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ostras

interjectionColloquial

A Peninsular Spanish slang term. Browse all Spanish slang.

What it means

  1. Blimey; goodness. A euphemism for hostia, and completely inoffensive as a result.

Literally: Oysters.

Examples with translations

  • ¡Ostras, qué tarde es!

    Goodness, it's late!

  • Ostras, no me había dado cuenta.

    Oh gosh, I hadn't noticed.

Where it comes from

A minced oath built by swapping in a harmless word that starts the same way — the same mechanism as Mexican no manches for no mames, or English 'sugar'.