The Great German Superlative- Sau
When learning a language, as we delve deeper into the language, we start to notice words that are used frequently. Sometimes we find these words confusing because the same word has many different meanings depending on the context. Rollo is one such word in Spanish that has that effect.
Although the colloquial form is common through the Spanish speaking world it is in Spain that it has it’s widest use.
The most widely understood meaning of the word rollo is as in English- a roll- something round. A roll of wire, of bread or pastry, spring rolls, rolls of money, a roll of film.
rollo (Photo credit: downloadmac2007)
In colloquial speak, the main meaning of rollo is a story. Usually it has a negative meaning; like a fabricated, false or unbelievable story. But using the right words it can mean a good story.
Que rollo!- Bullshit!, What a drag!
Que buen rollo esa tia!- She’s a really interesting(cool) chick!
It also has the idea of ambience- both personal ambience be it your moods, or general ambience with a crowd, to be in good cheer for example
un buen rollo- good ambience, or atmosphere, a good mood or a cool person
Oye tia! Que buen rollo la fiesta anoche.
Hey girl! What a cool/great party last night
It can be a negative story, in general, an issue, problem
mal rollo– load of crap, a bore
hay mal rollo entre ellos- they have bad blood between them
Cuida cactus espanta pajaros (Photo credit: Ivan Rumata)
It has also come to mean a love encounter, something like a fling, one night stand
un rollo de una noche- one night stand
Creo que esos dos tuvieron un rollo
I think those 2 had a fling
Other associated meanings:
Menudo rollo– boring ¡menudo rollo ese hombre! what a boring man!
ser algo un rollo patatero, to be a real bore Quiero esquivar esa mujer que es un rollo patatero
I want to avoid that woman because she’s a real bore
ser algo un rollo patatero, to be a real bore Quiero esquivar esa mujer que es un rollo patatero
I want to avoid that woman because she’s a real bore
Cada uno a su rollo– Mind your own business
Es un hombre de muy buen rollo– He’s an easy going guy
Es un hombre de muy buen rollo– He’s an easy going guy
Corta el rollo! Cut the crap
El mismo rollo- Es el mismo rollo como siempre =It’s the same old story
Hacerse tanto rollo– why make such a big issue
Porque tehaces tanto rollo con mi corta pelo
Why make such a big issue about my haircut
the back (Photo credit: threedancingmagpies)
There is plenty more Spanish Slang and colloquialisms on our slang pages so just click the link, for some more good lines. Just remember to share the love and click the Facebook like button and/or leave us a comment
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