Spanish expressions: “¡De muerte!” 💃💀

Learning Spanish can be like eating a chocolate cake that “está de muerte”, or a like “querer morirse” while studying it. Idiomatic expressions are a fascinating part of any language and Spanish is no exception.

As in other posts of our Spanish blog, today we are going to learn some idioms in which the word “muerto” plays a fundamental role. These expressions have nothing to do with funerals or spirits, but rather add a spark and a touch of colour (or rather darkness) to our everyday language. So, get ready to discover some of these expressions that will make you laugh and understand Hispanic culture a little better!

1. 1. “Morirse de risa”. This expression is a clear example of how Spanish can sometimes be very dramatic. When someone cracks up at something in Spain, it’s not just a laugh…it’s a real “muerte de risa”! So, the next time you find yourself in a very funny situation you can say: “Me estoy muriendo de risa” to express how funny you find it.
2. 2. “Estar de muerte”. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about zombies! When Spaniards say something is “de muerte” they are praising the exquisiteness of a meal or how elegant a person looks. For example, if you try a really delicious Valencian paella, you can cry out: “Esto está de muerte!”, meaning that it’s incredibly tasty!
3. 3. “No ver a alguien ni muerto”. When someone can’t stand another person and prefers to avoid them at all costs, they might say that they don’t want to see them “ni muerto”, although they might also say “ni en pintura” (not even in a paint). This expression is used to describe an aversion so strong that you can’t even bear to see a picture of the person at issue.
4. 4. “Hablar con los muertos”. In some Spanish-speaking regions, people have the habit of being extremely sociable and communicative. When someone is very talkative, it is said that they would “talk even with the dead”.
5. 5. “Morirse de miedo”. When someone is so scared that they feel they could die from fear, they are said to be “scared to death”. It is an expression that highlights the intensity of the fear that the person feels. For example, if someone watches a horror movie and becomes so scared that they can’t sleep they might say, “me estaba muriendo de miedo”.
6. 6. “Antes muerto”. When someone uses the expression “antes muerto”, they express an absolute refusal to do something. It is a forceful way of rejecting a proposal or suggestion. For example, if someone proposes jumping with a parachute and you have a fear of heights, you might answer: “Antes muerto” (rather be dead). This means that under no circumstances you will do it.
7. 7. “Ni muerto”. It is used to express a categorical and emphatic refusal to do something. It is similar to “antes muerto” in meaning, but adds emphasis to the refusal. For example, if someone asks you if you would wear a leopard dress to a fancy party and you hate that print, you might answer with a resounding “Ni muerto!” (not a chance!) to emphasize that you would not do it under any circumstances.
8. 8. “Me muero de ganas”. When someone is excited or anxious to do something, it is that “they are dying to do it”. This expression reflects great enthusiasm for doing something. For example, if you are excitedly looking forward to a meeting with your family, you might say: “¡Me muero de ganas de verlos!” (I can’t wait to see them!). This means that you are very excited about that meeting.
9. 9. “Morirse de pena”. When someone is extremely sad or unhappy, we can say that “se está muriendo de pena” (they are dying of sadness). This expression highlights the intensity of the sadness a person is feeling. For example, if someone has lost a loved one and is overwhelmed with sorrow, they might say: “me estoy muriendo de pena”.
10. 10. “Me cago en tus muertos”. This expression is vulgar and offensive. It is used in situations of anger or frustration to express annoyance or discomfort towards someone. It is not advisable to use it in formal or polite situations, as it extremely rude. Its meaning is quite explicit and literal.
11. 11. “Por mis muertos”. This expression is used to express disbelief or surprise at something that seems unlikely or unbelievable. When someone says “por mis muertos,” they are emphasizing their amazement. For example, if someone tells you an unbelievable story you might say with surprise, “¡Por mis muertos, no puedo creerlo!”
12. 12. “Algo ha muerto”. When we use the expression “something is dead,” we are referring to the fact that an object or device, even a personal relationship, doesn’t work anymore or has completely broken down. It is a figurative way of expressing that something can no longer be used. For example, if your cell phone suddenly stops working, you might say: “Mi teléfono ha muerto” (my phone is dead). This indicates that it no longer works and needs to be repaired or replaced, although sometimes it can simply indicate that the phone has no battery.

These are just a few of the many Spanish expressions with the word “muerto” (dead). Don’t forget to use them sensibly and with consideration for those around you. The next time you find yourself in a Spanish conversation, don’t hesitate to use these expressions to speak Spanish like a native speaker.

Now that you know some expressions with word “muerto” in Spanish, dare to explore the livelier side of the language and have fun using them! 💃 💀🗣️