Meaning
Something or someone is unbearable, intolerable.
Cultural Background
In Spain, this phrase is often used during the 'sobremesa' (post-lunch conversation) to complain about politicians or the weather. It's part of a social ritual of sharing grievances. Argentines might use 'aguantar' in a positive sense ('¡Aguante Argentina!'), but the negative 'no hay quien lo aguante' remains a standard way to describe a 'denso' (a thick/annoying person). In Mexico, you might hear 'No hay quien lo soporte' just as often. The phrase is used frequently in 'telenovelas' to describe the villain's arrogance. Colombians might use 'No hay quien se lo aguante' (adding the reflexive 'se') to emphasize that even the person themselves wouldn't be able to stand it.
The 'Mood' Trick
If you want to say someone is *temporarily* unbearable, use 'Está que no hay quien lo aguante'. If they are *always* that way, use 'Es que no hay quien lo aguante'.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget to change 'lo' to 'la' if you are talking about a woman. 'No hay quien LA aguante'.
Meaning
Something or someone is unbearable, intolerable.
The 'Mood' Trick
If you want to say someone is *temporarily* unbearable, use 'Está que no hay quien lo aguante'. If they are *always* that way, use 'Es que no hay quien lo aguante'.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget to change 'lo' to 'la' if you are talking about a woman. 'No hay quien LA aguante'.
Add 'Ya'
Add 'ya' (already/anymore) to show that you've reached your limit: 'Ya no hay quien lo aguante'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
Mi vecino pone la música a tope a las 3 de la mañana. ¡No hay quien lo _______!
The phrase 'No hay quien' requires the subjunctive mood because it refers to a non-existent person.
Fill in the correct object pronoun (lo/la/los/las) based on the context.
Estas moscas son pesadísimas. No hay quien ____ aguante.
'Moscas' is feminine plural, so the pronoun must be 'las'.
Match the situation with the most natural use of the phrase.
Situation: A friend has been talking about their new diet for 4 hours without stopping.
When someone is being tedious or annoying, 'no hay quien lo aguante' is the perfect fit.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: ¿Qué te parece el nuevo jefe? B: Es un tirano. ________________.
A 'tirano' (tyrant) is someone who is unbearable to work for.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMi vecino pone la música a tope a las 3 de la mañana. ¡No hay quien lo _______!
The phrase 'No hay quien' requires the subjunctive mood because it refers to a non-existent person.
Estas moscas son pesadísimas. No hay quien ____ aguante.
'Moscas' is feminine plural, so the pronoun must be 'las'.
Situation: A friend has been talking about their new diet for 4 hours without stopping.
When someone is being tedious or annoying, 'no hay quien lo aguante' is the perfect fit.
A: ¿Qué te parece el nuevo jefe? B: Es un tirano. ________________.
A 'tirano' (tyrant) is someone who is unbearable to work for.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes! You can use it for a computer that is too slow, a car that keeps breaking down, or a pair of shoes that are too tight. Just match the gender (lo/la).
It is quite strong. It's fine for complaining *about* someone to a friend, but saying it *to* someone is a direct insult.
Because of the 'No hay quien' structure. In Spanish, when you say 'There is no one who...', the following verb must be in the subjunctive mood.
They are 99% interchangeable in this context. 'Aguantar' is slightly more common in Spain, while 'soportar' is very common in Latin America.
Yes: 'No hay quien los aguante' (referring to them).
Related Phrases
No hay quien lo soporte
synonymThere is no one who can support/bear him.
Estar hasta las narices
similarTo be up to one's nose (fed up).
Ser un pesado
builds onTo be a 'heavy' (annoying) person.
No poder ver a alguien ni en pintura
specialized formTo not be able to see someone even in a painting.
