vete a freír espárragos
/bete a fɾeiɾ esparaɡos/from spelling rules
To say 'kick rocks' in Spanish, you can use vete a freír espárragos.
This phrase is an idiomatic and informal way to tell someone to depart, run away or leave you alone. It is used dismissively when you want someone to go away.
Meaning: depart or run away, often used dismissively (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'go fry asparagus'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Vete a freír espárragos is an informal expression. Another informal way to express a similar sentiment of telling someone to 'go to hell' or 'buzz off' is Vete a la porra.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase starts with vete, which is the imperative form of the verb irse (to leave or go).
Did you know?
- The phrase's absurdity stems from the fact that frying asparagus is a time-consuming and unusual task, making the command a way to tell someone to go waste their time elsewhere.
- While vete a freír espárragos sounds like a cooking instruction, it is a polite alternative to more vulgar insults. It allows a speaker to dismiss someone harshly without using profanity.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear people say vete a freír chinos instead of using asparagus. Both phrases serve the same dismissive purpose of telling someone to go away.
Examples in context
- Oye, vete a freír espárragos, ¿vale?Hey, go fry asparagus, okay?
- Si no te gusta mi comida, vete a freír espárragos.If you don't like my food, kick rocks.
- ¡Vete a freír espárragos y déjame en paz!Kick rocks and leave me alone!
- No quiero tus consejos, así que vete a freír espárragos.I don't want your advice, so kick rocks.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are arguing about a trivial matter.
- MateoMaría, deja de molestar con ese tema.María, stop bothering me with that topic.
- María¡No te estoy molestando, solo digo la verdad!I'm not bothering you, I'm just telling the truth!
- Mateo¡Vete a freír espárragos, no te quiero escuchar!Kick rocks, I don't want to hear you!
- María¡Está bien, me voy!Fine, I'm leaving!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
