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I know that "como agua para chocolate" means "like water for chocolate". And I am aware that it is a novel (and there is film made after the novel), which has its origin in Mexico.

But, I heard it said in a song now.

Y esto está como agua para chocolate

Now, the group that sang that part is "Gente de Zona", which is a Cuban reggaeton group.

This leaves me with two questions, my main question is "what does it mean?" Not in the sense of, translate it to English, as I know the translation. But what is meant by saying it. And my second question would be, how well known is that saying outside of Mexico? I am aware that the novel became popular in more Spanish-speaking countries, so it doesn't surprise me that people from Cuba know this.

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Succinctly explained in Como agua para chocolate: Un dicho mexicano hecho novela:

"Como agua para chocolate" es un popular dicho mexicano que significa estar molesto o muy furioso. El mismo compara el estado en el cual tiene que estar el agua -hirviendo- para preparar chocolate.

That is, it is a saying to state that someone is extremely furious. It uses the link with the water, that needs to be very warm to be useful for chocolate.

Reading the question Qué significa la expresion "como agua para chocolate"? I also get some other meanings:

  • to be so angry
  • to be "warm" in a luxurious way. That is, to be in a sexual appealing mood.

And also this one that is quite well explained:

Es una expresión y un modismo. Cuando preparas agua para hacer chocolate caliente, debe estar en su punto, de lo contrario el chocolate no hará espuma, osea, debe estar a la perfección y listo. De manera que si estas "como agua para chocolate", implica que estas listo para lo que viene, sea bueno o malo. Tambien suele utilizarse para decir que estas tan enojado que arremeterás en contra de quien sea.

I haven't read the novel myself, but from what I see it may have a double use as per someone who is very impulsive in relationships, both in love and hate.

Regarding its usage throughout Spanish speaking countries, in Spain we do not use it.

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  • I would say it's only used in Mexico, not aware that people in any other country used. Good question. The novel it's a great one, worth to read it!
    – Delonix R.
    Jun 16, 2016 at 16:25
  • @DelonixR. would you say the novel could be understood by someone without a good understanding of Spanish. I have been learning Spanish for about 10 months now, but I use it almost daily. (Mexican in-laws, hence I knew about the novel)?
    – Dylan Meeus
    Jun 16, 2016 at 19:00
  • Hi @DylanMeeus, I would say give it a try. If you enjoy the reading, keep going. If not, you always can close the book at any moment you want (That is one of any reader's right.. , another one that I just remember is that you can skip pages ;) . Just in case, the author is Laura Esquivel.
    – Delonix R.
    Jun 17, 2016 at 14:56
  • I was about to offer some suggestions, but apparently the answer is locked, so no joy here. I suggest: 1. *luxury**/*lujois a well known false friend of *lust**/*lujuria also feeling “warm” is awkward in that context, should be “hot”. 2. Regarding the meaning "just the right conditions" from yahoo answers is doubtful at least. I’d remove the quote (takes half the article on mobile) and mention the probable meaning as doubtful 'till a reference can either confirm or deny it.
    – hlecuanda
    Apr 16, 2017 at 2:22
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    @hlecuanda thanks. Otherwise, you can just post another answer. Since you are the one who knows the subject better (you are the one speaking Spanish from Mexico), you may have enough to make a correct, useful answer.
    – fedorqui
    Apr 16, 2017 at 21:47

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