estamos a mano
/estamos a mano/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'we are even' is translated into Spanish as estamos a mano.
The phrase is used when two people no longer owe each other money or favors. It conveys the idea of being at the same level or settling a debt.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, estamos a mano translates to 'we are at hand', where a mano functions as an idiom meaning 'even' or 'square'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar (to be) rather than ser (to be) because it describes a temporary state of being even. To say 'they are even' or 'you all are even', change the verb from estamos to están (están a mano). You can also use the verb quedar instead of estar to emphasize the act of reaching a state of being even, such as quedar a mano (to settle the score / to become even).
How do you pronounce it?
/estamos a mano/
Did you know?
- While 'mano' means 'hand' in most contexts, some linguists suggest the word might actually be a shortened version of 'hermano', meaning 'brother'.
- While estamos a mano settles a debt, using it in a competitive context, such as a game, implies that the score is tied.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying estamos a mano after a small favor is a polite way to signal that no further gratitude or repayment is necessary.
Examples in context
- Estamos a mano.We are even.This example shows the use of estamos a mano.Tatoeba #1198074 by marcelostockle, translation #582692 by adynee
- Me complace informarle que hemos saldado nuestras cuentas.I am pleased to inform you that we have settled our accounts.
- Gracias por invitarme a cenar. La próxima vez pago yo y estamos a mano.Thanks for inviting me to dinner. Next time it's on me, and we are even.
- No te debo nada. Todos los favores que me has hecho ya están pagados.I don't owe you anything. All the favors you've done for me are already paid.
- Ya no me debes nada, estamos a mano.You don't owe me anything anymore, we are even.
- Con este pago, estamos a mano.With this payment, we are even.
Example conversation
Sofía pays Alejandro back for a lunch she missed last week.
- SofíaAquí tienes el dinero del almuerzo, Alejandro.Here is the money for the lunch, Alejandro.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía. ¿Ahora estamos a mano?Thanks, Sofia. Are we even now?
- SofíaSí, ya estamos a mano.Yes, we are even now.
- AlejandroPerfecto, me alegra que ya no nos debamos nada.Perfect, I'm glad we don't owe each other anything anymore.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, mano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
