Today I have 4 essential learning Spanish phrases for living in Latin America to share with you. If you are vacationing in Latin America these phrases may or may not be helpful to know. But if you are living in Latin America, or even if you are not living in Latin America, but have Latino friends or a Spanish-speaking significant other, these phrases are good to know.
1. No te metas en esto – Don't put yourself in this.
This is a Spanish phrase that I could used with a few American, Canadian, British, and Australian tourists who come to Colombia. They'll occasionally ask me about obtaining two things of interest they that really should not get themselves involved in for their own safety. Yes, I am talking about the two things that you are thinking about. I will tell them in English "don't get involved in that." Or in Spanish …
No te metas en eso.
(Don't involve yourself in that.)
Here's a "dicho" or saying in Spanish:
No te metas donde no te llaman.
Literally, it means "don't put yourself where they don't call you." A similar saying in English is "don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong." The phrase "no te metas en lo que no te importa" also means "don't put yourself in what does not concern you" or "don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
2. Eso no se hace – "one does not do that" or "you should not do that."
"Eso no se hace" is another Spanish phrase that would be helpful for me when speaking to Americans and other foreigners who come to Colombia and want to risk their safety for "vicios" (vices or bad habits).
By the way, "vicio" is another Spanish word that you will hear frequently if you live in Latin America. Here's a Spanish "dicho" or saying with the word "vicio":
Los vicios son los hijos del ocio. "Vices are born from idleness" or literally, "vices are the sons of idleness."
3. Dejar las cosas así – leave things the way they are
4. Si las cosas salen bien If things go well.
If everything turns out fine.
This is another useful phrase. For example, "si las cosas salen bien …" as in "if everything goes well (in a relationship.)"
This is end today's Spanish lesson on four (4) useful or helpful Spanish phrases for life in Latin America.