Meaning
To speak very negatively or critically about someone or something.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'echar pestes' is often heard in 'tertulias' (informal social gatherings) where people debate politics or sports with high passion. In Mexico, you might hear 'hablar pestes' more frequently than 'echar pestes', but both are perfectly understood. Argentines might use 'echar pestes' but often prefer 'sacar el cuero' (to take the leather off) for badmouthing someone behind their back. In Colombia, 'echar pestes' is common when complaining about public services or 'la rosca' (political corruption/nepotism).
Use with 'no parar de'
To sound more native, use it with 'no parar de' (to not stop). It emphasizes how much the person is complaining.
Plural only!
Never say 'echar peste'. It sounds like you're talking about a bad smell, which might lead to an awkward situation.
Meaning
To speak very negatively or critically about someone or something.
Use with 'no parar de'
To sound more native, use it with 'no parar de' (to not stop). It emphasizes how much the person is complaining.
Plural only!
Never say 'echar peste'. It sounds like you're talking about a bad smell, which might lead to an awkward situation.
Venting is okay
In Spanish culture, 'echar pestes' is a common way to bond over shared frustrations. Don't be afraid to use it with friends!
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo 'echar' y la palabra 'pestes'.
Ayer, mi tía no paró de ________ ________ de los vecinos.
After 'paró de', we need the infinitive form.
¿Cuál es la preposición correcta en esta expresión?
No es bueno echar pestes ____ tus amigos.
The idiom 'echar pestes' is followed by the preposition 'de' to indicate the object of criticism.
Elige la respuesta más natural para el diálogo.
—¿Qué te pareció el nuevo restaurante? —Pues, la verdad es que mi mujer...
'Echó pestes' is the correct plural form and 'del' is the correct contraction.
Relaciona la situación con la frase más adecuada.
Un cliente muy enfadado en un hotel.
'Echar pestes' is perfect for a customer venting about a service.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Echar Pestes vs. Hablar Mal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAyer, mi tía no paró de ________ ________ de los vecinos.
After 'paró de', we need the infinitive form.
No es bueno echar pestes ____ tus amigos.
The idiom 'echar pestes' is followed by the preposition 'de' to indicate the object of criticism.
—¿Qué te pareció el nuevo restaurante? —Pues, la verdad es que mi mujer...
'Echó pestes' is the correct plural form and 'del' is the correct contraction.
Un cliente muy enfadado en un hotel.
'Echar pestes' is perfect for a customer venting about a service.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNo, it's not a swear word. It describes the act of speaking badly, but the phrase itself is clean, though informal.
No, it is exclusively for negative criticism or complaints.
'Criticar' is neutral and can be constructive. 'Echar pestes' is emotional, harsh, and usually one-sided.
Yes, although 'hablar pestes' is slightly more common in some regions like Mexico or Colombia.
Absolutely not. Echar pestes of your previous boss is a major red flag in an interview.
Usually, yes. You can also use 'contra', but 'de' is the standard for 90% of cases.
It's better to say 'de'. 'A' makes it sound like you are shouting at them directly, which is less common for this idiom.
It's much more common in speaking and informal writing (texting, social media).
You could say 'poner por las nubes' (to put through the clouds), which means to praise someone highly.
Yes, it's perfectly safe for all ages, though children usually just say 'hablar mal'.
Yes, both come from the Latin 'pestis' (plague/destruction).
No, for a bad smell use 'echar peste' (singular) or 'oler a pestes'.
It's moderately strong. It shows you are really annoyed, but it's not aggressive like a physical threat.
It's a regular verb: 'eché', 'echaste', 'echó', 'echamos', 'echasteis', 'echaron'.
Related Phrases
Poner verde a alguien
synonymTo criticize someone severely behind their back.
Hablar mal de
similarTo speak ill of someone.
Despellejar a alguien
synonymTo skin someone (figuratively); to rip them apart with words.
Cantar las cuarenta
contrastTo tell someone off to their face.
No dejar títere con cabeza
builds onTo criticize everyone in a group.
