English Translation
I repeatedly give myself a lot of teasing/criticism.
This wonderfully colloquial Mexican Spanish phrase piece by piece, explaining both its grammar and cultural meaning.
“Luego luego” is a fascinating Mexican reduplication that’s quite different from how “luego” is used in other Spanish-speaking countries. While a single “luego” means “later” or “then,” the doubled form “luego luego” in Mexican Spanish actually means “immediately” or “right away” in some contexts. However, in this particular phrase, it’s being used more like “often” or “repeatedly.” This doubling of words is a common feature in Mexican Spanish that adds emphasis or changes meaning in interesting ways.
“Me doy” is a reflexive verb construction using “dar” (to give). The “me” indicates that the action is being done to oneself. It’s similar to how we might say “I give myself” in English. The reflexive construction is crucial here because it emphasizes that you are both the giver and receiver of the action.
“Mucha” is the feminine form of “much/many” and is used here as an intensifier. It’s agreeing with “carrilla,” which is a feminine noun.
“Carrilla” is pure Mexican slang and is one of those words that doesn’t have a direct translation in English. It refers to the act of teasing, criticizing, or giving someone a hard time. When someone “da carrilla,” they’re ribbing or needling someone, usually in a playful way, though it can also mean more serious criticism. The word “carrilla” itself might have originated from “carrillar” (to grind or wear down), though its exact etymology is debated.
Putting it all together, “Luego luego me doy mucha carrilla” literally translates to something like “I repeatedly give myself a lot of teasing/criticism.” The phrase captures that ongoing, habitual nature of self-criticism, but with a slightly more colloquial and less formal tone than other expressions we discussed.
The construction follows this pattern:
[Temporal expression] + [reflexive pronoun] + [conjugated verb] + [intensifier] + [slang noun]
What makes this phrase particularly Mexican is not just the use of “carrilla” but also the doubling of “luego” and the overall casual, colloquial feeling it carries.
It’s the kind of phrase you might hear in a telenovela or among friends in Mexico City, but probably not in a business meeting or formal presentation.