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Learning a language will never be complete without immersing in the wonderful world of sayings. And in Spanish we have many colorful and revealing.
Sayings are the way of saying a culture of a culture of distilled wisdomTo the next generation, they reflect where a culture was and enable the requesting language learner a deeper appreciation of language.
And the moral and cultural lessons taught, sayings are perfectly structured and are therefore a great way to learnNew vocabularyAndSpanish grammar.
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Spanish sayings you need to know
1.New Year New Life- New year, new me
Literally:New Year New Life
As in English, this Spanish proverb is mainly used in the new year.
"New Year New Life"is a good example of how the different speeches in Spanishmust agree with each other in genderand number.
"New" is used in both male singular form(Nuevo)And the female form(Nueva).
SinceYearIs male, the adjective that it describes is also maleLifeis female, the adjective is female.
2.Every dog has his day- You harvest what you sow
Literally:Every pig has its Saint Martin
November 11th is the festival of St. Martin of Tours - a traditional battle of pigs that takes place in various villages in Spain.
Also known as“The slaughter "(The slaughter), at this time of year it is perfect for healing meat when the first frost arrives. A family killed one to three pigs to store enough food for winter.
It is as to say: "Every turkey has their Thanksgiving."
It is essentially about that bad behavior is punished at some point or "they harvest what they sow" in English.
3.Whoever lives on the sword will die from the sword- What goes around comes around
Literally:Who does it pays for it
Corrupt politicians, conscientious business people, greedy companies, unfaithful partners - these are the types of people they could use for this sentence.
Like the previous expression, it underlines the strong belief in Spanish cultures that are ultimately served justice - through divine intervention or in any other way.
The evil that you do to others will ultimately be her downfall.
4.Good face in bad times- If life gives you lemons, make lemonade out of it
Literally:Too bad weather, good face
The expression talks about the attitude that a person should have in the face of adversity.
It is more than just "pulling in a brave face" or "keeping a stiff upper lip". It is an attitude of hope and optimism because you can always change your attitude, even if you cannot change the environment.
5.More than two see more than two- Two heads are better than one
Literally:Four eyes see more than two
The point of view, perspective or the opinion of another person is of crucial importance if you want a complete understanding of a situation.
Instead of making a decision alone, contact others.
A fresh few eyes can reveal options that you have not previously considered, which leads to an enriched understanding of problems.
6.Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are- You are with which you are surrounded
Literally:Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who you are
You can know a person from the company that keeps you.
If you connect with the wrong amount, you will not only be judged badly by others - but osmosis, but also take up the ways of your friends.
But if you find the right amount, keep it nearby and never let it go.
For example, you do not have to be alone if you learn Spanish. Find partners, tutors, friendly native speakers and a community of like-minded people who, accurately, improve how they live by learning a second language.
7.People of the same kind stick together- People of the same kind stick together
Literally:God breed them and they flock together
People usually combine with others with whom they have things together.
However, this sentence is often said disapprovingly to refer to people who share ANegativeCharacteristic (like a group of Rowdy Boys who were sent to the headmaster's office).
And just as you do not have to end the entire English expression and say "birds of a feather ...", you can also say: "God raises them ... "And the Spaniards would know what they mean.
8.Where there is trust, it is present- familiarity breeds contempt
Literally:Where there is familiarity, it is disgusting
There are many advantages of friendship.
You have a shoulder for crying, a helping hand and a buddy with which you can share good times, but the closeness can also bring disadvantages.
For example, your friend may not make a big deal that you will come to a meeting too late because he knows that you are waiting for you while you would respect the time of a stranger.
9.For you tomorrow for me- scratch my back and I scrape yours
Literally:Today for you, tomorrow for me
This expression is about mutuality and the golden rule, but it is actually more positive than "scratch my back and I will make your scratching".
Instead, the actions come from a feeling of generosity. It is like paying the bill in the restaurant and saying: "Let me get it..“
10.Unhappy in the game, Lucky in Love- bad luck with prosperity, happy with love
Literally:Bad luck in the game, Lucky in Love
Nobody can have anything in life.
If you have found love, it is very grateful and if you have found great prosperity, you are better than others. It is often used to comfort someone who loses (or never finds) love or material.
This proverb could also go in the other direction:Happiness in the game, unhappy in love- Which means being in the game, but unhappy in love.
11.Love is blind- Love is blind
Literally:The love is blind
If you are in love, it is difficult to recognize your partner's shortcomings.
You can use this sentence if you warn your friend that he ignores the red flags of someone because he has a big crush - or a good friend could tell you!
12.Works are love, not good reasons- acts say more than words
Literally:Works are love and not good reasons
Spanish is a passionate language with many words to express love, such as:want(Demand)Presentenchant (Deviate) andAventura loving(Affair).
Maybe someone even said"I love you"or"I love you"(I love you) to you.
But they also heard the saying "Love is a verb" - well, this is the Spanish equivalent. Anyone can say that they all love you what they want, but if their actions do not support their claims, they mean nothing.
13.A lot of noise about nothing- big mouth but nothing behind it
Literally:Lots of noise and few nuts
This saying is used when someone speaks a big game, but has almost nothing to show.
Think of politicians who promise heaven and earth during the election campaign and do nothing after profit..
Think of a conveyed concert that falls flat, or an excited film that does not deliver.
All of these situations justify the expression“A lot of noise about nothing."
14.Not everything that glitters is gold- Not everything that glitters is gold
Literally:It's not gold everything that shines
This proverb encourages us to look deeper and deeper into things - beyond the lightning and brilliance to look into the true substance.
Things are not always what they seem, and attitude of healthy skepticism can give us the ability to make well -founded decisions.
Of course, the opposite is also true, just because something is not glittered does not mean that it is not precious.
Things are not always what they seem to be. This sentence can be positive or negative.
15.Don't look at the tooth on a talented horse- don't look out in your mouth as a gift horse
Literally:A gift horse, don't look at the tooth
Horse(Horse) shows itself in many Spanish sayings because horses were the main transport until the 19ththCentury. The number of horses that someone belonged also symbolized their wealth.
The proverb comes from practice in cattle markets, where buyers look at the mouth of a horse where they are interested because their teeth and molars can reveal their health.
The expression is about gratitude - gifts, while it appreciates the generosity of the area instead of emphasizing the imperfections and defects of the gift.
16.Are Arrieros and on the way we will find each other- What goes around comes around
Literally:Multural drivers we are and on the way we will meet
If someone refuses to give someone else help, it is likely that they will need help but will not be preserved at some point in the future.
I used this expression between work colleagues in a joke tone, but with a slight tension. It is about let the other person know that their lack of help has led to a "comeback" station.
You can hear variations of the wordArrierosPresentThis could be replaced by its tiny replacementArrieritos
17.Better lazy, what is wrong to work- better just to do than do everything wrong
Literally:Better at idle than work badly
It is better to keep around when idling than to work ineffective - or better to do everything wrong.
You can use this expression at work or describe a situation in life in which you do not want to screw up things.
18.What doesn't begin does not end- Place the pedal on the metal
Literally:Which doesn't begin
You have to get in there to do things. The project will never be finished if you don't even start.
This could be used in situations in which you say that "the pedal on the metal" is in English to motivate someone to achieve their share of work.
Or "You miss every shot you don't make."
19.There is no bad job that is bad to have to work- The job is not bad, working is
Literally:There is no bad job; the bad thing is to have to work
In this case, the meaning is fairly simple.
If you are tired and full at work, this is the perfect saying to grin the face of everyone.
It also speaks for the importance of free time in Spanish -speaking culture. I heard that a few times when I traveled through Mexico and it is my personal favorite.
20.I love you to trout like trout- I love you like the female trout, the male trout loves you
Literally:I love you like the female trout makes the male trout
This is a very common expression between lovers that plays with Spanish male and female nouns:Trout(a female trout) andTorcho(a male trout).
This sweet love is used between couples in small, loving moments such as "Eskimo kisses".
It can be employed in men or women and conjures up a smile in the face of another.
Alternatively, it can be used with children. For example, a mother or father could use this saying to put their little child love.
21.The liar is brought to the lame faster- The truth comes out sooner or later
Literally:You catch a liar faster than a stretch
This sentence is the equivalent to "spit it out" or "Sooner or later all lies climb to the surface".
For example, if you suspect that your partner lies your face open, this expression is a call to be honest and to tell you the truth, because sooner or later you will catch it.
You can use this expression if you already know that someone has lied, but pretend that you don't.
22.Be better alone than in bad society- better alone than in bad society
Literally:It is more worth being alone than in bad society
This is a very popular expression and is used just like its English equivalent.
It is mainly used to advise your friends who are interested in someone who is not worthy of their time, or with many red flags, how "it is better to be alone than go out with this type/girl."
Or you can use it to comfort a friend who deals with heartache by saying: "You are better alone/without him or she!"
23.Love without suffering cannot be- There is no love without pain
Literally:It is not possible to love without suffering
This sentence unlock the Telenovela mentality: love is full of drama and suffering, and if not, it is not a real love.
This is not a judgment about the views of the Spanish-speaking world to love, but an observation of how culture can see. It is more or less the equivalent "Love is a B-word".
I know.
After heartache or deception, this saying perfectly describes how you can feel (or be used to comfort a crying friend).
24.Came to bread, bread and wine, came- call things by name
Literally:Name the bread and the wine wine
Although this expression contains food references, it means "speak to me directly" or "give me clear".
This shows the importance of food in Spanish, like many sentences containedFood vocabularyDo you have nothing to do with food at all, but are more general attitudes, commands or opinions.
This sentence is often used by friends in Spain (especially in Madrid).
It is a call for someone to speak directly and truthfully, and could be compared with the English expression "call a spade as a spade".
25.Caught in action- Caught in action
Literally:With your hands in the dough
Here is another expression that uses food but has little to do with it.
Children often use this sentence to advise each other, as they say: "I saw you with my hands in the biscuit glass!" But it can also be used in situations for adults.
For example, if you catch someone who cheats on a test, cheats on a partner or even steal something that is not her, you bet that he has yoursHands in the dough!
26.No envelope for reading after eating- After the meal, there is nothing to do than rest
Literally:After eating, there is not a single envelope to read
It is difficult to translate this expression, but it basically means that there is not much to do after eating than to rest.
This speaks volumes for the importance of calm (or, take siesta), after lunch or lunch in Spanish-language culture.
This saying can be used after a nice hearty lunch (the main meal of the day in Spanish -speaking countries) that you need a siesta to digest. It can also express your satisfaction with the meal and announce the transition to "switch off" for a nap.
27.Make a syne- Eating and stroking
Literally:Make a no-point
In the Spanish -speaking world, it can be insulting and rude.
I once remember an American friend who told me that he used this saying to make a joke with some Spanish -speaking friends after dinner.
In short, nobody laughed and unpleasant grin shot around the table. They thought he was serious because he was ironic.
If you are with close friends, this can be a joke ... but know your amount well.
Where can you find authentic Spanish sayings
Take a look at these resources to meet great Spanish sayings:
- "Neighbors"is a classic sitcom from Mexico, which is full of small sayings that are usually used in Mexico.
- "Hundred years of loneliness"Isa Classic Roman (for advanced learners), which shows South American language and literary expressions.
- "The city and the dogs" IsAnother South American classic that will help fill your Spanish -language sayings.
- Spanish films, blogs, songs and media.Also to get their filling ofSpanish films, Blogs,Television showsAnd everything else you enjoy.
- Fluentu.You can also use an online room platform such as Fluentu, the authentic Spanish videos - such as music videos and film trailers - become language lessons.) see with the interactive subtitles.
To get ahead, take a look at theofficial Cervantes website ofRefanero(Finds the case).
In some sayings in this article to read about their origins, variations or even antonyms in Spanish, since this is a multilingual set of finders, you can look up in 20 foreign languages.
Why should language learning Spanish sayings study
- Spanish sayings are a great way to learn vocabulary.They offer a context for the words they want to learn because they are available in phrases and not individual words that are easy to forget.
- Sayings teach efficient grammar.Spanish sayings are perfect examples of how they can create grammatically correct sentences with maximum effects.
- Spanish sayings have a certain cadence and melodic qualityMerchmal even rhyme.“For you tomorrow for me "For example.
- You will be able to speak more naturallyAnd conjure up a smile in the faces of the native speakers.Get an online tutor about Italki.
So they go - 27 Spanish sayings to enrich their knowledge of the Spanish language and culture.
Try to involve your conversations and you will sound like a native speaker in a very short time.
Download:This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take with you anywhere.Click here to get a copy. (Download)