Expressions
What does it mean to have a good hand?
In card games, ‘having a good hand’ means being dealt a good set of cards. In Spanish, the same expression without the indefinite article means having a knack for something, such as cooking, looking after plants or dealing with children.
A good hand of cards
At the card table, your hand is the set of cards you hold. A good hand contains aces, trumps or combinations. But watch out: even a good hand can lose if you play it badly. We explain this in playing your cards right.
Having a knack for something
Here, the hand is your actual hand, the part of your body. Saying someone ‘has a good hand with plants’ means they are good at looking after them. Incidentally, the Spanish expression that literally means ‘having a left hand’ means knowing how to deal with people tactfully.
Other expressions involving a ‘hand’
- Being first to play: taking the first turn; we explain it in what it means to be first to play.
- Lending a hand: helping.
- Having a hand in something: having influence.
If you enjoy these phrases, you will find plenty more in Spanish expressions that originated in card games.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Spanish expression for having a good hand mean the same thing with and without the article?
No: with the article, it refers to the cards you have been dealt; without it, it means being skilful at something.
What does the Spanish expression ‘having a left hand’ mean?
Knowing how to handle situations or people with tact and diplomacy.