Bedeutung
To remain inactive or passive in a situation that requires action.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, this phrase is a staple of 'tertulias' (political talk shows). It is used to attack the 'inmovilismo' (lack of movement) of political parties. In Mexican family dynamics, 'quedarse con los brazos cruzados' is often used by mothers to teach children about 'acompletar' (finishing tasks) and helping the family unit. Given Argentina's history of social protest, the phrase is often linked to the idea of 'lucha' (struggle). To stay with arms crossed is seen as a betrayal of social progress. In Colombia, the phrase is often used in the context of 'echar pa'lante' (moving forward). Being idle is the opposite of the entrepreneurial spirit valued in many regions like Antioquia.
Use 'Quedarse' for Impact
While 'estar' works, 'quedarse' sounds much more natural when you are criticizing a specific moment of inaction.
Gender Agreement
Remember: 'cruzados' is ALWAYS masculine plural because it describes 'brazos', not the person.
Bedeutung
To remain inactive or passive in a situation that requires action.
Use 'Quedarse' for Impact
While 'estar' works, 'quedarse' sounds much more natural when you are criticizing a specific moment of inaction.
Gender Agreement
Remember: 'cruzados' is ALWAYS masculine plural because it describes 'brazos', not the person.
Political Context
If you read a Spanish newspaper, you will see this phrase at least once a week. It's the favorite phrase of political journalists.
Teste dich selbst
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo 'quedarse'.
Cuando vio el accidente, Juan no ________ con los brazos cruzados y llamó a emergencias.
We use the past tense (pretérito indefinido) because it refers to a specific completed action in the past.
¿Cuál de estas frases es gramaticalmente correcta?
Selecciona la opción correcta:
'Cruzados' must agree with the masculine plural noun 'brazos'.
Empareja la situación con la respuesta lógica.
Situación: Hay mucha basura en el parque del barrio.
The idiom is used to motivate action against a problem.
Completa el diálogo.
A: ¡Ayúdame con estas cajas! B: Perdona, no quería ________.
The context of helping with boxes makes 'quedarse con los brazos cruzados' the logical choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenCuando vio el accidente, Juan no ________ con los brazos cruzados y llamó a emergencias.
We use the past tense (pretérito indefinido) because it refers to a specific completed action in the past.
Selecciona la opción correcta:
'Cruzados' must agree with the masculine plural noun 'brazos'.
Situación: Hay mucha basura en el parque del barrio.
The idiom is used to motivate action against a problem.
A: ¡Ayúdame con estas cajas! B: Perdona, no quería ________.
The context of helping with boxes makes 'quedarse con los brazos cruzados' the logical choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it usually implies that there is something they *should* be doing. For relaxing, use 'descansando'.
Both are correct and interchangeable. 'Con los' is slightly more common in speech, while 'de' is common in literature.
It can be. If you say it to someone's face, you are accusing them of being lazy or unhelpful.
Yes, specifically in a situation where action is expected or needed.
No, that sounds like a literal translation from another language and is not used in Spanish.
The most common opposite is 'manos a la obra' (hands to the work).
Yes, it is universally understood from Spain to Argentina.
Yes, if you are complaining about a lack of service or response from a company.
No, it stays 'cruzados' because it refers to the masculine noun 'brazos'.
Yes, 'quedarse apalancado' or 'no dar un palo al agua' are more informal ways to say someone isn't working.
Verwandte Redewendungen
No mover un dedo
synonymTo not lift a finger
Cruzarse de brazos
similarTo cross one's arms
Huelga de brazos caídos
specialized formA sit-down strike
Manos a la obra
contrastLet's get to work
