Meaning
To be extremely annoyed or tired of something.
Cultural Background
In Spain, people often touch their nose or forehead when saying this to emphasize the 'level' of their frustration. While understood, Mexicans might prefer 'estar hasta el copete' (copete = tuft of hair/forelock) for a similar level of frustration. Argentines might use 'estar podrido' (to be rotten/spoiled) to express that they are completely fed up with something. The use of body parts to measure emotion is a common linguistic trait across the Spanish-speaking world, reflecting a high-context, expressive communication style.
Use with 'Ya'
Adding 'Ya' (Ya estoy hasta las narices) makes you sound much more native and emphasizes that you've reached your limit.
Watch the 'c'
Remember that 'narices' is spelled with a 'c', not an 's', even though it sounds like an 's' in Latin America.
Meaning
To be extremely annoyed or tired of something.
Use with 'Ya'
Adding 'Ya' (Ya estoy hasta las narices) makes you sound much more native and emphasizes that you've reached your limit.
Watch the 'c'
Remember that 'narices' is spelled with a 'c', not an 's', even though it sounds like an 's' in Latin America.
Body Language
Don't be afraid to use your hands! Pointing to your nose while saying this adds 100% more authenticity.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'estar' and the idiom.
Yo ________ ________ ________ ________ de este ruido.
The subject is 'Yo', so we use 'estoy'. The idiom is 'hasta las narices'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the right way to say 'He is fed up with the traffic'.
We need 'estar', plural 'narices', and the preposition 'de'.
Match the situation to the best response.
Your friend has been complaining about the same thing for 3 hours.
Complaining (quejas) fits the context of being fed up with a person's behavior.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Vienes a la fiesta? B: No puedo, tengo mucho trabajo. A: Pero si siempre trabajas... B: Lo sé, y la verdad es que ________.
B is expressing frustration with their work situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo ________ ________ ________ ________ de este ruido.
The subject is 'Yo', so we use 'estoy'. The idiom is 'hasta las narices'.
Choose the right way to say 'He is fed up with the traffic'.
We need 'estar', plural 'narices', and the preposition 'de'.
Your friend has been complaining about the same thing for 3 hours.
Complaining (quejas) fits the context of being fed up with a person's behavior.
A: ¿Vienes a la fiesta? B: No puedo, tengo mucho trabajo. A: Pero si siempre trabajas... B: Lo sé, y la verdad es que ________.
B is expressing frustration with their work situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not vulgar, but it is blunt. Use it with friends, not your boss.
No, it must be plural 'narices' to be the idiom.
'Harto' is the standard word; 'hasta las narices' is the colorful, idiomatic version.
Yes, it's understood everywhere, though some regions have their own favorites.
No, it is strictly for negative frustration.
Use 'Me tienes hasta las narices'.
Yes, 'Estoy cansado de...' or 'Me resulta molesto...'.
It comes from the drowning metaphor where the nose is the last point of breathing.
Absolutely! It's very common in WhatsApp venting.
No, 'narices' is always feminine plural, regardless of who is speaking.
Related Phrases
Estar harto de
synonymTo be fed up with
Estar hasta la coronilla
similarTo be up to the crown of the head
No poder más
similarTo not be able to take anymore
Tocar las narices
relatedTo annoy someone
