Idioms are a unique reflection of the culture of each language. They are the phrases we use almost without thinking and that, when someone hears them for the first time, tend to provoke a “what did you just say?” look.
For example, if someone says “It’s raining cats and dogs” and you do not speak English, you might look up at the sky for cats and dogs falling. Or if someone comes out with a Spanish “cuando las ranas críen pelo” (“when frogs grow hair”), you might think they are talking about biology, not about something highly unlikely.
But how do we translate these expressions without losing their essence? How do we make someone in another language understand both the meaning and the cultural impact? That is the fascinating challenge facing professional translators.
What will you find in this article?
- Why idioms are a challenge (and an art) in translation.
- Key techniques for adapting them successfully.
- Curious examples of idioms in different languages.
What are idioms and why are they a challenge in translation?
Idioms are the secret soul of a language. The expressions we use almost without thinking, yet which hold a unique view of the world. The key? You cannot interpret them literally.
For example:
- “Estás en las nubes” (“you are in the clouds”) → No, nobody is picturing themselves floating on cotton wool. It means you are distracted, switched off, perhaps thinking about your own things while someone waits for an answer. The English equivalent is “having your head in the clouds”.
- “Kill two birds with one stone” (in Spanish, “matar dos pájaros de un tiro”) → A pragmatic, direct expression that makes it clear: maximum efficiency. But try explaining it literally to someone and you will see their astonished face… and their concern for the birds.
Idioms are small cultural windows that reflect how a society thinks, feels and sees the world. That is where their magic lies, but also their difficulty.
Now, what happens when we try to translate them?
- Do we leave them as they are, assuming the reader will make an effort to understand?
- Or do we adapt them to the target language, running the risk of losing their cultural flavour?
This brings us to the real challenge: the translation of idioms is much more than a linguistic exercise; it is a question of balance between fidelity to the original language and clarity for the target audience. Although words can be translated, the soul of a language lives in its cultural expressions.
And that is true. What would English be without its “raining cats and dogs”, or Spanish without its “líos de padre y muy señor mío” (a “mess of father and my dear sir”, meaning a tangled, complicated situation)?
A practical example:
A few years ago, a translator faced the phrase: “The ball is in your court”. Translating it as “La pelota está en tu tejado” (“the ball is on your roof”) worked perfectly in Spain, but for audiences in Latin America, people would wonder… what roof? It was not so clear. In the end, the solution was to paraphrase: “Es tu turno de tomar la decisión” (“It is your turn to make the decision”).
Key techniques for translating idioms successfully
Translating idioms is like juggling with words: you need balance, creativity and, above all, to understand who you are talking to. There is no universal formula, but here are three essential techniques to get it right:
1. Cultural adaptation: when each language has its own “flavour”
This is the best option when the target language has an equivalent that conveys the same idea and has the same impact.
- “Bite the bullet” → in Spanish, “Aguantarse el chaparrón”
Sometimes there is no choice but to endure a difficult situation with courage. Saying “morder la bala” in Spanish does not have the same effect, but “aguantarse el chaparrón” (literally, “to put up with the downpour”) conveys perfectly the idea of bearing something uncomfortable or painful without complaining too much. - “Break a leg” → in Spanish, “¡Mucha mierda!”
In English, this expression is used to wish someone luck before a performance or important event, although it literally means “break a leg”. In Spanish, especially in theatre and the arts, “¡Mucha mierda!” is used, an expression that originates from the days when the success of a play was measured by the number of carriages arriving at the theatre… and by what the horses left at the entrance!
Why does it work?
Cultural adaptation connects with the audience because it feels natural. The key is to identify the cultural similarities that make it possible to replace the original idiom with another that means the same thing in the target language without losing its essence.
2. Paraphrasing: when you cannot translate, but you can explain
In some cases, there is no direct equivalent in the target language. Then we turn to paraphrasing: we explain the concept, adapting it to the context.
- “The ball is in your court” → in Spanish, “Es tu turno de tomar una decisión.”
Literally, the ball is not in any court, but the message is clear: now it is your turn to act. - “Actions speak louder than words” → in Spanish, “Las acciones valen más que las palabras.”
There is no need to reinvent the wheel here, just to convey the idea clearly.
Why does it work?
Paraphrasing is ideal in formal or technical texts, where precision matters more than cultural colour. It helps avoid confusion and keeps the message clean and direct.
3. Creating a new expression: reinventing the message
When there is no clear equivalent and paraphrasing is not effective, it is time to get creative. The idea is to come up with a phrase that works in the target language, respecting the cultural context.
- “Let the cat out of the bag” → in Spanish, “Se le escapó el secreto.” (“the secret slipped out”)
Why was a cat in a bag? Nobody knows. But once adapted, the message is clear: someone said something they should not have.
Why does it work?
Because sometimes the recipients of our message need something completely new that fits their reality. It is a creative solution that keeps the impact of the message without confusing the reader.
A practical example
Imagine this: in a video game, the phrase “You’re on fire!” appears and is translated literally as “¡Estás en llamas!” (“you are in flames!”). In the competitive context, the original message meant the player was on a streak, but the translation could confuse Spanish-speaking audiences, making them think their character is in danger.
The moral: not everything that works in one language makes literal sense in another. Sometimes, context is everything. Translating idioms requires careful analysis of the target audience, the tone and the purpose of the text. What works in a video game may not be suitable for a legal contract, and vice versa.
Idioms that connect cultures: fascinating examples
Idioms are not unique to each language; they are a reminder of how connected we are as human beings. Although the words change, the emotions and values behind them are often universal. Let us look at some examples that show it:
“Más vale tarde que nunca” → “Better late than never”
This expression is understood everywhere in the world because we have all, at some point, arrived late to something (and hoped to be forgiven for it). But beyond the literal meaning, this idiom reflects a universal value: it is always better to try, even if it is not at the perfect moment.
Curiosity:
German has a similar equivalent: “Besser spät als nie.” However, in some Asian cultures, where punctuality is essential, this saying could be read more as an excuse than as a positive lesson.
“Actions speak louder than words” → “Las acciones valen más que las palabras”
A message that transcends languages and cultures, underlining the importance of what we do over what we say. This idiom is especially relevant in the professional and personal world, where actions truly build trust and credibility.
A curious example:
In Japan, although this phrase is not translated directly, the concept is deeply rooted in business culture. There, work well done is valued more than excessive promises, an idea very much in line with this idiom.
“Out of the frying pan, into the fire” → “Salir de Guatemala y entrar en Guatepeor”
Here is an example where the meaning is kept, but the image changes drastically. In English you picture someone or something jumping from a frying pan into the fire, while Spanish plays with the humorous similarity in sound between “Guatemala” and “Guatepeor” (“Guate-worse”).
Other options could also be considered depending on the context and target audience, perhaps closer to the English version, such as:
- “Huir del fuego para caer en las brasas” (“to flee the fire only to fall into the embers”)
- “Salir del lodo y caer en el arroyo” (“to leave the mud and fall into the stream”)
What does this tell us?
Both languages share the idea of going from one problem to an even worse one, but express it in completely different ways, reflecting the cultural characteristics of each language: the pragmatism of English versus the wit and humour of Spanish.
Interesting fact:
In French, the equivalent would be: “Tomber de Charybde en Scylla”. It refers to Greek mythology, where Charybdis (Charybde) and Scylla were two sea monsters on opposite sides of a strait. Sailors who tried to avoid one ended up in the clutches of the other.
Other curious examples that connect cultures
- “El que madruga, Dios lo ayuda” → “The early bird catches the worm”
The message is clear: preparation and proactivity are rewarded. Although the images vary (God in Spanish, a bird and a worm in English), the concept of seizing opportunities early is reflected across many cultures. - “Perro que ladra no muerde” → “His bark is worse than his bite”
Both reflect the idea that you do not always need to fear those who seem most aggressive. A simple but powerful metaphor. - “Al mal tiempo, buena cara” → “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”
While in Spanish we talk about facing problems with a positive attitude, English puts the emphasis on making the most of difficulties. Different images, same lesson. We assume that bad weather in England is taken for granted…
Idioms, although on the surface they seem unique to each language, share universal ideas. Whether it is a saying about weather, perseverance or hardship, these expressions show that, despite linguistic differences, there are values that unite us all.
Conclusion: translating emotions, not words
If translating were just a mechanical exercise of swapping words from one language to another, any software would do it perfectly. But here we are, in 2025, and we still need professional translators. Why?
Because language is not just a code. It is emotion, identity and culture. And few things show it better than idioms. Every language has its own way of seeing the world. The words change, but the emotions behind them are universal.
So how do you translate idioms effectively?
With linguistic knowledge, cultural adaptation and, very often, creativity. And that is where we come in. At Overseas Translations, words are only the beginning. Our job is not to translate; it is to make sure your message keeps its impact, its tone and its cultural essence, whatever the language.
