having trouble

'Tener un lío' is a Spanish phrase that typically translates into English as 'having trouble'. This phrase is often used in Spanish-speaking countries to express a sense of difficulty, complication, or dilemma in a certain situation. It can refer to a personal problem, a messy situation, or a challenging task or issue in the literal or figurative sense. Note that the actual meaning may slightly vary depending on the context.

Example sentences using: tener un lío

Siempre que intentamos hacer planes, terminamos teniendo un lío.

Every time we try to make plans, we end up having a mess.

This phrase highlights how attempts to plan often result in confusion or disarray.

No sé cómo solucionarlo, pero tengo un lío en el trabajo.

I don't know how to fix it, but I have a mess at work.

This indicates that the speaker is facing a chaotic situation at work that they are unsure how to address.

Ella siempre tiene un lío con sus tareas escolares.

She always has a mess with her school assignments.

This suggests that the person often struggles with organization or completion of her homework.