Has anyone ever told you that you are “clavado” or “clavada” to someone? This expression is one of those colloquial phrases that we use a lot in Spain, and it can be quite confusing if you’re learning Spanish.
In this guide, we’re going to explore in depth what “ser clavado/a a alguien” means, when it’s used, and how you can include it in everyday conversations.
By the end of this article, you’ll fully understand the meaning of this expression and be ready to use it confidently.
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Meaning of “ser clavado/a a alguien”
In Spanish from Spain, when we say that someone is “clavado” or “clavada” to another person, we mean that the two people look strikingly alike.
It’s not just a slight resemblance — their appearance is so similar that we might think they’re siblings, relatives, or even the same person.
It’s a colloquial expression used to emphasize that someone looks almost identical to another person.
How and when to use “ser clavado/a a alguien” in everyday conversations
To better understand how this expression is used, it’s important to know in what kinds of situations it appears and how it fits naturally into conversations.
Generally, this phrase comes up in informal settings when we want to point out a strong physical resemblance between two people — for example, in the following situations:
- At family gatherings. It’s common to hear a relative say that a child looks “clavado/a” to their father, mother, or grandparents.
«Mira a Jaime, es clavado a su abuelo cuando era joven.»
(Look at Jaime, he’s the spitting image of his grandfather when he was young.) - Among friends. Sometimes, even friends notice similarities between acquaintances or friends of friends.
«Tu amigo es clavado a un actor famoso, ¿no crees?»
(Your friend looks exactly like a famous actor, don’t you think?) - When looking at photos. Another common situation is when someone shows an old photo and we realize that the person in the picture looks “clavada” to someone in the present.
«¡Eres clavada a tu madre cuando era joven! No hay duda de que sois familia.»
(You look exactly like your mother when she was young! There’s no doubt you’re family.)
Practical examples of “ser clavado/a a alguien” in use
To help you understand even better how to use “ser clavado/a a alguien”, here’s a list of simple, practical sentences. These examples show how you can naturally include this expression in your daily conversations:
- «Tu hijo es clavado a ti cuando eras joven.»
(Your son looks exactly like you when you were young.) - «Ese chico es clavado a un futbolista famoso, ¡casi parecen hermanos!»
(That boy looks just like a famous soccer player — they almost look like brothers!) - «Mi prima es clavada a nuestra abuela en las fotos antiguas.»
(My cousin looks exactly like our grandmother in the old photos.) - «¿No crees que Ana es clavada a su hermana mayor?»
(Don’t you think Ana looks just like her older sister?) - «Marta es clavada a su tía. Siempre se lo decimos en las reuniones familiares.»
(Marta looks exactly like her aunt. We always tell her that at family gatherings.) - «Ese actor es clavado a un amigo mío, ¡hasta el mismo peinado tienen!»
(That actor looks just like a friend of mine — they even have the same hairstyle!) - «Los gemelos de mi vecina son clavados el uno al otro. Es imposible distinguirlos.»
(My neighbor’s twins look exactly alike. It’s impossible to tell them apart.) - «Raúl es clavado a su padre, pero tiene la sonrisa de su madre.»
(Raúl looks just like his father but has his mother’s smile.) - «Cuando vi tu foto de pequeño, pensé que eras clavado a tu hermano menor.»
(When I saw your childhood photo, I thought you looked exactly like your younger brother.) - «Ese bebé es clavado a su madre. ¡Tiene los mismos ojos y la misma expresión!»
(That baby looks exactly like his mother. He has the same eyes and the same expression!)
Is this expression used in all Spanish-speaking countries?
“Ser clavado/a a alguien” is mainly used in Spain. In other Spanish-speaking countries, there are variations such as “ser igualito/a a alguien” (to look just like someone) or “parecerse mucho a alguien” (to look a lot like someone).
It might not be a common expression everywhere, but people will probably understand the meaning if you use it in an informal conversation.
Similar expressions to “ser clavado/a a alguien”
Although “ser clavado/a a alguien” is quite common, there are other ways to express the same idea in Spanish. These expressions are used in different contexts and can add variety to your conversations.
«Ser como dos gotas de agua»
This expression literally means “to be like two drops of water”, and it’s another way to say that two people look extremely similar. The image of two identical drops emphasizes the resemblance.
Example: «Ana y su hermana son como dos gotas de agua.» (Ana and her sister are like two peas in a pod.)
«Ser el vivo retrato de alguien»
When someone is “el vivo retrato” (literally “the living portrait”) of another person, it means they look so much alike that it’s as if one were a living copy of the other.
Example: «Mario es el vivo retrato de su padre.» (Mario is the living image of his father.)
Is there a more formal way to express a strong resemblance?
Indeed! If you’re looking for a less colloquial expression, you can simply say “se parece mucho a alguien” (he/she looks a lot like someone) or “tiene un gran parecido con alguien” (he/she bears a strong resemblance to someone). These are more neutral and formal ways to express the same idea.
In summary, “ser clavado/a a alguien” is one of those expressions that not only helps you describe a strong physical resemblance between people precisely, but also brings you closer to the richness of colloquial Spanish.
Although it’s a simple phrase, using it correctly can help you sound more natural and fit right into informal conversations in Spain.
So, the next time you see someone who looks remarkably like another person, don’t hesitate to say they’re “clavado/a” to them.
With a little practice, this expression will become a useful tool to express yourself in a more expressive and authentic way in Spanish.
