Scribd
Upload
78 views

Return To Top of List

This document contains a collection of Spanish proverbs and sayings along with their English translations. Some of the proverbs express that patience and perseverance will lead to success, that it's better to prevent problems than fix them later, and that one should be wary of judging too quickly until having all the facts. Many of the proverbs discuss dealing with adversity through optimism, learning from experience over time, and avoiding risk when already having achieved something.

Uploaded by

Ha Nguyen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
78 views

Return To Top of List

This document contains a collection of Spanish proverbs and sayings along with their English translations. Some of the proverbs express that patience and perseverance will lead to success, that it's better to prevent problems than fix them later, and that one should be wary of judging too quickly until having all the facts. Many of the proverbs discuss dealing with adversity through optimism, learning from experience over time, and avoiding risk when already having achieved something.

Uploaded by

Ha Nguyen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

SPANISH PROVERBS & SPANISH SAYINGS A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.

To one who understands well, few words are sufficient.


Meaning: One who is wise will get the message/take the hint. ("A word to the wise (is sufficient).")

A buen hambre, no hay pan duro. With good hunger, there is no hard bread.
Meaning: Necessity makes us less demanding.

A la tercera va la vencida. With the third goes the defeat.


Meaning: Patience and perseverance pays off. ("Third time lucky.")

A mal tiempo, buena cara. During bad weather, put on a good face.
Meaning: Confront adversity with hope and optimism.

A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda. He who gets up early, God will help.
Meaning: Looking forward and acting in anticipation will help in our endeavors. ("The early bird catches the worm.")

Agua pasada no mueve molino. Past water does not move the mill.
Meaning: What's past is past. It doesn't affect the present.

Agua que no has de beber, djala correr. Water that you shouldn't drink, let it run.
Meaning: For those things that do not directly affect you, let them be.

Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona es y mona se queda. Even if the cute girl dresses in silk, she's still cute and cute she will remain.
Meaning: We can hide appearances but we can't change the truth.

De tal palo, tal astilla. From such a stick, such a splinter.


Meaning: Children take after their parents. ("Like father, like son." / "Like mother, like daughter." / etc.)

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho. From saying to doing, there is a big stretch.
Meaning: Intentions don't always match up to reality.

Dime con quin andas y te dir quin eres. Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.
Meaning: One's company is determined by one's character. Return to top of list

El que avisa no es traidor. He who warns is not a traitor.

Meaning: There's a distinction between a warning and a threat.

El que re ltimo, re mejor. He who laughs last, laughs best.


Meaning: Even if it seems obvious who is at fault, wait until all evidence has been fully investigated and proven conclusive before judging.

En boca cerrada no entran moscas. Into a closed mouth flies will not enter.
Meaning: It pays to assess one's thoughts before making thoughtless comments. ("Think before you speak.")

En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques. On a Tuesday, don't get married nor get on board.
Meaning: Relates to a Spanish superstition that Tuesday is a fateful day. 'Tuesday 13th' is the Spanish equivalent to the English 'Friday 13th'.

La avaricia rompe el saco. Greed breaks the sack.


Meaning: Greed comes to no good.

Ms sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo. The devil knows more because he's old than he does because he's the devil.
Meaning: One knows more due to one's experiences than because of one's knowledge.

Ms vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer. You're better off knowing the bad than the good that you're yet to know.
Meaning: You're better off sticking with what you've got than going out looking for something that could turn out worse.

Ms vale maa que fuerza. Skill is better than strength.


Meaning: Points out the value of ingenuity. ("Brain is better than brawn.")

Ms vale pjaro en mano que cien volando. A bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred in flight.
Meaning: Treasure your achievements and don't risk them.

Ms vale prevenir que curar. You're better off preventing than curing.
Meaning: Prudence is worthwhile. ("Prevention is better than cure.")

Ms vale solo que mal acompaado. You're better off alone than in bad company.
Meaning: Don't keep bad company. Return to top list

Ms vale tarde que nunca. Better late than never.


Meaning: One should value what has been achieved even if it didn't come at the opportune time. ("Better late than never.")

No dejes para maana lo que puedas hacer hoy.

Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.


Meaning: Take advantage of every minute of your life.

No es oro todo lo que reluce. Gold is not all that glitters.


Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving. ("All that glitters is not gold.")

No hay mal que por bien no venga. There is no bad of which good does not come.
Meaning: There's a positive side to everything. ("Every cloud has a silver lining.")

No por mucho madrugar amanece ms temprano. By getting up earlier you won't hasten the dawn.
Meaning: Impatience will not make things happen quicker.

Nunca te acostars sin saber una cosa ms. You will never go to bed without knowing one more thing.
Meaning: We never stop learning.

Ojos que no ven, corazn que no siente. Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel.
Meaning: One doesn't suffer from what one ignores.

Perro ladrador, poco mordedor. Barking dog, not much of a biter.


Meaning: Someone who acts tough and hard-handed but is actually putting on a faade.

Quien mal anda, mal acaba. He who goes about things badly, ends up badly.
Meaning: He who lives a dishonest life will end up paying for it. ("What goes around, comes around.")

Quien tiene boca, se equivoca. He who has a mouth, makes mistakes.


Meaning: Everyone makes mistakes.

Vsteme despacio, que tengo prisa. Dress me slowly because I'm in a hurry.
Meaning: Rushing will likely cause more delays. ("Less haste, more speed.")

Zapatero, a tus zapatos. Cobbler, to your shoes.


Meaning: Keep to what you know best or someone could end up worse for wear.

You might also like