Money Talk and Saving in Spain
The colourful expressions Spaniards use for being broke, saving, splurging and splitting the bill.
Spaniards talk about money openly and with plenty of idioms: you can be "sin blanca", something can cost "un ojo de la cara", and a bargain is "un chollo". Splitting with Bizum, hunting deals on Wallapop and "hacer números" at the end of the month are everyday life. The cards follow two friends in Zaragoza planning a weekend away on a tight budget.
- 1
Estoy sin blanca hasta que cobre.
I'm broke until payday.
- 2
Me cuesta llegar a fin de mes.
I struggle to make it to the end of the month.
- 3
Este mes no me lo puedo permitir.
That's not in my budget this month.
- 4
Ese hotel cuesta un ojo de la cara.
That hotel costs an arm and a leg.
- 5
Ahora mismo estoy intentando ahorrar.
I'm trying to save right now.
- 6
Tendremos que apretarnos el cinturón.
We'll have to tighten our belts.
- 7
Vamos a medias.
Let's split it fifty-fifty.
- 8
Te hago un Bizum con mi parte.
I'll send you my half on Bizum.
- 9
¡Qué chollo!
What a bargain!
- 10
No vamos a tirar la casa por la ventana.
Let's not go overboard.
- 11
De vez en cuando hay que darse un capricho.
Every now and then you have to treat yourself.
- 12
Déjame hacer números primero.
Let me do the maths first.
- 13
El dinero no cae del cielo.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
- 14
Eso es un robo.
That's way overpriced.
- 15
Cuesta una pasta.
It costs a fortune.
- 16
¿Me la dejarías en ochenta?
The bike — would you take eighty for it?
- 17
Es mi último precio.
That's my final price.
- 18
Estoy ahorrando para un coche.
I'm saving up for a car.
- 19
Prefiero comprarla de segunda mano.
The bike? I'd rather buy it second-hand.
- 20
¡Tienes un gusto muy caro!
You've got expensive taste!