Bedeutung
To turn down a romantic proposal or advances.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, the phrase is deeply rooted in literature and history. It is often used in 'prensa del corazón' (gossip magazines) to describe celebrity breakups. While understood, Mexicans prefer 'batear'. If you use 'dar calabazas' in a rural area, they might think you are literally giving them vegetables. Argentines use 'rebotar'. It's very common in the 'boliche' (nightclub) culture when someone tries to dance with another and is rejected. The cultural root of the pumpkin as an anti-aphrodisiac is the ultimate source of this idiom, showing how long-lasting food-based metaphors can be.
Use with 'le'
Always remember the 'le'. Even if you say 'le di calabazas a Juan', the 'le' is mandatory for natural-sounding Spanish.
Not for Jobs
Don't use this in a job interview or when talking about business deals. It's strictly for the 'heart' (or exams in Spain).
Bedeutung
To turn down a romantic proposal or advances.
Use with 'le'
Always remember the 'le'. Even if you say 'le di calabazas a Juan', the 'le' is mandatory for natural-sounding Spanish.
Not for Jobs
Don't use this in a job interview or when talking about business deals. It's strictly for the 'heart' (or exams in Spain).
Regional Awareness
If you are in Mexico, try using 'batear' to sound like a local, but 'dar calabazas' will still be understood.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun and form of 'dar calabazas' in the past tense (Pretérito Indefinido).
Ayer, Luis le pidió una cita a Marta, pero ella ______.
We need the 3rd person singular (ella) and the indirect object pronoun 'le' (to him).
Which of these situations is the most appropriate for using 'dar calabazas'?
Select the correct context:
The primary modern use is for romantic rejection.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Juan: '¿Qué tal tu cita con Sofía?' Diego: 'Mal, ni siquiera llegamos a la cena. ______ en cuanto me vio.'
Diego is explaining that *he* was the one rejected by Sofia.
Match the regional variation to the country.
Match: 1. Batear, 2. Rebotar, 3. Dar calabazas
These are the most common regional equivalents.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenAyer, Luis le pidió una cita a Marta, pero ella ______.
We need the 3rd person singular (ella) and the indirect object pronoun 'le' (to him).
Select the correct context:
The primary modern use is for romantic rejection.
Juan: '¿Qué tal tu cita con Sofía?' Diego: 'Mal, ni siquiera llegamos a la cena. ______ en cuanto me vio.'
Diego is explaining that *he* was the one rejected by Sofia.
Match: 1. Batear, 2. Rebotar, 3. Dar calabazas
These are the most common regional equivalents.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenNot necessarily. It's an informal way to describe a rejection, but the act of giving them can be done politely or rudely. The phrase itself is neutral-informal.
Usually, it refers to the *initial* rejection of an advance. For a breakup, 'dejar a alguien' or 'cortar con alguien' is more common.
Because they were historically believed to lower sexual desire, making them the perfect symbol for 'no romance'.
Yes, it is widely understood across the Spanish-speaking world, though regional slang often takes precedence in daily speech.
Absolutely. It is gender-neutral. 'Él le dio calabazas a ella' is perfectly fine.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dar puerta
synonymTo show someone the door / to break up.
Mandar a paseo
similarTo tell someone to get lost.
Quedarse compuesto y sin novia
builds onTo be all dressed up with no one to go with.
Hacer la cobra
specialized formTo pull your head back to avoid a kiss.
