Everyday life / Phrases
Hablando del rey de Roma (, por la puerta asoma)
Speak of the devil! The person you were just talking about has appeared.
Hear it
VoiceListen with our selected voices. Regional labels describe the expression, not the speaker’s accent.
01Said when someone appears just as you mention them.
English gets a devil; Spanish gets a king and a rhyme.
Hear it in everyday life
¡Hablando del rey de Roma! Justo te mencionamos.
Speak of the devil! We just mentioned you.
Mira quién está llamando. ¡Hablando del rey de Roma!
Look who's calling. Speak of the devil!
¡Hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma! Pasa, hay café.
Speak of the devil! Come in, there's coffee.
Make it yours
A friend arrives just as you mention them. Say “Speak of the devil! We just mentioned you.”