Estar como unas castañuelas

to be over the moon; **to be over the moon**; **to be thrilled**; **to be delighted**; **to be on cloud nine**; **to be absolutely delighted**

Estar como unas castañuelas means to be over the moon, to be delighted, to be thrilled, to be extremely happy, or to be bursting with joy.

It expresses intense happiness or excitement.

• receives wonderful news
• achieves an important goal
• is excited about an upcoming event
• feels delighted after a success
• is visibly cheerful

The expression comes from the joyful sound of castañuelas, one of Spain's best-known traditional musical instruments.

Because castanets are strongly associated with celebration, dancing and festive occasions, comparing someone to them naturally came to signify great happiness and excitement.

The expression is always positive.

It often appears when describing visible enthusiasm rather than quiet satisfaction.

Someone who está como unas castañuelas usually smiles, laughs and cannot hide their excitement.

Although traditional in origin, the expression remains widely understood throughout Spain.

Spanish has many idioms expressing intense happiness:

• Estar como unas castañuelas → to be over the moon.
• Estar en una nube → to feel as if one were floating with happiness.
• No caber en sí de gozo → to be beside oneself with joy.
• Dar saltos de alegría → to jump for joy.

Among them, estar como unas castañuelas is one of the most characteristically Spanish, drawing on a traditional instrument that has long symbolised celebration, music and festivity.

Do not translate the expression literally.

English speakers would never say:

She's like a pair of castanets.

Instead, use expressions such as:

• She's over the moon.
• He's thrilled.
• They're delighted.
• She's on cloud nine.

Choose the translation according to the level of enthusiasm expressed.