estar en las nubes
Lemma Details
Translation: to have one's head in the clouds; to be daydreaming; to be distracted; to be absent-minded
Part of Speech: idiom
Etymology: This Spanish idiom literally translates to 'to be in the clouds.' It draws on the universal metaphor of clouds representing a disconnection from reality or practical matters. The image of someone whose thoughts are up in the clouds rather than on the ground reflects the state of being mentally elsewhere or distracted. This metaphorical concept exists in many languages, including the English equivalent 'to have one's head in the clouds.'
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Durante la clase, Juan estaba en las nubes y no escuchó las instrucciones del profesor.
During class, Juan had his head in the clouds and didn't hear the teacher's instructions.
Perdona, estaba en las nubes. ¿Puedes repetir lo que dijiste?
Sorry, I was daydreaming. Can you repeat what you said?
Mi hermana siempre está en las nubes, nunca presta atención a lo que pasa a su alrededor.
My sister is always in the clouds, she never pays attention to what happens around her.
Mnemonics
- Imagine someone with their head literally up in the clouds, unable to hear or see what's happening on the ground.
- Think of clouds as thoughts that float away from reality and practical matters.
- Connect it to the English phrase 'head in the clouds' to remember its meaning.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This idiom is commonly used in everyday Spanish conversation to describe someone who is not paying attention or is mentally elsewhere. It's often used in educational contexts to describe students who aren't focusing, or in social situations when someone isn't following a conversation. It's not considered rude but can be mildly critical.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'estar en las nubes' means to be distracted or daydreaming, 'estar por las nubes' means that something is extremely expensive or 'sky-high' in price.
Confused word:
Los precios de las casas están por las nubes en esta ciudad.
House prices are sky-high in this city.
Notes: The preposition makes a significant difference in meaning: 'en' (in) refers to location (mentally being in the clouds), while 'por' (through/by) refers to movement or trajectory (prices going up through the clouds).
Mnemonic: Remember: 'EN las nubes' = IN your own thoughts; 'POR las nubes' = prices soaring UP through the clouds.