meterse en problemas
/meteɾse en pɾoblemas/from spelling rules
To say 'get in trouble' in Spanish, you use meterse en problemas.
The phrase meterse en problemas is used to describe experiencing negative consequences or being punished for doing something wrong. If you want to specifically say 'get yourself into trouble' in an informal way, you can use meterte en líos. Additionally, ponerse en apuros can be used to convey the idea of getting into trouble or finding oneself in a difficult situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb meterse, which means 'to put oneself' or 'to enter into' and the prepositional phrase en problemas, which means 'in problems'.
Which one should you use?
While meterse en problemas is the standard way to say 'get in trouble', the colloquial alternative meterse en líos is often used to describe getting into messy or complicated situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you personally got in trouble in the past, you use the preterite form of the reflexive verb followed by the phrase, such as me metí en problemas for 'I got in trouble'.
How do you pronounce it?
/meteɾse en pɾoblemas/
Did you know?
- If you want to describe getting into trouble through a mess or a scandal, you can use meterse en un berenjenal, which literally translates to 'getting oneself into an eggplant patch'.
- The verb meter comes from the Latin word for 'to put into', but in modern Spanish it is also used for 'to score a goal' in football, as in meter un gol.
- In some Latin American countries, the phrase meter la pata is used to say someone 'put their foot in it' or caused trouble by saying the wrong thing.
Examples in context
- El jefe me dijo que tendré problemas si no llego tempranoThe boss told me I will get in trouble if I don't arrive early
- Si no sigues las instrucciones, te enfrentarás a dificultadesIf you don't follow the instructions, you will face trouble
- Si sigues haciendo eso, te vas a meter en líosIf you keep doing that, you're going to get in trouble
- Si armas un lío en la fiesta, te meterás en problemasIf you create a fuss at the party, you will get in trouble
- No te pongas en apuros innecesariosDon't get yourself into unnecessary trouble
- Deja de buscarle tres pies al gato, o tendrás problemasStop trying to complicate things, or you'll have problems
- Si no estudias, te vas a meter en problemas.If you don't study, you are going to get in trouble.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofia are talking about a broken vase.
- MateoSofía, rompiste el florero, ¡nos vamos a meterse en problemas!Sofia, you broke the vase, we are going to get in trouble!
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Mateo, yo lo diré.Don't worry, Mateo, I will tell them.
- MateoPero mi mamá se enojará mucho.But my mom will be very angry.
- SofíaEs mejor que no nos sigamos meterse en problemas.It is better that we don't keep getting in trouble.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
