de palos.
I'm learning the hard way.
- 9
En casa me lo daban todo hecho.
At home they did everything for me.
- 10
Ahora me tengo que buscar la vida.
Now I have to fend for myself.
- 11
La primera semana se me quemaba todo.
The first week I kept burning everything.
- 12
Los domingos me presento en casa de mis padres con el táper.
On Sundays I turn up at my parents' with my tupperware.
- 13
Mi madre me pregunta a todas horas si como bien.
My mum keeps asking if I'm eating properly.
- 14
Me he quitado un peso de encima.
It's a weight off my shoulders.
- 15
Estoy como pez en el agua en mi piso.
I'm completely in my element in my flat.
- 16
Al principio se me hacía raro llegar y no encontrar a nadie.
At first it felt strange to come home and find nobody there.
- 17
Poco a poco te vas acostumbrando.
Little by little you get used to it.
- 18
Mi padre me echó un cable con la mudanza.
My dad gave me a hand with the move.
- 19
Tranquila, me apaño.
Don't worry, I'll manage.
- 20
Han convertido mi cuarto en un despacho, ¡qué fuerte!
They've turned my room into a study, can you believe it!