Example: Hoy parece que tengo la negra y todo me sale mal.
Definition
"Tener la negra" is a Spanish expression meaning to experience a streak of bad luck or misfortune, where everything seems to go wrong. It is used to describe situations when someone feels unlucky or things consistently do not turn out as expected.
Translations
to be terribly unlucky
een pechreeks hebben
tenir mala sort
avoir la poisse
eine Pechsträhne haben
Etymology
The phrase "tener la negra" literally translates to 'to have the black,' referring metaphorically to darkness or bad luck. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it likely draws on the association of the color black with misfortune or negativity in many cultures. Did you know that in some Spanish-speaking regions, 'la negra' can personify bad luck almost like a character?
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 be terribly unlucky