The Power of ‘Más’: Colombia’s Funniest Comparatives

Colombians have a way with words and a particular brand of sarcasm when it comes to comparing one thing with […]

Colombians have a way with words and a particular brand of sarcasm when it comes to comparing one thing with another. Here are the nation’s funniest comparatives but, beware, there are some comparisons you definitely don’t want to hear:

Más aburrido que un mico en un bonsai

If someone is “more bored than a monkey in a bonsai tree” life is very dull indeed.

Más contento que un marrano estrenando lazo

But if you’re “happier than a pig in a new bowtie” things are looking up.

Más peligroso que caldo de anzuelos

Caldo is a much-loved soup, watch out if something is “more dangerous than a caldo made with hooks”.

Más prendido que arbolito de Navidad

If a friend is “more lit up than a Christmas tree,” they may have had a drink or three.

Más ordinario que lechuga en florero

What on earth could be “tackier than lettuce in a vase”?

Más raro que un perro a cuadros

Or “weirder than a checkered dog”?

Más ordinario que taxi con registradora

You would have to go a long way to find something “tackier than a taxi with a till”

Más ordinario que monja vendiendo chance

And the same goes for something “tackier than a nun selling lottery tickets”.

Más largo que una semana sin carne

 If something is “longer than a week without meat,” it’s long indeed.

 Más claro no canta un gallo

And if a “cockerel couldn’t sing it any clearer” it was made pretty obvious.

Más ordinario que fríjoles con champaña

What could be “tackier than beans with champagne”?

Más raro que una sandía con huesos

Or “weirder than a watermelon with bones”?

Más feo que un carro visto por debajo

If something is “uglier than the underside of a car” it’s not looking good.

Más contento que cachaco en playa

Few are “happier than a cachaco at the beach.” Cachacos come from Colombia’s interior.

Más contento que MacGyver en Homecenter

Who could be “happier than MacGyver in Homecenter”, a reference to fictional 1980s secret agent Angus MacGuyver, who solved complex problems with household objects. Homecenter is one of Colombia’s most popular DIY stores.

Más desubicado que un perro en un trasteo

What could be more disorientated and out of place than a “dog on a moving day”?

Más perdido que Papá Noel en mayo

Or more absent or lost than “Father Christmas in May”?

Más viejo que la panela

“Older than panela”? Has anything been around longer than the country’s prized, unrefined whole cane sugar?

Learn the lingo like a local? Live this experience in Colombia. If you liked this article please feel free to share it on Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or any of your social networks.

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