Getting On with the Neighbours in Spain
The expressions Spaniards use to ask favours, raise a problem gently and gossip about the comunidad.
Most Spaniards live in flats, and the building is run by the comunidad de vecinos, which holds a junta to vote on repairs and sometimes charges a derrama, an extra one-off payment. Leaks between floors, washing falling into the patio and a broken lift are classic neighbour topics. The cards follow a newcomer in a Madrid building, from moving in to the first leak and the first junta.
- 1
Oye, ¿tienes un momentito?
Hey, have you got a sec?
- 2
No quiero montar ningún pollo.
I don't want to make a big fuss about it.
- 3
Te lo digo sin acritud.
I'm saying it with no hard feelings.
- 4
Creo que la gotera viene de tu casa.
I think the leak is coming from your flat.
- 5
¿Me echas una mano con las cajas?
Can you give me a hand with the boxes?
- 6
Hoy por ti, mañana por mí.
You'd do the same for me.
- 7
Perdona que te dé la lata.
Sorry to pester you.
- 8
Se te ha caído una camiseta al patio.
One of your T-shirts has fallen into the patio.
- 9
Lo arreglamos entre nosotros.
We'll sort it out between ourselves.
- 10
El jueves hay junta de vecinos.
There's a residents' meeting on Thursday.
- 11
Nos quieren meter una derrama.
They want to hit us with an extra charge.
- 12
El del tercero tiene más cara que espalda.
The guy on the third floor has some nerve.
- 13
Estoy hasta las narices del ascensor.
I'm sick and tired of the lift.
- 14
Tampoco hay que sacar las cosas de quicio.
Let's not blow things out of proportion either.
- 15
Ya me cuentas.
Keep me posted.
- 16
No es ninguna molestia.
It's no bother at all.
- 17
Gracias, te debo una.
Thanks, I owe you one.
- 18
Si necesitas cualquier cosa, ya sabes dónde estoy.
If you need anything at all, you know where I am.
- 19
Tranquila, eso es agua pasada.
Don't worry, that's water under the bridge.
- 20
En el edificio hay muy buen rollo.
There's a really good vibe in the building.