llover a mares
rain heavily
The Spanish phrase 'llover a mares' literally translates to 'rain a sea' in English. However, it's important to note that literal translations don't always convey the true meaning. 'Llover a mares' is an idiomatic expression in Spanish used to describe when it's raining very heavily. A close English equivalent would be 'raining cats and dogs' or 'raining buckets'. Idioms like this are common in languages and are a colorful way expressions are used to describe certain situations.
Example sentences using: llover a mares
Ayer llovió a mares y no pudimos salir a jugar.
It rained heavily yesterday and we couldn't go out to play.
This sentence expresses a situation where heavy rain prevented outside play.
Si sigue lloviendo a mares tendremos que cancelar el picnic.
If it keeps raining heavily we will have to cancel the picnic.
This sentence suggests that if the heavy rain (described as 'raining seas', a common hyperbolic phrase in Spanish) continues, the picnic will likely be cancelled.
Llovió a mares toda la noche y se inundó el sótano.
It rained heavily all night and the basement flooded.
The phrase describes a scenario where a night of 'raining seas' results in a flooded basement.
Parece que va a llover a mares, mejor lleva el paraguas.
It looks like it's going to rain heavily, better take the umbrella.
This sentence indicates an advice given in anticipation of heavy rain, hence suggesting to take an umbrella.
En invierno aquí suele llover a mares.
It usually rains heavily here in winter.
The phrase generalizes that during winter, the location often experiences heavy rain.
Cuando llueve a mares, se hacen charcos en la calle.
When it rains heavily, puddles form on the street.
This sentence shows a causal relation between heavy rain and the formation of puddles on streets.
Llovía a mares cuando llegué a casa.
It was raining heavily when I got home.
This sentence describes a personal experience where the speaker arrived home amidst heavy rain.
Debe haber llovido a mares, el río está muy crecido.
It must have rained heavily, the river is very high.
This sentence infers heavy rainfall from the observation of a high river.
Si sigue lloviendo a mares, la carretera se inundará.
If it keeps raining heavily, the road will flood.
This statement predicts a possible flood on the road if the heavy rain continues.
Todos los años en esta temporada llueve a mares.
It rains heavily every year in this season.
This phrase describes a regular annual occurrence of heavy rain during a specific season.