Meaning
To be crying uncontrollably and profusely.
Cultural Background
In Spain, you might hear 'Llorar como una Magdalena' more often than 'un mar de lágrimas' in casual conversation, but both are perfectly understood. Mexican culture is famous for its 'telenovelas' where this phrase is a staple. It's often used with high drama and intensity. In Argentina, people might use 'estar re mal' or 'estar destruido/a', but 'un mar de lágrimas' remains the poetic standard for intense crying. Colombians often use 'estar vuelto/a nada' (to be turned into nothing) alongside 'un mar de lágrimas' to describe emotional devastation.
Gender Agreement
Always check who you are talking about. If it's a group of women, use 'hechas'.
Don't overdo it
This is a strong idiom. If you use it for every small thing, it loses its power.
Meaning
To be crying uncontrollably and profusely.
Gender Agreement
Always check who you are talking about. If it's a group of women, use 'hechas'.
Don't overdo it
This is a strong idiom. If you use it for every small thing, it loses its power.
Combine with 'de alegría'
To use this for happy moments, always add 'de alegría' to avoid confusion.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'hecho'.
Mi hermana está ______ un mar de lágrimas.
The subject 'Mi hermana' is feminine singular, so 'hecho' becomes 'hecha'.
Which verb is most commonly used with this idiom?
______ un mar de lágrimas.
We use 'estar' because it describes a temporary emotional state.
In which situation would you use 'estar hecho un mar de lágrimas'?
Select the best context:
The idiom specifically refers to profuse crying, usually from sadness.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué lloras? B: Es que mi gato se perdió y estoy ______.
The standard idiom is 'un mar de lágrimas'.
Match the subject to the correct form of the idiom.
Match them up:
Each subject matches its gender/number counterpart.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesMi hermana está ______ un mar de lágrimas.
The subject 'Mi hermana' is feminine singular, so 'hecho' becomes 'hecha'.
______ un mar de lágrimas.
We use 'estar' because it describes a temporary emotional state.
Select the best context:
The idiom specifically refers to profuse crying, usually from sadness.
A: ¿Por qué lloras? B: Es que mi gato se perdió y estoy ______.
The standard idiom is 'un mar de lágrimas'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each subject matches its gender/number counterpart.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes! 'Estoy hecho un mar de lágrimas' is a very common way to describe your own feelings to a friend.
It is always 'un mar' (a sea). Using 'el mar' would sound non-native.
Not at all. While it has old roots, it is used every day by people of all ages.
People will understand you, but it's not the standard idiom. Stick to 'mar'.
Related Phrases
Llorar a mares
synonymTo cry in seas/buckets.
Estar hecho polvo
similarTo be exhausted or devastated.
Llorar como un niño
similarTo cry like a child.
Un mar de dudas
builds onA sea of doubts.
