Estar como una regadera

/es·ˈtaɾ ˈko·mo ˈu·na re·ɣa·ˈðe·ɾa/

To be like a watering can.

Frequency

ConversationVery common

JournalismOccasional

LiteraryRare

AcademicVery rare

In English

to be nuts; **to be nuts**; **to be bonkers**; **to be out of one's mind**; **to be crazy**; **to be off one's rocker**

Meaning

Estar como una regadera means to be crazy, to be out of one's mind, to be nuts, to be bonkers, or to be completely mad.

Examples

Estás como una regadera.

You're completely nuts.

Ese hombre está como una regadera.

That man is bonkers.

Hay que estar como una regadera para hacer eso.

You'd have to be out of your mind to do that.

Mi abuelo está un poco como una regadera, pero tiene un gran sentido del humor.

My grandfather's a bit eccentric, but he's got a great sense of humour.

In most situations it is used humorously or affectionately rather than as a serious medical statement.

Used when

behaves in a very eccentric way
says absurd things
makes irrational decisions
does something wildly unexpected
acts in a delightfully crazy manner

Origin

Like many popular sayings, it took hold in casual conversation before settling into a fixed phrase.

One traditional explanation links the expression to old watering cans whose many holes caused water to spray in all directions, suggesting disorder or lack of control.

Whether or not this is historically accurate, modern speakers simply understand regadera as part of a fixed humorous comparison meaning "crazy."

Cultural note

The expression is usually playful.

Among friends or relatives it often refers to harmless eccentricity rather than genuine mental illness.

However, depending on the tone, it can also become insulting if directed aggressively at someone.

Context is therefore important.

Did you know?

Spanish has many humorous expressions for describing eccentric behaviour:

Estar como una regadera → to be bonkers.
Estar como una cabra → to be as mad as a hatter.
Faltarle un tornillo → to have a screw loose.
Irsele la pinza → to lose it.

Among them, estar como una regadera is one of the most affectionate and playful, often used with a smile to describe someone whose behaviour is delightfully unpredictable rather than genuinely disturbing.

For English speakers

Do not translate the expression literally.

English speakers would never say:

He's like a watering can.

Instead, use expressions such as:

He's nuts.
She's bonkers.
He's out of his mind.
She's completely crazy.
He's off his rocker.

Choose the translation according to how humorous or strong the context is.