Jeepers creepers!

Jeepers creepers. Meaning. Examples. Jeepers creepers in other languages.

Meaning

Jeepers Creepers or just jeepers or creepers is an expression of surprise or annoyance derived from Jesus Christ. You use this exclamation especially if there are kids around or you are from the 1950s. It is similar to Darn it!

Examples

Jeepers creepers! He just shot Albert!

Jeepers creepers! He’s done it again!

douche canoe
jeepers creepers

Jeepers creepers in Catalan

Vatua l’olla! (literally, Oh pot!). Also, Mare de DĂ©u (literally, mother of God) or Alsa Manela (Wow Manela!).

jeepers creepers in Catalan
alça Manela

Jeepers creepers in French

In French you can say zut  (literally, cursed, although its meaning can vary considerably depending on the context), Mille misĂšres! (literally, a thousand miseries!), or even the multi-purpose Merde! “(Literally, shit! ).

jeepers creepers in French

Jeepers creepers in German

In German you can use Mensch! (Literally, “man!”), which is an exclamation of surprise.

Jeepers creepers in Italian

In Italian you can say Capperacci (something along the lines of Jeepers creepers or Damn it), or Cavoli!  (literally, sprouts!). For example: Capperacci, sober ubriaco! (Jeepers Creepers, I’m drunk!).

Jeepers creepers in Mandarin Chinese

In Mandarin Chinese you can say  ć“Žć‘€ (pronounced tiān nǎ, āiy Ä, which is used to express astonishment and translates literally as oh, God!). For example: ć“Žć‘€, 看看 郜 懠ç‚č äș†! 我 芁 晚 äș†! (Jeepers creepers! Look at the time! I’m late!).

Jeepers creepers in Chinese

Jeepers creepers in Portuguese

In Portuguese we can say carpa or eh pĂĄ! which are also expressions of surprise or annoyance.

Jeepers creepers in Spanish

In Spanish you can say ÂĄCĂłrcholis!,ÂĄRecĂłrcholis!,ÂĄMecachis! ÂĄCarajo!… And also ÂĄCaray! O ÂĄCĂĄsita! For instance: RecĂłrcholis, ÂĄno hay manera! (Jeepers creepers, there’s no way to do it!).

jeepers creepers in European Spanish

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Common British English expressions translated to Catalan II

Typical British expressions and their equivalent in Catalan language PART 2

Bones!

Welcome back! Here are 20 further common British English expressions translated to Catalan. As in the first part of Common BrE expressions translated to Catalan, they sound very idiomatic in both languages, so, again, if you ever go to the UK or Catalonia and use these expressions, you will probably impress locals.So let’s have a look at these new expressions:

(to) be stuffed

To be stuffed means to be very full. In Catalan language it can be translated as the very idiomatic expression estar tip, for example No en vull mĂ©s. Estic tip (I’m good. I’m stuffed).

I’m gutted

I’m gutted means that I am very disappointed. In Catalan, you can say M’he quedat xof / Estic decebut/da.

I’m gutted

(To) be in a pickle

It means (to) be in a difficult or confused situation. In Catalan Estar (ficat) en un merder / embolic.

I’m in a pickle.

That’s mental / It’s mental

Something is crazy or surprising. In Catalan És de bojos (to say that something is a madness) or Quina passada or Brutal (for a surprising thing) depending on the context..

It’s mental!

Give me a bell

It basically means Get in touch with me or Call me. Very similar to the expression we saw in the first part Give me a tinkle (on the blower)> In Catalan, you can say Fes-me un truc or just Truca’m (Call me).

Give me a bell

(to) be in a mood

It means (to) be in a bad mood / upset. In Catalan slang you can say Estar ratllat. In a colloquial language you can say No estar del tot fi/fina or Estar de mala lluna.

I’m in a mood

Crickey / Blimey

It is an expressions to show shock or surprise. In Catalan, you can say Ostres!, ospa! (this one quite provincial), Caram! or, in slang language Wala! (this one quite urban).

(to) take the mickey out of someone

It means to make a joke about someone or to tease them. You are taking the mickey out of me. In Catalan You are taking the mickey out of me can be translated as Em fots el pĂšl or Me l’estĂ s fotent.

He’s taking the mickey out of us.

(to) pull someone’s leg

Very similar to make the mickey out of someone. This somewhat old-fashioned expression means to make a joke about someone or to tease them. In Catalan Prendre / fotre el pĂšl.

(to) faff about / around

We are constantly doing it, specially with social networks. Waffing about or around means to waste time doing unimportant tasks instead of the thing that one should be doing. In Catalan you can say Fer el dropo or Perdre / Matar el temps.

(to) lose the plot

(to) Lose the plot means (to) become confused / (to) do something crazy. In Catalan you can say anar-se’n l’olla. Se m’ha anat l’olla (I lost the plot).

I’ve lost the plot

That’s crap

Slang. You wouldn’t use it in a formal situation. You use it to say that something is not good, that something is rubbish, of low quality. In Catalan you can say És una merda or de merda (if it works as an adjective). For instance una peli de merda (A crap movie). We love the expression Una merda pinxada en un pal (literally, a shit pricked with a stick) to refer to something that is worth nothing.

(to) nick

(to) Nick is slang for (to) steal something. In Catalan you can say Pispar (slang). There is also the slang word mangar, if you like. It is not so genuine as pispar, but many people say it.

(to) have had one’s chips

(to) fail at something or lose an opportunity. In Catalan you can say Cagar-la or espifiar-la. L’he cagat! (=I’ve had my chips!). Nano, l’has cagat! (Dude, you’ve had your chips!)

You’ve had your chips.

The bee’s knees

Slang. Something that is excellent, of a high quality. In Catalan language is ser la hĂČstia, una passada, brutal. Top. Pensa que Ă©s la hĂČstia, perĂČ nomĂ©s Ă©s una altra poser d’Instagram (=She thinks she is the bee’s knees, but she’s just another Instagram poser).

(to) take the biscuit

It means (to) be rude/offensive/particularly bad. In Catalan is ser un estĂșpid, ser un impresentable, (or un borde).

Shattered

As we saw in the first part of this series, it is synonymous with Knackered, which means very tired. In Catalan it is Fet pols or Rebentat. Estic fet pols. Estic rebentat. (I’m knackered. I’m shattered).

I’m shattered

I’m not being funny, but

It means I don’t mean to be rude, but… (very idiomatic, it sounds very British). In Catalan you can say No Ă©s per tallar el rotllo, perĂČ… Notice that here the word funny changes its meaning.

I’m not being funny, but…

A spanner in the works

It refers to something unexpected that can disrupt or confuse a situation. In Catalan you can say Posar pals a les rodes. For instance, Van retirar el finançament per l’espectacle i aixĂČ va posar pals a les rodes (The funding for the show was withdrawn so that really threw a spanner in the works). As you may know, a spanner is a tool with a shaped opening or jaws for gripping and turning a nut or bolt, so the metaphor is quite clear here.

(to) head somewhere

It essentially means (to) go somewhere. In Catalan, Fer cap a algun lloc. Fem cap a la festa. We’re heading for the party.

Mint / That’s mint

It refers to something that is excellent or in perfect condition. In Catalan you can say Genial, perfecte or de pu*a mare.. (the missing word is t). For instance That’s mint! (EstĂ  perfecte)

Brolly

Slang for umbrella. Informal. Oh, no! I forgot my brolly! Catalan: ParaigĂŒes.

Beeb

Colloquial expression for BBC. Informal.

Uni

Short for University. Informal. Catalan: la Uni.

Telly

Short for television. Informal. There’s nothing on the telly. Catalan: No fan res a la tele.

Chrimbo

Colloquial for Christmas. Informal. Are you going away for Chrimbo? Catalan: Nadal.

Footy

Short for football. Informal. Catalan: Futbol.

Offie

Short for Off-License. Informal. I’m just going to get some beers from the offi. Catalan: Botiga de queviures

Tommy K

Colloquial for Tomato Ketchup. Informal. Catalan: Ketchup.

Veg

Short for vegetables. Informal. Catalan: verdures.

Bicky

Short for biscuit. Informal. Catalan: galeta.

Brekky

Short for breakfast. Informal. Catalan: esmorzar.

Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.

Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your comments and questions. Nuts ~Tocat del bolet, Catalan culture crossing borders! Share this post!

Don’t miss out on:

Common British English expressions translated to Catalan I

Common British English expressions translated to Catalan III (Slang edition)

Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in Catalan

Have a good one! (Que vagi bé!)

Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!

Idioms, sayings, fascinating language facts… Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in other languages

Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle meaning

The idiom monkey’s uncle is used to express astonishment, complete surprise or disbelief. A synonymous expression is It’s beyond belief! It can also be used to point out the infeasability of a situation, in the same way that “when pigs fly” is used.

Example

— Hey dude, there is a news article about a dog reciting “To be or not to be”!
— Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!

“The government wants to improve public services,” said Boris. “Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle,” said Jeremy, “didn’t they just slash the social services budget in half?”

I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in Catalan

There is a widespread idiom in Catalan which reads N’hi ha per a llogar-hi cadires! (literally, ‘We could even rent chairs!’) which is also used to express astonishment, complete surprise or disbelief. It can also be used to point out the infeasibility of a situation, in the same way that ‘(well) I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!’ is used in English.

I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in French

In French there are several equivalent expressions to ‘(well) I’ll be a monkey’s uncle’ , for example, the most emblematic and international of all: ‘Oh la la!’ , which usually has rather positive connotations. There’s also C’est Ă©tonnant! (It’s incredible!), Je n’en reviens pas! (I can’t believe it!), J’en suis restĂ© bouche bĂ©e (I’m speechless), Tu plaisantes! (literally, C’mon! You can’t be serious) … and one that we love:  Mais qu’est ce que c’est que ça! (literally, ‘but what is it!’), Which usually has an angry connotation. Finally, we can also use the expression Mince alors (which has the approximate meaning of (upon) my word!).

I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in German

To express surprise in German, there is the curious idiom Ich glaub mich knutscht ein Elch! (Literally, I think an elk is kissing me!. And the interjection” Ach, nee! “(Literally,” Oh, come on!” ). * An elk is a ruminant mammal similar to a deer.

I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in Portuguese

In Portuguese, to express surprise in the face of something unexpected, there is a very curious expression, one of those idioms which translated literally sounds quite surrealistic: Macacos me mordam! (Literally, May macaques bite me!). Nevertheless, it uses monkeys, just like in English.

I’ll be a monkey’s uncle in Spanish

Here, surely, a never-ending debate could be opened, but the closest interjection to (Well) I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! in Spanish is ÂĄLo que hay que ver! or Hay que ver! . There’s also ÂĄMadre mĂ­a! (literally My mother!) Since it can express surprise, disappointment or displeasure. Although in a more colloquial record, there is also another possibility that we particulary love: CĂĄgate lorito! (literally, Shit yourself little parrot!) . In Spanish we would also have other expressions of surprise in the presence of something unexpected, such as ÂĄQue me parta un rayo! (literlly, May a beam break me in two!).

Nuts ~ Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.

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Common British English expressions translated to Catalan

Typical British expressions and their equivalent in Catalan language

Very British English expressions translated to Catalan

Here are 22 common British English expressions translated to Catalan. As a matter of fact, they sound very idiomatic in both languages, so if you ever go to Catalonia and you use these Catalan expressions, you will probably blow people’s minds!

By the way, you may have wondered what the name of this blog, “tocat del bolet” means. It is a Catalan idiom that can be translated into English as cracked; crazy; potty; round the bend; nuts; crackers; bonkered or (as) nutty as a fruitcake .

This is our first post in English. However, if you visit the section in Catalan, at least you’ll be able to translate them with google translate. We know it’s not the same, specially with idioms, but it can give you an idea about this blog.

Let us however, without further ado, take a good look at the list of genuine British expressions.

I’m knackered!

I’m knackered means “I’m very tired”. In Catalan, “Estic fet pols” (literally, “I’m dust”) or “Estic fet caldo” (literally, “I’m broth”). Both “Estic fet pols” and “Estic fet caldo” are what Catalan native speakers would naturally say when they are really tired.

It’s not my cup of tea

“It’s not my cup of tea” means “I don’t like it very much” or “I’m not very fond of sth” or “It’s not my type”. In Catalan, “No em fa el pes” (literally, “It doest make the weight”). I know, it doesn’t make much sense, but you know, idioms not always have a literal meaning. It is a very common Catalan expression. If you want to say that someone is not your type, you can also say “no Ă©s el meu tipus” .

It's not my cup of tea in Catalan
Catalan expressions

Fancy a cuppa?

It is an invitation to have tea together. In Catalan, “Fem un te?” (literally, “let’s have a tea (together)”) . You can actually use the verb fem with coffee, beers…

☕ Fancy a cuppa?

I’m pissed

It means that you are drunk. In Catalan, “Vaig pet” . Literally, “I go fart”.

Mate

Maybe the quintessential British word. It is slang for “friend” . It is very common in Australia too, and although it is not used in American English,  it is understood by English speakers all over the world. In Catalan, “company” . You can also use the word “amic” (friend), but it has slightly different connotations.

That’s rubbish!

It means “nonesense”. In Catalan, “I quĂš mĂ©s?!” (literally, “And what more!?”, or “Au, vinga!” (literally, “C’mon, you can’t be serious!” ). On the other hand, “Bollocks!” can be translated as “Collonades!” (literally, “bollocks!”).

Bollocks!

It is a swear word that refers to the male organs contained in the scrotum. In Catalan “Collons!” if you are cursing and “collonades” if you are referring to information deliberately intended to mislead or nonsense. “Collons” is one of the first swear words a foreigner learns in Catalan.

Bob’s your uncle

Bob’s your uncle is added to the end of sentences to express “and that’s it” . In Catalan you can say “i llestos” (literaly, “and ready”) at the end of a sentence to convey the same meaning. In Catalan there’s also another possibility, which is “tal dia farĂ  un any” (literally, “any day, a year will have passed by”) and it is used to downplay an issue.

Bob's your uncle

Fancy that

Primarily heard in UK. Usually said when someone is surprised to hear or see something. In Catalan, you can say “Ves per on!” . It is a very Catalan expression quite difficult to translate. It literally means “Go along where!” or even, in not such a literal way, “I didn’t expect that coming!” .

Damp squib

See the meaning in the picture below. In Catalan, “un bluf” (literally, “a flop”).

Bugger off!

It means “Go away” . In Catalan you can say “fot el camp!” (literally, “fuck the field”. Yes, we know, it sounds kind of weird, but in Catalan it sounds very natural, although, come to think of it, it is quite rude).

Bugger off! Sod off! Fot el camp!
Bugger off! Sod off! Fot el camp!

Sod off!

It also means “Go away” . In Catalan you can say “fot el camp“(see previous entry)

Fancy a few sherbets?

That’s an invitation to have some beers or spirits together. In Catalan, “Fem unes birres?” (literally, “let’s have some beers?”. The word sherbet apparently has a comedic effect when pronounced in a South London accent.

Can’t be arsed

It means “Cannot be bothered”, or that you don’t feel it worthwhile to make the effort of standing up and doing something. In Catalan, there is the slang expression “No em ratllis” (literally, “Don’t grate me”). This implies that you don’t feel like being bothered by someone.

What a cock up!

It means “What a mistake!” . In Catalan, you can say “Quina cagada!” (literally, “what a shit!” or “what a blunder!”) o “Quina ficada de pota!” (something along the lines of “Ooops, I’ve really put my foot in it!”).

I have to spend a penny

It means “I have to go to the toilet”. In Catalan “vaig a canviar l’aigua de les olives” (literally, “I’m going to change the water of my olives”).

What are you going on about?

It means “What are you talking about?”. In Catalan slang is “QuĂš t’empatolles?” .

(S)He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic 

It means “(S)He is not very smart”. In Catalan, “Ă©s una mica curt/a de gambals” .

You’re a ledge

This is a shortening of the word “legend.” A legend is someone who is very good at something, even well-known, often for doing something great or incredible.  In Catalan, “Ets un crack!” . Messi is a ledge! El Messi Ă©s un crack.

Bloody hell!

It is a curse to show that you are angry. There are many ways to translate this expression in Catalan, such as “MaleĂŻt sia!” (literally, “Damn it”) or “Em cago en tot!” (literally , “I shit on everything”).

Give me a tinkle on the blower

It means “Give me a call” or “ring me”. The phrase is often shortened to “give me a tinkle” . Many Catalans say “Fes-me un truc” (literally, “make me a call”). But watch out! If you ask a magician “Fes-me un truc”, you are actually asking them to do a magic trick for you.

It’s swings and roundabouts

This idiom has to do with life’s ups and downs, with gains and losses that offset each other. In Catalan there is an idiom that reads “Una de freda i una de calenta” (literally, “A cold one and a hot one”) which has the same meaning.

It's swings and roundabouts in Catalan

Common British English expressions translated to Catalan II

Common British English expressions translated to Catalan III

Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.

Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your comments and questions. Nuts ~Tocat del bolet, Catalan culture crossing borders! Share this post!