dárselas

Dárselas is a colloquial Spanish verbal construction formed with the verb dar in reflexive form (se) and a pronoun that marks what is being shown or claimed. It expresses that someone presents themselves as having a certain trait, skill, or status, often in a boastful or pretentious way. The expression typically carries a pejorative or humorous nuance depending on tone and context.

Construction and use: The most common pattern is dárselas de + [cualidad o profesión], as in se da de listo (he acts smart) or se da de experto (he pretends to be an expert). In some variants, speakers attach a direct object pronoun for emphasis, such as se las da de [cualidad], though such forms are more regionally colored and can feel informal or jocular. The exact pronouns (las, los, etc.) reflect what is being referred to and may vary by regional usage. An alternative, less marked form is se da de + [adjetivo/nombre], used to describe the pretended trait without an explicit object pronoun.

Nuance and context: Dárselas is typically used in informal conversation and in criticism or humor. It points to ostentation or self-important posturing rather than genuine competence, though in some contexts it can be playful among friends.

Regional variation: The expression is common across Spanish-speaking regions, with differences in how aggressively the boast is framed and which pronouns are preferred. It sits among related phrases such as hacerse el listo, presumir, or "presentarse como" something in a more neutral register.

See also: hacerse el listo; presumir; expresiones idiomáticas con ser/parecer; pronombres clíticos en español.