With the arrival of spring, our language is blooming with strength, colour, gardens… and of course, flowers! That’s why, in today’s article, we will be sharing some expressions and idioms about flowers in Spanish, exploring their meanings and offering examples in context, in order to better understand how to use them. Let’s begin, shall we?
Echar(se) flores (to toot one’s own horn)
A synonym of piropear(se) or to compliment (oneself) in English, this expression is used to excessively compliment yourself or someone else. Its origin comes from the custom of throwing flowers as a symbol of praise or recognition. For example: Samuel siempre se echa flores por su habilidad para resolver problemas, pero a veces exagera (Samuel always praises his ability to problem-solve, but sometimes he exaggerates). This is a Spanish idiom about flowers which often takes the reflexive form and is mainly used in spoken language, either ironically or to critique.
Ir de flor en flor (to play the field)
This expression is used to describe someone who frequently goes from romantic partner to partner. It’s related to the idea of a bee that goes from flower to flower, looking for nectar. For example: Mar nunca se compromete con una relación seria, siempre va de flor en flor (Mar is never committed to a serious relationship, she is always playing the field). An adjective related to the idea of playing the field is ‘picaflor’ (womaniser), which is precisely the kind of person who likes to flirt with others constantly.
Estar en la flor de la vida (to be in the prime of life)
In Spanish, we use this expression to refer to the most full and active stage of our lives, in which youth and vitality are enjoyed. It comes from the metaphor of flowers in full bloom. For example: A sus 25 años, Iván está en la flor de la vida, inmerso en proyectos y planes de futuro (At 25 years old, Iván is at the prime of his life, submerged in projects and future plans).
Tener una flor en el culo (to have the luck of the devil)
This is used in a colloquial sense to describe someone who has unusually good luck or seems to be successful in everything that they do. Although the expression also exists in other romance languages and all share the same meaning of having good luck, its origin isn’t very clear. For example: Vanesa siempre gana la lotería, parece que tiene una flor en el culo (Vanesa always wins the lottery, she must have the luck of the devil). Whilst the expression does contain the word ‘culo’ (backside), it isn’t a vulgar expression, but rather a colloquial expression and is primarily used in spoken language.
In summary, the use of Spanish idioms about flowers, just like Spanish Sayings related to spring, enrich our everyday language, gifting us with colourful metaphors and meanings which allow us to express a variety of ideas and emotions. By understanding the meanings and origins of these expressions, we can use them more naturally, enriching our conversations in spring, a season of renewal and growth. May this season inspire our vocabulary and daily lives to flourish!
Martina Dioletta
Translated into English from article by Vanesa Peña Merino
