Context
You solve a puzzle your friend has been stuck on for ten minutes.
Elemental, querido.
This one actually translates — it entered Spanish directly from Holmes. Use it freely.
Back to sayings
sayingsSaying 5 of 25
elementary my dear
Playfully smug — said when pointing out something that should have been obvious, with mock Sherlock energy.
Literal translation trap
'Elemental, querido mío' actually exists in Spanish — it's the direct translation and everyone knows it from Sherlock Holmes. It works.
Say it like this
Context
Explaining why of course the restaurant was closed on Monday.
Era de cajón.
'It was in the drawer' — obvious, should have been clear. Stronger than elemental.
Context
Pointing out the obvious flaw in a plan someone spent hours on.
Está clarísimo.
Completely obvious. The -ísimo makes it gently withering.
Context
After deducing where your friend left their phone.
Dos más dos.
'Two plus two' — the Spanish way of saying it's simple maths, completely obvious.
Context
Working out why the plan failed from the start.
Saltaba a la vista.
It was staring you in the face — 'jumped to the eyes.' Vivid and very Spanish.