Bedeutung
To be very red, usually from embarrassment or sun exposure.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, the 'guiri' (tourist) stereotype often involves someone being 'como un tomate' due to the strong sun. It's a common sight in coastal cities like Benidorm or Ibiza. While 'estar como un tomate' is understood, Mexicans also use 'ponerse como un camarón' (to turn like a shrimp) specifically for sunburns. In Argentina, 'ponerse colorado' is a very common alternative to 'ponerse como un tomate' for embarrassment. The tomato is a symbol of health and vitality in many Hispanic cultures, but in this idiom, it specifically targets the color, not the health benefits.
Use it for teasing
It's a great way to lightly tease a friend who is blushing. It makes the atmosphere more relaxed.
Don't use 'ser'
Remember: 'Soy un tomate' means you are literally a vegetable. Always use 'estar' or 'ponerse'.
Bedeutung
To be very red, usually from embarrassment or sun exposure.
Use it for teasing
It's a great way to lightly tease a friend who is blushing. It makes the atmosphere more relaxed.
Don't use 'ser'
Remember: 'Soy un tomate' means you are literally a vegetable. Always use 'estar' or 'ponerse'.
Sunburn awareness
In Spain, if someone tells you this, they are often genuinely concerned about your skin health!
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct verb to describe someone who is ALREADY red from the sun.
Mi hermano ______ como un tomate porque no usó crema solar.
We use 'está' (estar) to describe a current state or condition.
Complete the sentence with the correct reflexive verb for 'becoming' red.
Cuando el chico que me gusta me saludó, yo ______ puse como un tomate.
The phrase 'ponerse como un tomate' requires the reflexive pronoun 'me' for the first person (yo).
Match the situation to the most likely reaction.
Situación: Tienes que hablar delante de 100 personas y eres muy tímido.
Shyness in public usually causes blushing, which is described as being 'como un tomate'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué tienes la cara tan roja? B: Es que he corrido 5 kilómetros y ahora ______.
B is describing their current state after exercising.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMi hermano ______ como un tomate porque no usó crema solar.
We use 'está' (estar) to describe a current state or condition.
Cuando el chico que me gusta me saludó, yo ______ puse como un tomate.
The phrase 'ponerse como un tomate' requires the reflexive pronoun 'me' for the first person (yo).
Situación: Tienes que hablar delante de 100 personas y eres muy tímido.
Shyness in public usually causes blushing, which is described as being 'como un tomate'.
A: ¿Por qué tienes la cara tan roja? B: Es que he corrido 5 kilómetros y ahora ______.
B is describing their current state after exercising.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenYes! The phrase is fixed. You say 'Ella está como un tomate'. You don't change it to 'tomata'.
Not usually. It's informal and friendly. However, don't use it in a formal business meeting to describe your boss.
'Estar' is the state (you are red now). 'Ponerse' is the action (you just turned red).
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Spanish-speaking world, though some regions have local alternatives like 'camarón' (shrimp).
Verwandte Redewendungen
ponerse rojo
synonymTo turn red.
ruborizarse
synonymTo blush.
tener vergüenza
builds onTo be ashamed/embarrassed.
estar como una moto
similarTo be very excited or hyper.
