Example: Hoy parece que tengo la negra y todo sale mal.
Definition
"Tener la negra" is a Spanish expression used to describe experiencing a streak of bad luck or continuous misfortune. It implies that everything seems to go wrong, often unexpectedly and despite one's efforts, as in the phrase: 'Hoy parece que tengo la negra y todo sale mal.'
Translations
to have terrible luck
ontzettend veel pech hebben
tenir mala sort
avoir la poisse
Pechsträhne haben
Etymology
The phrase "tener la negra" literally means 'to have the black one,' with 'negra' symbolizing bad luck or misfortune, likely deriving from the color black's traditional association with negativity or bad omens. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a common idiomatic expression in Spanish-speaking cultures to describe unlucky situations.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Tener la negra" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C2) - parte 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to have terrible luck