Meaning
To be in a difficult or problematic situation, often financially.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'estar en apuros' is very common in news reports about the economy or the 'pueblos vacíos' (empty towns) that are struggling to survive. While 'estar en apuros' is understood, Mexicans often use 'estar en broncas' or 'estar en un aprieto' for more informal, everyday troubles. Argentines might say 'estar en el horno' (to be in the oven) to express a more extreme version of being in trouble. In Colombia, 'estar embalado' is a very common slang alternative to 'estar en apuros', especially when facing a complicated problem.
The Plural Power
Always keep 'apuros' in the plural when you mean 'in trouble'. The singular 'un apuro' is much less common in this idiom.
Estar vs. Tener
Never say 'Tengo apuros' to mean you are in trouble. It sounds like you are in a hurry to multiple places at once!
Meaning
To be in a difficult or problematic situation, often financially.
The Plural Power
Always keep 'apuros' in the plural when you mean 'in trouble'. The singular 'un apuro' is much less common in this idiom.
Estar vs. Tener
Never say 'Tengo apuros' to mean you are in trouble. It sounds like you are in a hurry to multiple places at once!
Social Softener
Use 'No quiero ponerte en apuros...' before asking a difficult favor. It makes you sound more polite and aware of the other person's feelings.
Regional Slang
If you are in Argentina, try 'estar en el horno' for a more local flavor of being in trouble.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Perdí mi {el|m} vuelo y no tengo dinero para otro. Realmente ______ en apuros.
We use 'estar' to describe the state of being in trouble.
Which sentence means 'You are putting me on the spot'?
Select the correct option:
'Poner a alguien en apuros' means to put someone in a difficult spot.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'apuros'.
Situation: You forgot your anniversary and your partner is waiting at a restaurant.
This is a classic 'trouble' situation where you are 'en apuros'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Puedes prestarme 50 euros? B: Lo siento, este mes yo también ______.
The speaker is explaining their own financial difficulty.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Estar vs. Poner
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPerdí mi {el|m} vuelo y no tengo dinero para otro. Realmente ______ en apuros.
We use 'estar' to describe the state of being in trouble.
Select the correct option:
'Poner a alguien en apuros' means to put someone in a difficult spot.
Situation: You forgot your anniversary and your partner is waiting at a restaurant.
This is a classic 'trouble' situation where you are 'en apuros'.
A: ¿Puedes prestarme 50 euros? B: Lo siento, este mes yo también ______.
The speaker is explaining their own financial difficulty.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but it usually implies some level of stress or urgency. For very tiny things, just use 'tengo un problema'.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business email or with a friend.
'Apuros' sounds more like you are pressed by circumstances, while 'lío' sounds like a messy or confusing situation you might have caused.
No, but it is very frequently used for financial trouble. It can also be used for time pressure or social awkwardness.
Use the phrase 'sacar a alguien de apuros'.
Yes, adding 'gran' or 'serios' is common to emphasize the severity.
Yes, it is universally understood across all Spanish-speaking countries.
There isn't a single direct opposite, but 'estar tranquilo' or 'tenerlo todo bajo control' works.
In some countries like Uruguay or Argentina, 'estar apurado' means to be in a hurry, but 'estar en apuros' still means trouble.
Yes, especially if you are describing a challenge you overcame.
It's an idiomatic quirk. It suggests a multitude of small pressures adding up to one big problem.
Only if the health problem is causing a 'predicament' (like missing work), not for the medical condition itself.
Related Phrases
Sacar de apuros
specialized formTo help someone out of a jam.
Estar en un aprieto
synonymTo be in a tight spot.
Pasar apuros
similarTo go through a period of hardship.
Tener prisa
contrastTo be in a hurry.
Estar en un lío
similarTo be in a mess.
