/meθˈklaɾ ˈtʃuras kon meˈɾinas/ lit. ‘to mix churra sheep with merino sheep’
Spanish idiom, colloquial. To compare or mix up two things that don’t belong together.
Draft Not yet checked by a native Spanish speaker.
How do people use Mezclar churras con merinas
?
Colloquial Spanish from Spain, heard in arguments and opinion columns. It nearly always comes as a warning: “no mezcles churras con merinas” or “no hay que mezclar churras con merinas”. “Confundir” instead of “mezclar” works the same.
Also said mezclar churras y merinas, confundir churras con merinas
Mezclar churras con merinas
in real sentences
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No hay que mezclar churras con merinas.
You shouldn’t mix apples and oranges.
Tatoeba, sentence by ManuelML, CC BY 2.0 FR
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No hay que confundir churras con merinas.
It is important not to confuse apples with oranges.
Tatoeba, sentence by carlosalberto, translation by carlosalberto, CC BY 2.0 FR
Where does Mezclar churras con merinas
come from?
English Wiktionary explains that churras and merinas are both Iberian sheep breeds: the churra has coarse wool and the merino is famous for its fine wool. The usual explanation is that shepherds kept them apart because their wool was worth such different amounts, but no dated source backs that or the phrase’s first use.
Mistakes learners make with Mezclar churras con merinas
Thinking churras are churros. “Churra” is a breed of sheep, so “mezclar churros con merinas” is a funny slip.
Other Spanish idioms like Mezclar churras con merinas
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?
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