Mónica Bernabé Pérez

Quick answer: in Spain, say “¿Me pones una caña?” A caña is a small draft beer, the standard order in any bar. Want more? Ask for a doble (bigger glass) or a jarra (big mug). A tercio is a 33cl bottle, a clara is beer with lemon soda, and a sin is alcohol-free. Say “una […]

Quick answer: go straight to the bar, catch the waiter’s eye with “¡Perdona!” and say “¿Me pones una caña y unas bravas?” (Can I have a small beer and some patatas bravas?). In many Madrid bars a small free tapa comes with your drink. For more, order a ración (full plate) or media ración (half).

Quick answer: guiri is a colloquial Spanish word for a foreign tourist, especially one from northern Europe, the UK or the US who clearly doesn’t know the local codes. It’s usually teasing or affectionate, not a real insult. Think “tourist”, with a wink. Socks with sandals. A map open in the middle of Puerta del

“Ser pan comido” means “to be a piece of cake”, something really easy. How to use it, real examples, and the Spain-only alternative “está chupado”.

“Merry Christmas” in Spanish is ¡Feliz Navidad! Plus felices fiestas, feliz año and ready-to-send Christmas messages in Spanish for friends, family and work.

In Spain, “venga” means come on, OK, hurry up, bye and even no way. The 6 ways Spaniards use venga, with real examples, plus “venga, vale” and “¡venga ya!”.

“Feliz Navidad” means “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. What each word means, where it comes from, the famous song, and how to answer: ¡igualmente!

“Me importa un pepino” means “I couldn’t care less” in Spanish. How to use it, the polite and the very rude versions, and why Spaniards use vegetables to say they don’t care.

“Estar en el quinto pino” means to be really far away, in the middle of nowhere. What it means, the Madrid story behind it, and similar (and ruder) expressions.

“Estar hecho polvo” means to be exhausted, wrecked or shattered. How to use it, the emotional meaning, and the one similar phrase you should never confuse it with.