意味
To be very calm and peaceful, usually referring to the sea.
文化的背景
Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil. The 'balsa de aceite' is a common sight in the massive storage vats in Andalusia. While understood, Argentines might more frequently use 'estar un violín' to describe something working perfectly and smoothly. In Mexico, 'estar como agua de malvas' is a more traditional (though slightly dated) way to describe extreme calm or a person who has become docile. In fishing communities, this phrase is used with a sense of caution; a sea that is too calm can sometimes mean no wind for sailing or a change in weather.
Use it for relief
The best time to use this is right after a period of stress. It shows you are relieved that the 'waves' have stopped.
Avoid 'Ser'
If you say 'Es una balsa de aceite,' people will think you are talking about a literal container of oil.
意味
To be very calm and peaceful, usually referring to the sea.
Use it for relief
The best time to use this is right after a period of stress. It shows you are relieved that the 'waves' have stopped.
Avoid 'Ser'
If you say 'Es una balsa de aceite,' people will think you are talking about a literal container of oil.
The 'Mar' Gender
If you want to sound like a local fisherman, use the feminine: 'La mar está como una balsa de aceite.'
自分をテスト
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Hoy el lago _______ como una balsa de aceite.
We use 'está' because the idiom describes a temporary state of the lake.
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
No hay olas, el mar está como una balsa de _______.
The idiom specifically uses 'aceite' (oil) to represent smoothness.
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to use this idiom?
Which scenario fits 'estar como una balsa de aceite'?
The idiom describes perfect calm and silence.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
Juan: ¿Cómo fue la reunión con los clientes? Maria: Sorprendentemente bien. Todo _______ como una balsa de aceite.
Both 'estuvo' and 'estaba' could work, but 'estuvo' is better for a completed event (the meeting).
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Water vs. Oil in Spanish Idioms
練習問題バンク
4 問題Hoy el lago _______ como una balsa de aceite.
We use 'está' because the idiom describes a temporary state of the lake.
No hay olas, el mar está como una balsa de _______.
The idiom specifically uses 'aceite' (oil) to represent smoothness.
Which scenario fits 'estar como una balsa de aceite'?
The idiom describes perfect calm and silence.
Juan: ¿Cómo fue la reunión con los clientes? Maria: Sorprendentemente bien. Todo _______ como una balsa de aceite.
Both 'estuvo' and 'estaba' could work, but 'estuvo' is better for a completed event (the meeting).
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よくある質問
10 問Not directly for their personality. You can say 'Él está como una balsa de aceite' to mean he is very calm *right now*, but it's more common for environments.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your grandmother.
Technically yes, but in this idiom, it refers to the 'pool' or 'surface' of the liquid in a container.
Yes, it is universally understood, though most common in Spain due to the olive oil culture.
No, that would just mean a literal pond or puddle. It loses the idiomatic meaning of 'perfect calm.'
You could say 'Hay mucha marejada' (metaphorically) or 'Es un caos.'
Oil is more viscous and historically more relevant to Mediterranean life than large sheets of glass.
Yes! 'Mañana el mar estará como una balsa de aceite.'
Very. It's in the top 500 most useful idioms for learners.
The word 'aceite' usually implies olive oil in Spain, but the idiom works with the general word for oil.
関連フレーズ
Estar el mar como un plato
synonymThe sea is like a plate.
Ser un remanso de paz
similarTo be a haven of peace.
Haber una calma chicha
specialized formAbsolute dead calm at sea with no wind.
Estar como un flan
contrastTo be very nervous (shaking like a flan).
