المعنى
To get involved in a complicated or problematic situation unnecessarily.
خلفية ثقافية
In Spain, this phrase is often used with a shrug of the shoulders. It reflects a 'live and let live' attitude that is common in social settings to avoid unnecessary conflict. While used in Mexico, you might also hear 'meterse en broncas' (to get into fights/trouble). 'Camisa de once varas' sounds a bit more traditional or 'old school'. In Argentina, 'meterse en un quilombo' is the slang equivalent, but 'camisa de once varas' is perfectly understood and used in more 'correct' or neutral speech. Colombians use it frequently to advise against 'chismes' (gossip). It's a polite but firm way to tell someone to stay out of a situation.
Use it to say 'No'
It's a very polite and idiomatic way to decline a request that sounds like too much trouble. 'Lo siento, pero no quiero meterme en camisa de once varas'.
Don't change the number
Even if the problem is small, it's always 'once' (eleven). Saying 'camisa de dos varas' makes no sense in Spanish.
المعنى
To get involved in a complicated or problematic situation unnecessarily.
Use it to say 'No'
It's a very polite and idiomatic way to decline a request that sounds like too much trouble. 'Lo siento, pero no quiero meterme en camisa de once varas'.
Don't change the number
Even if the problem is small, it's always 'once' (eleven). Saying 'camisa de dos varas' makes no sense in Spanish.
The 'Se' is key
Remember it's reflexive. You are putting *yourself* in the shirt. If you forget the 'me/te/se', the sentence sounds broken.
اختبر نفسك
Completa la frase con las palabras correctas.
No quiero ________ en camisa de ________ varas.
The verb is 'meterse' and the number is 'once'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Juan decides to intervene in a fight between two strangers on the street.
Intervening in a stranger's fight is a classic example of getting into an unnecessary mess.
Match the advice to the situation.
Your friend wants to invest all their money in a cryptocurrency they don't understand.
Investing without knowledge is a risky, unnecessary complication.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Vas a decirle a María que su novio le miente? B: No, yo no...
The speaker is refusing to meddle in someone else's relationship drama.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينNo quiero ________ en camisa de ________ varas.
The verb is 'meterse' and the number is 'once'.
Juan decides to intervene in a fight between two strangers on the street.
Intervening in a stranger's fight is a classic example of getting into an unnecessary mess.
Your friend wants to invest all their money in a cryptocurrency they don't understand.
Investing without knowledge is a risky, unnecessary complication.
A: ¿Vas a decirle a María que su novio le miente? B: No, yo no...
The speaker is refusing to meddle in someone else's relationship drama.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, a 'vara' was an old Spanish unit of length. Eleven varas is about 9 meters.
Yes, if you have a good relationship, but it's better to use it when talking *about* a situation rather than telling your boss 'No te metas...'.
No. 'Meter la pata' is making a mistake. 'Meterse en camisa de once varas' is getting involved in a complex mess.
It likely comes from an old adoption ritual where the child passed through a large sleeve to symbolize birth.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Usually, we omit the 'una'. It's just 'en camisa de once varas'.
No, it's a common idiom. However, telling someone 'No te metas...' can be a bit direct, so use it with friends.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'mantenerse al margen' (to stay on the sidelines) is the logical alternative.
Rarely. It almost always implies the complication is negative or unnecessary.
Yes, the word is fixed. You can't use 'chaqueta' or 'camiseta'.
عبارات ذات صلة
Meterse en berenjenales
synonymTo get into a mess (eggplant patch).
Buscarle tres pies al gato
similarTo look for complications where there are none.
No ser asunto de uno
builds onTo be none of one's business.
Zapatero a tus zapatos
similarShoemaker, to your shoes (Stick to what you know).
