15 Fun Spanish Phrases for Making New Friends

If you're tired of the same old 'hola' and 'gracias' when meeting Spanish speakers, here's a cheat sheet of genuinely fun phrases that’ll make you stand out. These aren’t just textbook lines - they’re the kind of things locals actually say to bond, joke around, or just sound less like a robot. Let’s cut the fluff and get straight to the good stuff.

1. '¿Qué onda?' (What’s the vibe?)

¿Qué onda?

/ke ˈonda/

“What’s up? / What’s the vibe?”

Mexico’s answer to 'What’s up?' - casual, friendly, and way cooler than '¿Cómo estás?'

2. 'Eres más pesado que una vaca en brazos' (You’re heavier than carrying a cow)

Eres más pesado que una vaca en brazos

/ˈeɾes ˈmas peˈsaðo ke ˈuna ˈbaka en ˈbɾasos/

“You’re a handful / You’re exhausting”

A playful way to call someone exhausting - best used with friends who won’t take it personally.

3. 'Me caes bien' (I like you)

Me caes bien

/me ˈkaes ˈbjen/

“I like you”

Direct, simple, and surprisingly underused. Drop this after a good chat to cement a new friendship.

4. '¿Vamos de tapas?' (Fancy some tapas?)

¿Vamos de tapas?

/ˈbamos de ˈtapas/

“Shall we go for tapas?”

The ultimate friendship test. If they say yes, you’re golden. If they say no, question their life choices.

5. 'Eres un sol' (You’re a sun)

Eres un sol

/ˈeɾes un ˈsol/

“You’re a ray of sunshine”

For when someone’s being exceptionally lovely. Corny? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

6. 'No me toques las narices' (Don’t poke my nose)

No me toques las narices

/no me ˈtokes las naˈɾises/

“Don’t wind me up”

The Spanish equivalent of 'Don’t push my buttons.' Use it when a new mate is teasing you a bit too much.

7. 'Somos uña y carne' (We’re nail and flesh)

Somos uña y carne

/ˈsomos ˈuɲa i ˈkaɾne/

“We’re thick as thieves”

A bizarre but endearing way to say you’ve hit it off with someone. Works best after a few shared experiences.

8. '¿Te apuntas?' (You in?)

¿Te apuntas?

/te aˈpuntas/

“Are you in?”

The go-to phrase for spontaneous plans. Whether it’s a drink or a road trip, this is how you escalate acquaintanceship.

9. 'Me parto contigo' (I crack up with you)

Me parto contigo

/me ˈpaɾto konˈtiɣo/

“You crack me up”

For when someone’s humour aligns perfectly with yours. A solid compliment in any friendship.

10. 'Eres la leche' (You’re the milk)

Eres la leche

/ˈeɾes la ˈletʃe/

“You’re awesome”

Weird idiom, great meaning. Use it sparingly - it’s high praise.

11. 'Nos cogemos manía' (We’ll grow on each other)

Nos cogemos manía

/nos koˈxemos maˈnia/

“We’ll grow on each other”

A self-aware way to acknowledge an awkward start that’s turning into something better.

12. '¿Quién te ha dado vela en este entierro?' (Who gave you a candle at this funeral?)

¿Quién te ha dado vela en este entierro?

/ˈkjen te a ˈðaðo ˈbela en ˈeste enˈtjero/

“Who asked you?”

The most dramatic way to tell someone to mind their own business. Best reserved for close friends who won’t take offence.

13. 'Tienes más cuento que Calleja' (You’ve got more stories than Calleja)

Tienes más cuento que Calleja

/ˈtjenes ˈmas ˈkwento ke kaˈʎexa/

“You’re full of it”

For the friend who embellishes every story. Named after a famously long-winded Spanish TV host.

14. 'Me lo paso bomba contigo' (I have a blast with you)

Me lo paso bomba contigo

/me lo ˈpaso ˈbomba konˈtiɣo/

“I have a blast with you”

A high-energy way to say someone’s fun to hang out with. Works especially well after a night out.

15. 'Somos como el perro y el gato' (We’re like cat and dog)

Somos como el perro y el gato

/ˈsomos ˈkomo el ˈpero i el ˈɡato/

“We’re like cat and dog”

For when your friendship is equal parts bickering and affection. Embrace the chaos.

Pro tip: These phrases work best when delivered with a grin. Spanish humour thrives on playful exaggeration, so don’t hold back.

Want more? Check out our guide to learning Spanish through memes for even more informal gems.