Spanish speakers: Is this a common idiom?

Question

In the Julieta Venegas song "Limón y sal," there's this lyric:

Yo te quiero con limón y sal
Yo te quiero tal y como estás
No hace falta cambiarte nada...


I'm asking specifically about the "con limón y sal" part. Is this a common thing to say, or is it only part of this song? What would it's English equivalent be? If it is common, can you give me examples of other times you would say "con limón y sal" (outside the context of ordering tequila, that is)?

I love this song and think it's really sweet, so I'd like to say "te quiero con limón y sal" sometime without sounding like I'm quoting from a song.

Gracias a todos.

Answer 1

Hi!
The phrase "Con limón y sal" is a reference made by Julieta Venegas to the way Tequila is taken: you take a glass of Tequila with lemon and salt. Is just common knowledge in Latinamerica and well, Julieta herself has mention this on interviews about her latest CD.
Her choice to used "Limón y sal" as a phrase with an ulterior meaning is purely personal. There is nothing really that this phrase means "officially".
It is a very mexican reference (after all, Julieta is a mexican singer). For my personal point of view, I think it actually means a combination of both "I love as you are" and "I love you with everything there is to you". I mean... it's like saying: I love the way you are supposed to be loved (as Tequila is supposed to be taken with lemon and salt).

Goodluck!

Answer 2

I have been speaking Spanish for quite a few years with people from Spain and almost every Latin American country (including Mexico) but I never heard them use that. I don't think it's an idiom, and if it is, it's not a very common one. I have heard and read "te quiero tal y como eres" quite often. I guess Julieta Venegas made it up. You can eat salad "con limon y sal", or season fish or other food. Maybe she just wanted to say this person is perfect -- just like tequila "con limon y sal", you gotta love it!

Answer 3

It's not a common idiom but it means:
1. I love you the way you are.
2. I love you through thick and thing.
(I'd go for the second)
Note: I like your questions and your interest in mastering (even further?) your excellent command of Spanish. I see that you're going after the best word crafting. Julieta Venegas' lyrics are superb.

Answer 4

Limon Y Sal Lyrics

Answer 5

It is saying in so many words that "I love you just as you are"
The limon means "flavor" and the sal mean "tang" which denote strong personality traits that you would not change in this person. So you could say it exactly in the words of the song without the person hearing it knowing that these were the words to a song.

Answer 6

wei= dude (i think of I definitely have it spelled precise, it is pronunced 'way' dinero or pesos= money 11 pesos = $a million onda= cool "mala onda" ability not cool or some thing/somebody unfavourable me chocas!= equivelant to the teenage North American asserting 'you get on my nerves!' or 'you piss me off!' look i'm not from Mexico, I do talk Spanish yet for the reason that anybody who speaks Spanish isn't from Mexico my Mexican slang is amazingly constrained. I in basic terms pay attention it alot on t.v and from human beings. in fact, i don't even use it. I recommend you get with some people who're Mexico (little ones) and who're biligual and ask them to coach you slang. sorry that i could not help.

Answer 7

I agree with catphotopgrapher. I have never heard that expression, and I live in Miami so I speak and hear Spanish all the time. I have never heard that idiom used in South American. Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Dominican Spanish. But then again, It could be older and out of date, or from Spain or Mexico.....or it's possible I just never heard it used.