Meaning
To repeatedly make mistakes or fail to succeed at anything one attempts.
Cultural Background
In Spain, while 'no atinar una' is understood, you will more frequently hear 'no dar pie con bola.' Both are used in casual settings to express frustration. Mexicans use 'no atinar una' frequently, often with a self-deprecating tone. It's common in family settings when someone is being clumsy. In the Southern Cone, 'no pegar una' is a very strong competitor to 'no atinar una.' It carries a slightly more rhythmic, slangy feel. In Colombia, the phrase is used to describe someone who is 'salado' (salty/unlucky). It's often used in sports or when playing traditional games like Tejo.
Use it for self-deprecation
If you make a mistake in Spanish, say 'Perdón, hoy no atino una.' It makes you sound very native and humble.
Keep it feminine
Never say 'no atino uno.' Even if you are talking about masculine objects, the idiom stays 'una'.
Meaning
To repeatedly make mistakes or fail to succeed at anything one attempts.
Use it for self-deprecation
If you make a mistake in Spanish, say 'Perdón, hoy no atino una.' It makes you sound very native and humble.
Keep it feminine
Never say 'no atino uno.' Even if you are talking about masculine objects, the idiom stays 'una'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Hoy estoy muy distraído, he perdido las llaves y el móvil; de verdad que no _______ una.
The subject is 'yo' (I), so the verb must be conjugated in the first person singular present indicative.
Which situation best fits the use of 'no atinar una'?
Select the appropriate context:
The idiom requires a sequence of failures or a significant 'off' performance.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Juan: '¡Qué desastre! He roto el plato y ahora se me ha caído la leche.' María: 'Tranquilo, Juan. Es que hoy _______.'
The idiom is 'no atinar una'. 'Nada' is incorrect here, and 'uno' is the wrong gender.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesHoy estoy muy distraído, he perdido las llaves y el móvil; de verdad que no _______ una.
The subject is 'yo' (I), so the verb must be conjugated in the first person singular present indicative.
Select the appropriate context:
The idiom requires a sequence of failures or a significant 'off' performance.
Juan: '¡Qué desastre! He roto el plato y ahora se me ha caído la leche.' María: 'Tranquilo, Juan. Es que hoy _______.'
The idiom is 'no atinar una'. 'Nada' is incorrect here, and 'uno' is the wrong gender.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a casual way to express frustration with yourself or a situation.
It's better to avoid it in very formal emails. Use 'he tenido algunos contratiempos' instead.
It implicitly refers to 'una vez' (one time) or 'una jugada' (one play/move).
Related Phrases
No dar pie con bola
synonymTo not get anything right.
Estar negado
similarTo be in a state where nothing works out.
Dar en el clavo
contrastTo hit the nail on the head.
Estar salado
similarTo be jinxed or unlucky.
