estás en problemas
/estas en pɾoblemas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you're in trouble" is translated into Spanish as estás en problemas.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they will be punished or face negative consequences for their actions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase estás en problemas literally translates to "you are in problems".
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone formally or to speak about a third person, change estás to está. To tell a group of people they are in trouble, use the plural form están en problemas.
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, the phrase estás en el horno literally means 'you are in the oven' but is used to say you are in deep trouble.
- The word problema is a masculine noun in Spanish, even though it ends in the letter a, which usually indicates a feminine noun.
- In a playful or ironic way, a Spaniard might say someone is en un jardín to mean they are in a messy or complicated situation.
Examples in context
- Estás en problemas, ¿no?You're in trouble, aren't you?This example shows how to use estás en problemas in a question.Tatoeba #10211775 by manufrutos, translation #1994407 by CK
- Si no terminas la tarea, estás en problemas.If you don't finish the homework, you're in trouble.
- ¡Estás en problemas si te encuentran allí!You're in trouble if they find you there!
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a broken vase.
- MateoLucía, ¿rompiste el jarrón de mamá?Lucía, did you break mom's vase?
- LucíaSí, fue un accidente.Yes, it was an accident.
- Mateo¡Uy! Estás en problemas con ella.Oh! You're in trouble with her.
- LucíaLo sé, tengo mucho miedo.I know, I'm very scared.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
