buey viejo surco derecho

Literally, “an old ox, a straight furrow (it makes)”.

lit

a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners


buena fama hurto encubre

Literally, “good reputation covers over a theft”.

get away with murder
get away with murder

You can get away with murder if you've built up a reputation of being honest


la noche es capa de pecadores

[la ˌno.t͡ʃe ˌes ˌka.pa ð̞e pe.kaˈð̞o.ɾes]

Literally, “the night is a cloak for sinners”.


por la boca muere el pez

Literally, “fish die through their mouths”.

loose lips sink ships
loose lips sink ships

what you say can do you harm; silence is golden; loose lips sink ships; keep mum


bien predica quien bien vive

he who preaches well is he who lives well


a todo cerdo le llega su San Martín

/a ˌtodo ˌθeɾdo le ˌʝeɡa su ˌsam maɾˈtin/

[a ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌθeɾ.ð̞o le ˌʝe.ɣ̞a su ˌsãm maɾˈt̪ĩn]

/a ˌtodo ˌθeɾdo le ˌʎeɡa su ˌsam maɾˈtin/

[a ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌθeɾ.ð̞o le ˌʎe.ɣ̞a su ˌsãm maɾˈt̪ĩn]

/a ˌtodo ˌseɾdo le ˌʝeɡa su ˌsam maɾˈtin/

[a ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌseɾ.ð̞o le ˌʝe.ɣ̞a su ˌsãm maɾˈt̪ĩn]

/a ˌtodo ˌseɾdo le ˌʎeɡa su ˌsam maɾˈtin/

[a ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌseɾ.ð̞o le ˌʎe.ɣ̞a su ˌsãm maɾˈt̪ĩn]

/a ˌtodo ˌseɾdo le ˌʃeɡa su ˌsam maɾˈtin/

[a ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌseɾ.ð̞o le ˌʃe.ɣ̞a su ˌsãm maɾˈt̪ĩn]

/a ˌtodo ˌseɾdo le ˌʒeɡa su ˌsam maɾˈtin/

[a ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌseɾ.ð̞o le ˌʒe.ɣ̞a su ˌsãm maɾˈt̪ĩn]

Literally, “every pig will get its St. Martin”. It refers to the custom of slaughtering livestock for the winter on or near St. Martin's Day. Compare Galician a todo porquiño lle chega o seu San Martiño


el hábito no hace al monje

Literally, “the (religious) attire does not make the monk”. "Habit" is also an archaic English term for attire.

lit

you can't judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

clothes don't make the man
clothes don't make the man


la curiosidad mató al gato

curiosity killed the cat
curiosity killed the cat


el algodón no engaña

Literally, “the cotton does not deceive”.

the proof of the pudding is in the eating


perro que no camina, no encuentra hueso

head

el perro que no camina, no encuentra hueso

Literally, “the dog who does not walk does not find a bone”.

lit

practice makes perfect
practice makes perfect


head

dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres

Literally, “tell me with whom you go about, and I'll tell you who you are". andar can also mean "to walk", so another possible translation is "tell me with whom you walk, and I'll tell you who you are”.

m-g

tell me with whom you go about, and I'll tell you who you are". <i class="Latn mention" lang="es">andar</i> can also mean "to walk", so another possible translation is "tell me with whom you walk, and I'll tell you who you are

lit

a man is known by the company he keeps
a man is known by the company he keeps


lo que no mata, engorda

Literally, “that which does not kill, fattens”. A translation of a Friedrich Nietzsche quotation.

what doesn't kill you makes you stronger


cuando llueve, diluvia

when it rains, it pours
when it rains, it pours


Roma no se hizo en un día

Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day


no se ganó Zamora en una hora

Literally, “Zamora wasn't won in an hour”. In reference to Sancho II who unsuccessfully tried to conquer this Spanish city in 1072 during seven months.

(idiomatic) Rome wasn't built in a day (it takes a long time to do something complicated or impressive)


del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho

/del ˌdit͡ʃo al ˌet͡ʃo ˌai ˌmut͡ʃo ˈtɾet͡ʃo/

[d̪el̪ ˌd̪i.t͡ʃo al ˌe.t͡ʃo ˌai̯ ˌmu.t͡ʃo ˈt̪ɾe.t͡ʃo]

Literally, “from the said to the done there is a long distance”.

lit

easier said than done
easier said than done


gato escaldado del agua fría huye

[ˌɡa.t̪o es.kal̪ˌd̪a.ð̞o ð̞el ˌa.ɣ̞wa ˌfɾi.a ˈu.ʝe]

[ˌɡa.t̪o es.kal̪ˌd̪a.ð̞o ð̞el ˌa.ɣ̞wa ˌfɾi.a ˈu.ʃe]

[ˌɡa.t̪o es.kal̪ˌd̪a.ð̞o ð̞el ˌa.ɣ̞wa ˌfɾi.a ˈu.ʒe]

Literally, “a scalded cat runs away from cold water”

lit

once bitten, twice shy
once bitten, twice shy


head

más vale pájaro en mano que ver ciento volando

Literally, “it is worth more to have a bird in hand than to see one hundred flying”.

lit

más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando#Spanish

Alternative form of más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando


allá donde fueres, haz lo que vieres

/aˌʝa ˌdonde ˌfweɾes | ˌaθ lo ke ˈbjeɾes/

[aˌʝa ˌð̞õn̪.d̪e ˌfwe.ɾes | ˌaθ lo ke ˈβ̞je.ɾes]

/aˌʎa ˌdonde ˌfweɾes | ˌaθ lo ke ˈbjeɾes/

[aˌʎa ˌð̞õn̪.d̪e ˌfwe.ɾes | ˌaθ lo ke ˈβ̞je.ɾes]

/aˌʝa ˌdonde ˌfweɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈbjeɾes/

[aˌʝa ˌð̞õn̪.d̪e ˌfwe.ɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈβ̞je.ɾes]

/aˌʎa ˌdonde ˌfweɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈbjeɾes/

[aˌʎa ˌð̞õn̪.d̪e ˌfwe.ɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈβ̞je.ɾes]

/aˌʃa ˌdonde ˌfweɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈbjeɾes/

[aˌʃa ˌð̞õn̪.d̪e ˌfwe.ɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈβ̞je.ɾes]

/aˌʒa ˌdonde ˌfweɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈbjeɾes/

[aˌʒa ˌð̞õn̪.d̪e ˌfwe.ɾes | ˌas lo ke ˈβ̞je.ɾes]

Literally, "When you go there, do what you see"

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do


quien quiera peces, que moje el culo

/ˌkjen ˌkjeɾa ˌpeθes | ke ˌmoxe el ˈkulo/

[ˌkjẽŋ ˌkje.ɾa ˌpe.θes | ke ˌmo.xe el ˈku.lo]

/ˌkjen ˌkjeɾa ˌpeses | ke ˌmoxe el ˈkulo/

[ˌkjẽŋ ˌkje.ɾa ˌpe.ses | ke ˌmo.xe el ˈku.lo]

Literally, “one who wants fish must get his ass wet”.

lit

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs; one must sometimes deal with unpleasant circumstances in order to achieve a goal


dame pan y llámame tonto

rural northern Spain, Andes Mountains, Philippines

Literally, “give me bread and call me stupid”.

it doesn't matter what you say, so long as you feed me; call me what you like, just don't call me late for dinner


a Dios rogando y con el mazo dando

/a ˌdjos roˌɡando i kon el ˌmaθo ˈdando/

[a ˌð̞joz roˌɣ̞ãn̪.d̪o i kõn el ˌma.θo ˈð̞ãn̪.d̪o]

/a ˌdjos roˌɡando i kon el ˌmaso ˈdando/

[a ˌð̞joz roˌɣ̞ãn̪.d̪o i kõn el ˌma.so ˈð̞ãn̪.d̪o]

Literally, “strike with your rod while you beg to God”.

lit

God helps those who help themselves
God helps those who help themselves


no te acostarás sin saber una cosa más

/ˌno te akostaˌɾas ˌsin saˌbeɾ ˌuna ˌkosa ˈmas/

[ˌno t̪e a.kos.t̪aˌɾas ˌsĩn saˌβ̞eɾ ˌu.na ˌko.sa ˈmas]

Literally, “you won't go to bed without knowing one more thing”.

lit

you learn something new every day
you learn something new every day

every day is a school day
every day is a school day

you learn something new every day, every day is a school day


donde tengas la olla no metas la polla

/ˌdonde ˌtenɡas la ˌoʝa ˌno ˌmetas la ˈpoʝa/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌt̪ẽŋ.ɡas la ˌo.ʝa ˌno ˌme.t̪as la ˈpo.ʝa]

/ˌdonde ˌtenɡas la ˌoʎa ˌno ˌmetas la ˈpoʎa/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌt̪ẽŋ.ɡas la ˌo.ʎa ˌno ˌme.t̪as la ˈpo.ʎa]

/ˌdonde ˌtenɡas la ˌoʃa ˌno ˌmetas la ˈpoʃa/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌt̪ẽŋ.ɡas la ˌo.ʃa ˌno ˌme.t̪as la ˈpo.ʃa]

/ˌdonde ˌtenɡas la ˌoʒa ˌno ˌmetas la ˈpoʒa/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌt̪ẽŋ.ɡas la ˌo.ʒa ˌno ˌme.t̪as la ˈpo.ʒa]

Literally, “where you have the pot, don't put your cock”.

lit

don't get your meat where you get your bread


un día más un día menos

Literally, “one more day, one fewer day”.

another day, another dollar
another day, another dollar


ante la duda, la más tetuda

[ˌãn̪.t̪e la ˌð̞u.ð̞a | la ˌmas t̪eˈt̪u.ð̞a]

Literally, “if in doubt, the most busty”.

if in doubt, choose the option that seems most profitable; if unsure pick the obvious option


agua que no has de beber, déjala correr

Literally, “water you don't have to drink, let it flow”.

lit

mind your own business
mind your own business

mind your own beeswax
mind your own beeswax

don't enter your nose into the affairs of others, mind your own business, mind your own beeswax


head

más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo

Literally, “the Devil knows more from old age than from being the Devil”.

lit

(idiomatic) wisdom comes with age; you can't put an old head on young shoulders


del árbol caído todos hacen leña

Literally, “from the fallen tree everyone makes firewood”.

lit

kicks you when you're down
kick someone when they are down


un día es un día

what the heck; you only live once (said when making an exception to indulge in something)


head

no por mucho madrugar, amanece más temprano

Loosely translated, "getting up earlier won't make the sun rise sooner".

things will happen at their own time, you can't rush art


quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar

/ˌkjem ˌbjen te ˌkjeɾe | te aˌɾa ʝoˈɾaɾ/

[ˌkjẽm ˌbjẽn̪ t̪e ˌkje.ɾe | t̪e aˌɾa ʝoˈɾaɾ]

/ˌkjem ˌbjen te ˌkjeɾe | te aˌɾa ʎoˈɾaɾ/

[ˌkjẽm ˌbjẽn̪ t̪e ˌkje.ɾe | t̪e aˌɾa ʎoˈɾaɾ]

/ˌkjem ˌbjen te ˌkjeɾe | te aˌɾa ʃoˈɾaɾ/

[ˌkjẽm ˌbjẽn̪ t̪e ˌkje.ɾe | t̪e aˌɾa ʃoˈɾaɾ]

/ˌkjem ˌbjen te ˌkjeɾe | te aˌɾa ʒoˈɾaɾ/

[ˌkjẽm ˌbjẽn̪ t̪e ˌkje.ɾe | t̪e aˌɾa ʒoˈɾaɾ]

Literally, “[he/she] who loves you well, will make you cry". In spirit, "you've got to be cruel to be kind”.

m-g

􂀿he/she􂁀 who loves you well, will make you cry". In spirit, "you've got to be cruel to be kind

lit

spare the rod and spoil the child
spare the rod and spoil the child


head

no vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo

Literally, “don't sell the bear's fur before hunting it”.

lit

(idiomatic) don't count your chickens before they're hatched

más vale pájaro en mano, que ciento volando


antes se coge al mentiroso que al cojo

Literally, “a liar is caught before a lame man”.


en la cancha se ven los pingos

Literally, “(only) on the track the horses are seen (as they really are)”. The phrase comes from horse racing.

lit

the proof of the pudding is in the eating


head

más vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer

/ˌmas ˌbale ˌmalo konoˌθido ke ˌbweno poɾ konoˈθeɾ/

[ˌmaz ˌβ̞a.le ˌma.lo ko.noˌθi.ð̞o ke ˌβ̞we.no poɾ ko.noˈθeɾ]

/ˌmas ˌbale ˌmalo konoˌsido ke ˌbweno poɾ konoˈseɾ/

[ˌmaz ˌβ̞a.le ˌma.lo ko.noˌsi.ð̞o ke ˌβ̞we.no poɾ ko.noˈseɾ]

better the devil you know
better the devil you know


cuatro ojos ven más que dos

Literally, “four eyes see more than two”.

lit

two heads are better than one
two heads are better than one

(idiomatic) two heads are better than one


hombre prevenido vale por dos

[ˌõm.bɾe pɾe.β̞eˌni.ð̞o ˌβ̞a.le poɾ ˈð̞os]

forewarned is forearmed
forewarned is forearmed


el que va a Sevilla pierde su silla

[el ke ˌβ̞a a seˌβ̞i.ʝa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʝa]

[el ke ˌβ̞a a seˌβ̞i.ʎa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʎa]

[el ke ˌβ̞a a seˌβ̞i.ʃa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʃa]

[el ke ˌβ̞a a seˌβ̞i.ʒa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʒa]

quien va a Sevilla pierde su silla#Spanish

Alternative form of quien va a Sevilla pierde su silla


quien va a Sevilla pierde su silla

[ˌkjẽm ˌba a seˌβ̞i.ʝa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʝa]

[ˌkjẽm ˌba a seˌβ̞i.ʎa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʎa]

[ˌkjẽm ˌba a seˌβ̞i.ʃa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʃa]

[ˌkjẽm ˌba a seˌβ̞i.ʒa ˌpjeɾ.ð̞e su ˈsi.ʒa]

Literally, “who goes to Seville loses their seat”, the name of the city being chosen so as to have a rhyme. Compare Italian chi va a Roma perde la poltrona.

move your feet, lose your seat
move your feet, lose your seat

move your feet, lose your seat (if you stand up from your seat, someone else will take it.)


el que fue a Melipilla perdió su silla

/el ke ˌfwe a meliˌpiʝa peɾˌdjo su ˈsiʝa/

[el ke ˌfwe a me.liˌpi.ʝa peɾˌð̞jo su ˈsi.ʝa]

/el ke ˌfwe a meliˌpiʎa peɾˌdjo su ˈsiʎa/

[el ke ˌfwe a me.liˌpi.ʎa peɾˌð̞jo su ˈsi.ʎa]

/el ke ˌfwe a meliˌpiʃa peɾˌdjo su ˈsiʃa/

[el ke ˌfwe a me.liˌpi.ʃa peɾˌð̞jo su ˈsi.ʃa]

/el ke ˌfwe a meliˌpiʒa peɾˌdjo su ˈsiʒa/

[el ke ˌfwe a me.liˌpi.ʒa peɾˌð̞jo su ˈsi.ʒa]

Literally, “he who went to Melipilla lost his seat”.

lit

(Chile) Alternative form of quien va a Sevilla pierde su silla


quien calla, otorga

Literally, “(he) who quiets down, grants”.

silence gives consent
silence gives consent


quien a hierro mata, a hierro muere

Literally, “he who kills by iron, dies by iron”.

live by the sword, die by the sword
live by the sword, die by the sword


head

quien a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija

Literally, “(he) who comes close to a good tree, good shade shelters him”.

lit

it's not what you know but who you know
it's not what you know but who you know


quien algo quiere, algo le cuesta

Literally, “he who loves something, finds it difficult”.


quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta

/ˌkjem ˌmut͡ʃo aˌbaɾka | ˌpoko aˈpɾjeta/

[ˌkjẽm ˌmu.t͡ʃo aˌβ̞aɾ.ka | ˌpo.ko aˈpɾje.t̪a]

Literally, “he who embraces a lot, clasps little”. From Aesop's fable The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs. Compare French qui trop embrasse mal étreint and Italian chi troppo vuole nulla stringe.

Aesop
The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs


quien tiene boca, se equivoca

[ˌkjẽn̪ ˌt̪je.ne ˌβ̞o.ka | se e.kiˈβ̞o.ka]

Literally, “he who has mouth, is wrong”, playing on the internal rhyme boca (“mouth”)/equivoca (“he/she mistakes”).

when speaking, it is normal to say something wrong; everything one says cannot always be right or true


quien no llora, no mama

Literally, “he who doesn't weep, doesn't breastfeed”.

lit

the squeaky wheel gets the grease
the squeaky wheel gets the grease


donde fueres haz lo que vieres

allá donde fueres, haz lo que vieres#Spanish

Alternative form of allá donde fueres, haz lo que vieres


head

en el reino de los ciegos, el tuerto es el rey

in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

en el mundo de los ciegos, el tuerto es rey

en el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es el rey


quien parte y reparte se lleva la mejor parte

/ˌkjem ˌpaɾte i reˌpaɾte se ˌʝeba la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾte/

[ˌkjẽm ˌpaɾ.t̪e i reˌpaɾ.t̪e se ˌʝe.β̞a la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾ.t̪e]

/ˌkjem ˌpaɾte i reˌpaɾte se ˌʎeba la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾte/

[ˌkjẽm ˌpaɾ.t̪e i reˌpaɾ.t̪e se ˌʎe.β̞a la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾ.t̪e]

/ˌkjem ˌpaɾte i reˌpaɾte se ˌʃeba la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾte/

[ˌkjẽm ˌpaɾ.t̪e i reˌpaɾ.t̪e se ˌʃe.β̞a la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾ.t̪e]

/ˌkjem ˌpaɾte i reˌpaɾte se ˌʒeba la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾte/

[ˌkjẽm ˌpaɾ.t̪e i reˌpaɾ.t̪e se ˌʒe.β̞a la meˌxoɾ ˈpaɾ.t̪e]

Literally, “he who divides and distributes takes the best part”.

lit

if you share out, you get the lion's share for yourself


en casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo

Literally, “in the blacksmith's house, wooden knife”. Compare Portuguese em casa de ferreiro, o espeto é de pau.

cog

the shoemaker's children go barefoot
the shoemaker's children go barefoot

the shoemaker's children go barefoot (indicates that certain things or attitudes are missing precisely where they would be appropriate or expected)


head

aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda

/ˌaunke la ˌmona se ˌbista de ˌseda | ˌmona se ˈkeda/

[ˌãũŋ.ke la ˌmo.na se ˌβ̞is.t̪a ð̞e ˌse.ð̞a | ˌmo.na se ˈke.ð̞a]

Literally, “although the she-monkey may be dressed in silk, she remains a monkey”.

lit

you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear


la cabeza blanca y el seso por venir

Literally, “the grey head and the brains forthcoming”.

lit

there's no fool like an old fool
there's no fool like an old fool


perro ladrador, poco mordedor

Literally, “barking dog, not very biting”.

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite

dime de qué presumes y te diré de qué careces


head

a caballo regalado no le mires el diente

don't look a gift horse in the mouth
don't look a gift horse in the mouth

don't look a gift horse in the mouth (a phrase referring to unappreciatively questioning a gift or handout too closely)


ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente

Literally, “eyes which do not see, heart which does not feel”.

lit

out of sight, out of mind
out of sight, out of mind


piensa mal y acertarás

Literally, “think badly [of someone] and you will be right”.

m-g

think badly 􂀿of someone􂁀 and you will be right

lit

espera lo mejor y prepárate para lo peor


donde hubo fuego, cenizas quedan

where there was fire, ashes remain
where there was fire, ashes remain


tiran más dos tetas que dos carretas

/tiˌɾam ˌmas ˌdos ˌtetas ke ˌdos kaˈretas/

[t̪iˌɾãm ˌmaz ˌð̞os ˌt̪e.t̪as ke ˌð̞os kaˈre.t̪as]

Literally, “two tits [breasts] pull more than two wagons”.

m-g

two tits 􂀿breasts􂁀 pull more than two wagons

lit

having breasts (i.e. being a woman) can get things done much quicker than by other means

one hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen


head

se coge antes al mentiroso que a un cojo

antes se coge al mentiroso que a un cojo#Spanish

Alternative form of antes se coge al mentiroso que a un cojo


antes se pilla al mentiroso que a un cojo


se pilla antes al mentiroso que a un cojo


antes se coge al mentiroso que a un cojo

Literally, “the liar is caught before a lame man is”.


head

cuando el gato no está los ratones están de fiesta

/ˌkwando el ˌɡato ˌno esˌta los raˌtones esˌtan de ˈfjesta/

[ˌkwãn̪.d̪o el ˌɣ̞a.t̪o ˌno esˌt̪a loz raˌt̪o.nes esˌt̪ãn̪ d̪e ˈfjes.t̪a]

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan

cuando el gato no está, los ratones hacen fiesta


ahora que hay modo

make hay while the sun shines
make hay while the sun shines

strike while the iron is hot
strike while the iron is hot

make hay while the sun shines, strike while the iron is hot (act while an opportunity exists)


un clavo saca otro clavo

Literally, “one nail drives out another nail”.

lit

one nail drives out another
one nail drives out another


donde no hay harina todo es mohína

/ˌdonde ˌno ˌai aˌɾina ˌtodo ˌes moˈina/

[ˌd̪õn̪.d̪e ˌno ˌai̯ aˌɾi.na ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌez moˈi.na]

poverty breeds discontent
poverty breeds discontent

when there is no flour, all is gloomy; poverty breeds discontent


a palabras necias, oídos sordos

Literally, “to foolish words, deaf ears”.


de tal palo, tal astilla

Literally, “from such a stick, such a splinter”.

chip off the old block
chip off the old block


head

si entre burros te ves, rebuzna alguna vez

Literally, “If you find yourself amongst donkeys, bray a few times”

lit

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do


entre gitanos no nos leemos las cartas

Literally, “among gypsies we don't read the cards”.

used to indicate that one who knows well somebody's tricks and cannot be fooled easily


hecha la ley, hecha la trampa

Literally, “the law [is] made, the trap [is] made”.

every law has its loophole
every law has its loophole

every law has a loophole
every law has a loophole

every law has its loophole, every law has a loophole


head

quien roba a un ladrón, tiene cien años de perdón

/ˌkjen ˌroba a un laˌdɾon | ˌtjene ˌθjen ˌaɲos de peɾˈdon/

[ˌkjẽn ˌro.β̞a a ũn laˌð̞ɾõn | ˌt̪je.ne ˌθjẽn ˌa.ɲoz ð̞e peɾˈð̞õn]

/ˌkjen ˌroba a un laˌdɾon | ˌtjene ˌsjen ˌaɲos de peɾˈdon/

[ˌkjẽn ˌro.β̞a a ũn laˌð̞ɾõn | ˌt̪je.ne ˌsjẽn ˌa.ɲoz ð̞e peɾˈð̞õn]

Literally, “[he] who robs a thief, has a hundred years of forgiveness”.

m-g

􂀿he􂁀 who robs a thief, has a hundred years of forgiveness

lit

it's justifiable to commit crimes against criminals


pan para hoy, hambre para mañana

Literally, “bread for today, hunger for tomorrow”.

there is a short-term benefit, but in the long run it isn't beneficial; short-term gain, long-term pain


en la variedad está el gusto

variety is the spice of life
variety is the spice of life


la esperanza es la última que muere

Literally, “hope is the last one to die”. Cognate with Italian la speranza è l'ultima a morire, Portuguese a esperança é a última que morre, Romanian speranța moare ultima among the Romance languages. See more at the English entry.

cog

hope springs eternal
hope springs eternal

one should never lose hope; hope springs eternal


la paciencia es una virtud

patience is a virtue
patience is a virtue


la suerte favorece a los audaces

fortune favors the bold
fortune favors the bold

fortune favors the bold (luck favors the adventurous)


la belleza está en los ojos de quien ve

beauty is in the eye of the beholder
beauty is in the eye of the beholder

beauty is in the eye of the beholder (individuals have different inclinations on what is beautiful)


de noche todos los gatos son pardos

Literally, “at night, all cats are brown”.

lit

all cats are grey in the dark
all cats are grey in the dark

all cats are gray in the dark
all cats are gray in the dark

all cats are grey in the dark, all cats are gray in the dark


Dios los cría y ellos se juntan

Literally, “God brings them up and they get together”.

lit

birds of a feather flock together
birds of a feather flock together

(usually derogatory) birds of a feather flock together


head

le dijo la sartén al cazo: ¡aparta que me tiznas!

Literally, “the pan said to the pot: move away, you're blackening me!”.

lit

le dijo la sartén al cazo ¡aparta que me tiznas!

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black


no hay mal que por bien no venga

Literally, “there is no bad that does not bring some good”

lit

every cloud has a silver lining
every cloud has a silver lining

blessing in disguise
blessing in disguise


head

Literally, “if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be an old bycicle”.

lit

"Habríamos ganado el partido si hubiéramos tenido un portero decente" — "Y si mi abuela tuviera ruedas, sería una bicicleta"

"We would have won the match if we'd had a decent goalkeeper." — "And if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle!"

if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle


puerco no se rasca en javilla

Literally, “[the] pig doesn't scratch itself on [the] sandbox tree”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 pig doesn't scratch itself on 􂀿the􂁀 sandbox tree

lit

shoot yourself in the foot
shoot oneself in the foot

(Dominican Republic) don't shoot yourself in the foot; people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones


querer es poder

where there's a will, there's a way
where there's a will, there's a way


el que no transa no avanza

(Mexico) he who does not compromise, does not progress; he who does not cheat, does not get ahead


todos los caminos conducen a Roma

todos los caminos llevan a Roma
todos los caminos llevan a Roma#Spanish

Alternative form of todos los caminos llevan a Roma


a buen fin no hay mal tiempo

all's well that ends well
all's well that ends well


todos los caminos llevan a Roma

all roads lead to Rome
all roads lead to Rome


todo vale en la guerra y en el amor

Literally, “all's fair in love and war”.

en la guerra y en el amor todo vale#Spanish

Alternative form of en la guerra y en el amor todo vale


al freír de los huevos lo verá

Literally, “you shall see when the eggs are fried”. First appeared in El ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha (1605).

the proof of the pudding is in the eating


los casis no cuentan

almost doesn't count
almost doesn't count

close only counts in horseshoes
close only counts in horseshoes

a miss is as good as a mile
a miss is as good as a mile

almost doesn't count; close only counts in horseshoes; a miss is as good as a mile


escoba nueva barre bien

a new broom sweeps clean
a new broom sweeps clean


la pluma es más poderosa que la espada

the pen is mightier than the sword
the pen is mightier than the sword


de casi no se muere nadie

Literally, “nobody ever dies from an almost”.

a miss is as good as a mile; almost doesn't count


más vale prevenir que curar

Literally, “it's worth more prevent/warn/foresee than cure/treat”.

lit

better safe than sorry
better safe than sorry


a quien madruga, Dios le ayuda

Literally, “God helps those who rise early”.

the early bird gets the worm
the early bird gets the worm


una imagen vale más que mil palabras

Literally, “a picture is worth more than a thousand words”.

lit

a picture is worth a thousand words
a picture is worth a thousand words


el ojo del amo engorda al caballo

Literally, “the eye of the owner fattens the horse”.

lit

the owner of a company has to be careful watching it


el fin justifica los medios

Literally, “the ends justify the means”. Compare el fin no justifica los medios.

the end justifies the means
the end justifies the means

the ends justify the means
the ends justify the means

the end justifies the means, the ends justify the means


head

muchas manos en un plato causan arrebato

too many cooks spoil the broth
too many cooks spoil the broth


más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando

Literally, “a bird in the hand is worth more than one hundred in flight”.

lit

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

más vale pájaro en mano que ver ciento volando

más vale pájaro en mano que buitre volando


de la mano a la boca desaparece la sopa

Literally, “from the hand to the mouth disappears the soup”.

lit

there's many a slip twixt cup and lip
there's many a slip twixt cup and lip


mi casa y mi hogar cien doblas val

Literally, “my house and my home is worth one hundred doblas”. The dobla was a former currency of Spain. The verb form val is an apocopic form of vale in order to rhyme with hogar (see assonant rhyme).

lit

there's no place like home
there's no place like home


mañana será otro día

tomorrow is another day
tomorrow is another day


genio y figura hasta la sepultura

[ˌxe.njo i fiˌɣ̞u.ɾa ˌas.t̪a la se.pul̪ˈt̪u.ɾa]

Literally, “genius and player until (the) burial”.

a leopard cannot change its spots
a leopard cannot change its spots


head

a buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan

/a ˌbwen entendeˌdoɾ | ˌpokas paˌlabɾas ˈbastan/

[a ˌβ̞wẽn ẽn̪.t̪ẽn̪.d̪eˌð̞oɾ | ˌpo.kas paˌla.β̞ɾaz ˈβ̞as.t̪ãn]

Literally, “to a good understander, few words are enough”.

lit

a nod is as good as a wink
a nod is as good as a wink


lo bueno, si breve

Literally, “what's good, if brief”. Ellipsis of lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno.

ellipsis

lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno#Spanish

Alternative form of lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno


lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno

Literally, “what's good, if brief, twice good”.


no es oro todo lo que reluce

-¡Ah! usted mismo no tardará en reconocerlo. No es oro todo lo que reluce. Verdad es que para mí nunca ha brillado el D. Rafaelito sino como hojalata.

-Ah! it will not take long for you to recognize it yourself. Not all that glitters is gold. It is true that for me Don Rafaelito has never shone but like tin

all that glitters is not gold
all that glitters is not gold


lo barato sale caro

Literally, “cheap [things] turn out expensive”.

el dinero del avaro, dos veces va al mercado

cheap objects or solutions can end up being expensive, because they don’t last as long, require high maintenance or are inefficient

buy cheap, buy twice
buy cheap, buy twice

cheap things in expensive disguise make everything more costly, setting precedence to inflate true value while lowering quality not just for goods but services and society as a whole


agua pasada no mueve molino

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones


head

si quieres conocer a Agapito, dale un puestito

/si ˌkjeɾes konoˌθeɾ a aɡaˌpito | ˌdale um pwesˈtito/

[si ˌkje.ɾes ko.noˌθeɾ a a.ɣ̞aˌpi.t̪o | ˌd̪a.le ũm pwesˈt̪i.t̪o]

/si ˌkjeɾes konoˌseɾ a aɡaˌpito | ˌdale um pwesˈtito/

[si ˌkje.ɾes ko.noˌseɾ a a.ɣ̞aˌpi.t̪o | ˌd̪a.le ũm pwesˈt̪i.t̪o]

Literally, “if you want to know Agapetus, give them a position of power”.

lit

If you want to know what someone is like, give them power


sobre gustos no hay nada escrito

Literally, “there's nothing written about tastes”.

there's no accounting for taste
there's no accounting for taste


más se perdió en Cuba

Literally, “more was lost in Cuba”, referring to the Spanish-American war.

worse things happen at sea
worse things happen at sea

(idiomatic) worse things happen at sea; could be worse; things ain't as bad as they might be


en la guerra y en el amor todo vale

Literally, “in love and war all's fair”.

all's fair in love and war
all's fair in love and war


nunca llueve a gusto de todos

One man's meat is another man's poison
one man's meat is another man's poison

One man's meat is another man's poison; one can't please everybody.


la cabra siempre tira al monte

Literally, “the goat always goes to the mountain”.

a leopard can't change his spots
a leopard can't change his spots


en casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo

en casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo#Spanish

Alternative form of en casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo


lo comido por lo servido

-Al buen pagador no le duelen prendas -replicó Sancho-. En siendo vuesa merced rey o arzobispo, ¿quién le impedirá que alargue la mano y diga: toma, hija, ya eres mi mujer, y ve si soy de los que dicen lo comido por lo servido?

1895, Juan Montalvo, “Chapter 15”, in Capítulos que se le olvidaron a Cervantes:

what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts


quien empieza ganando acaba llorando

(rare) If you win at gambling in the beginning, you'll end up losing big


jugar y nunca perder no puede ser

/xuˌɡaɾ i ˌnunka peɾˌdeɾ ˌno ˌpwede ˈseɾ/

[xuˌɣ̞aɾ i ˌnũŋ.ka peɾˌð̞eɾ ˌno ˌpwe.ð̞e ˈseɾ]

Literally, “to play and never lose cannot happen”

you win some, you lose some
you win some, you lose some


poderoso caballero es don dinero

[po.ð̞eˌɾo.so ka.β̞aˌʝe.ɾo ˌez ˌð̞õn̪ d̪iˈne.ɾo]

[po.ð̞eˌɾo.so ka.β̞aˌʎe.ɾo ˌez ˌð̞õn̪ d̪iˈne.ɾo]

[po.ð̞eˌɾo.so ka.β̞aˌʃe.ɾo ˌez ˌð̞õn̪ d̪iˈne.ɾo]

[po.ð̞eˌɾo.so ka.β̞aˌʒe.ɾo ˌez ˌð̞õn̪ d̪iˈne.ɾo]

Literally, “A powerful gentleman is Mr. Money”.


siempre hay un roto para un descosido

there's a lid for every pot
there's a lid for every pot


nunca falta un roto para un descosido

misery loves company
misery loves company

there's a lid for every pot; misery loves company

juntarse el hambre con las ganas de comer

sirve igual para un roto que para un descosido


a la tercera va la vencida

third time's a charm
third time's a charm


head

el infierno está empedrado de buenas intenciones

/el inˌfjeɾno esˌta empeˌdɾado de ˌbwenas intenˈθjones/

[el ĩɱˌfjeɾ.no esˌt̪a ẽm.peˌð̞ɾa.ð̞o ð̞e ˌβ̞we.nas ĩn̪.t̪ẽn̟ˈθjo.nes]

/el inˌfjeɾno esˌta empeˌdɾado de ˌbwenas intenˈsjones/

[el ĩɱˌfjeɾ.no esˌt̪a ẽm.peˌð̞ɾa.ð̞o ð̞e ˌβ̞we.nas ĩn̪.t̪ẽnˈsjo.nes]

the road to hell is paved with good intentions


camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente

Literally, “the shrimp that falls asleep is taken away by the current”.

lit

you snooze, you lose
you snooze, you lose


sin arcada no hay mamada

Literally, “without gagging there is no blowjob”.

(sex, informal, vulgar) a blowjob is not good unless it goes deep enough to make the person performing it gag


head

a caballo regalado, no le mires el dentado

a caballo regalado no le mires el diente#Spanish

Alternative form of a caballo regalado no le mires el diente


de aquellos polvos, estos lodos

[d̪e aˌke.ʝos ˌpol.β̞os | ˌes.t̪os ˈlo.ð̞os]

[d̪e aˌke.ʎos ˌpol.β̞os | ˌes.t̪os ˈlo.ð̞os]

[d̪e aˌke.ʃos ˌpol.β̞os | ˌes.t̪os ˈlo.ð̞os]

[d̪e aˌke.ʒos ˌpol.β̞os | ˌes.t̪os ˈlo.ð̞os]

Literally, “from those powders, these muds”.

lit

the chickens come home to roost
the chickens come home to roost

(idiomatic) the chickens come home to roost

quien siembra vientos recoge tempestades


el que tiene boca, se equivoca

[el ke ˌt̪je.ne ˌβ̞o.ka | se e.kiˈβ̞o.ka]

quien tiene boca, se equivoca
quien tiene boca, se equivoca#Spanish

Alternative form of quien tiene boca, se equivoca


head

cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan

/ˌkwando el ˌɡato ˌno esˌta | los raˌtones ˈbailan/

[ˌkwãn̪.d̪o el ˌɣ̞a.t̪o ˌno esˌt̪a | loz raˌt̪o.nez ˈβ̞ai̯.lãn]

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play


cada maestrillo tiene su librillo

[ˌka.ð̞a ma.esˌt̪ɾi.ʝo ˌt̪je.ne su liˈβ̞ɾi.ʝo]

[ˌka.ð̞a ma.esˌt̪ɾi.ʎo ˌt̪je.ne su liˈβ̞ɾi.ʎo]

[ˌka.ð̞a ma.esˌt̪ɾi.ʃo ˌt̪je.ne su liˈβ̞ɾi.ʃo]

[ˌka.ð̞a ma.esˌt̪ɾi.ʒo ˌt̪je.ne su liˈβ̞ɾi.ʒo]

there are many ways to skin a cat
there are many ways to skin a cat


te casaste, la cagaste

Literally, “you got married, you screwed up”.


más cornadas da el hambre

Literally, “hunger hurts more than a bull's goring”. A popular phrase by Manolete, a Spanish bullfighter and folk hero from the late 19th century.


hay más peces en el mar

there are many more potential opportunities available


cuando el río suena, agua lleva

no smoke without fire
no smoke without fire


la avaricia rompe el saco

Literally, “the avarice breaks the bag”.

grasp all, lose all; greed overreaches itself


lo que no te mata, te hace más fuerte

what doesn't kill you makes you stronger


head

la venganza es un plato que se sirve frío

Literally, “revenge is a dish that is served cold”.

lit

revenge is a dish best served cold
revenge is a dish best served cold


el fin no justifica los medios

Literally, “the end doesn't justify the means”. Compare el fin justifica los medios.

two wrongs don't make a right
two wrongs don't make a right

the end doesn't justify the means
the end doesn't justify the means

two wrongs don't make a right, the end doesn't justify the means


no hay rosa sin espina

no rose without a thorn
no rose without a thorn

every rose has its thorn
every rose has its thorn

no rose without a thorn, every rose has its thorn


la sangre tira

blood is thicker than water
blood is thicker than water


no hay miel sin hiel

Literally, “there's no honey without bile”.


head

tanto va el cántaro a la fuente que al final se rompe

Tanto fue el cántaro a la fuente, que al final se rompió. La coalición pro Brexit capturó el sistema político británico en 2016, y ha ido erosionando su credibilidad poco a poco hasta que, como pasa casi siempre, de repente la credibilidad se agotó y los mercados dijeron basta.

2022 October 16, Ángel Ubide, “Y Reino Unido se rompió”, in El País:

the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last


a río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores

fish in troubled waters
fish in troubled waters

(idiomatic) it is common to fish in troubled waters


de todo hay en la viña del Señor

[d̪e ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌai̯ ẽn la ˌβ̞i.ɲa ð̞el seˈɲoɾ]

it takes all kinds to make a world
it takes all kinds to make a world


no se pescan truchas a bragas enjutas

Loosely translated, "you can't catch trout without getting your pants wet"

la vida de la corte es cara, y no se pescan truchas a bragas enjutas

1898, Benito Pérez Galdós, De Oñate a la Granja:

nothing ventured, nothing gained
nothing ventured, nothing gained


un grano no hace granero, pero ayuda al compañero

/un ˌɡɾano ˌno ˌaθe ɡɾaˌneɾo | ˌpeɾo aˌʝuda al kompaˈɲeɾo/

[ũŋ ˌɡɾa.no ˌno ˌa.θe ɣ̞ɾaˌne.ɾo | ˌpe.ɾo aˌʝu.ð̞a al kõm.paˈɲe.ɾo]

/un ˌɡɾano ˌno ˌase ɡɾaˌneɾo | ˌpeɾo aˌʝuda al kompaˈɲeɾo/

[ũŋ ˌɡɾa.no ˌno ˌa.se ɣ̞ɾaˌne.ɾo | ˌpe.ɾo aˌʝu.ð̞a al kõm.paˈɲe.ɾo]

/un ˌɡɾano ˌno ˌase ɡɾaˌneɾo | ˌpeɾo aˌʃuda al kompaˈɲeɾo/

[ũŋ ˌɡɾa.no ˌno ˌa.se ɣ̞ɾaˌne.ɾo | ˌpe.ɾo aˌʃu.ð̞a al kõm.paˈɲe.ɾo]

/un ˌɡɾano ˌno ˌase ɡɾaˌneɾo | ˌpeɾo aˌʒuda al kompaˈɲeɾo/

[ũŋ ˌɡɾa.no ˌno ˌa.se ɣ̞ɾaˌne.ɾo | ˌpe.ɾo aˌʒu.ð̞a al kõm.paˈɲe.ɾo]


contra el vicio de pedir, la virtud de no dar

It is best to not give to those that ask for too much


donde hay patrón, no manda marinero

what someone says goes
what someone says goes


no todo lo que brilla es oro

no es oro todo lo que reluce
no es oro todo lo que reluce#Spanish

Alternative form of no es oro todo lo que reluce


ahora es cuando, chile verde, le has de dar sabor al caldo

(Mexico) the floor is now yours; it's your turn to act/speak/shine


las apariencias engañan

appearances are deceptive
appearances are deceptive


tanto peca el que mata a la vaca como el que le agarra la pata

/ˌtanto ˌpeka el ke ˌmata a la ˌbaka ˌkomo el ke le aˌɡara la ˈpata/

[ˌt̪ãn̪.t̪o ˌpe.ka el ke ˌma.t̪a a la ˌβ̞a.ka ˌko.mo el ke le aˌɣ̞a.ra la ˈpa.t̪a]

Literally, “a lot sins who kills the cow as well as who grasps the leg”.

lit

the receiver is as bad as the thief
the receiver is as bad as the thief


grandes mentes piensan igual

great minds think alike
great minds think alike


los caminos del Señor son inescrutables

/los kaˌminos del seˌɲoɾ ˌson ineskɾuˈtables/

[los kaˌmi.noz ð̞el seˌɲoɾ ˌsõn i.nes.kɾuˈt̪a.β̞les]

God works in mysterious ways
God works in mysterious ways


de lo que se come se cría

you are what you eat
you are what you eat


cuantos más, mejor

the more the merrier
the more the merrier


perro viejo no aprende trucos nuevos

you can't teach an old dog new tricks
you can't teach an old dog new tricks


head

cada quien tiene su manera de matar pulgas

there's more than one way to skin a cat
there's more than one way to skin a cat


la tercera es la vencida

third time's a charm
third time's a charm


al que no habla, Dios no lo oye

[al ke ˌno ˌa.β̞la | ˌd̪joz ˌno lo ˈo.ʝe]

[al ke ˌno ˌa.β̞la | ˌd̪joz ˌno lo ˈo.ʃe]

[al ke ˌno ˌa.β̞la | ˌd̪joz ˌno lo ˈo.ʒe]

the squeaky wheel gets the grease
the squeaky wheel gets the grease


en tiempos de guerra cualquier agujero es trinchera

/en ˌtjempos de ˌɡera kwalˌkjeɾ aɡuˌxeɾo ˌes tɾinˈt͡ʃeɾa/

[ẽn̪ ˌt̪jẽm.poz ð̞e ˌɣ̞e.ra kwalˌkjeɾ a.ɣ̞uˌxe.ɾo ˌes t̪ɾĩnʲˈt͡ʃe.ɾa]

Literally, “In times of war, any hole is a trench”.

lit

(vulgar, colloquial) phrase used by someone who has a strong desire to have sexual intercourse and doesn't care who they would do it with (usually in the context of having sex between men); any hole's a goal

en tiempos de guerra cualquier hoyo es trinchera

en época de guerra cualquier agujero es trinchera

en tiempos de guerra cualquier hueco es trinchera


muerto el perro, se acabó la rabia

to deal with a problem, it is necessary to nip it in the bud


el que la sigue la consigue

if at first you don't succeed, try try again


cada uno tiene lo que se merece

every man is the architect of his own fortune


una golondrina no hace verano

Literally, “one swallow doesn't make a summer”, a calque of Ancient Greek μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ (mía khelidṑn éar ou poieî, “one swallow does not make a spring”); the reference to summer instead of spring is shared with various other European languages (see the descendants at the Greek entry).

cal

μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ

one swallow does not a summer make
one swallow does not a summer make


el vivo vive del bobo

[el ˌβ̞i.β̞o ˌβ̞i.β̞e ð̞el ˈβ̞o.β̞o]

there's a sucker born every minute
there's a sucker born every minute

(Colombia) there's a sucker born every minute


head

en la mucha necesidad, se conoce al amigo de verdad

a friend in need is a friend indeed
a friend in need is a friend indeed


piensa el ladrón que todos son de su condición

it takes one to know one
it takes one to know one


hasta el rabo, todo es toro

Literally, “until the tail [is cut off], it is all bull”. The phrase originated in the bullfighting world.

m-g

until the tail 􂀿is cut off􂁀, it is all bull

lit

it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings
it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings


comerás con la cuchara que escojas

you made your bed, now sleep in it
you made your bed, now sleep in it


la ocasión la pintan calva

make hay while the sun shines
make hay while the sun shines


a mucha hambre no hay pan duro

beggars can't be choosers
beggars can't be choosers


a buen hambre no hay pan duro

Literally, “to good hunger, there is no hard bread”

lit

a falta de algo más jugoso, los hambrientos camellos, demostrando que a buen hambre no hay pan duro, devoran con avidez.

1964, Juan Bautista Bergua, Historia de Las Religiones:

for lack of something more juicy, the hungry camels, demonstrating that to good hunger, there is no hard bread, devour with avidity.


más vale solo que mal acompañado

it's better to be alone than in bad company


head

el amante en lo que ama, imperfecciones no halla


el tiempo y la marea ni se paran ni esperan

time and tide wait for no man
time and tide wait for no man


divide y vencerás

[d̪iˌβ̞i.ð̞e i β̞ẽn̟.θeˈɾas]


el lobo muere lobo

the fox may grow grey but never good
the fox may grow grey but never good

the fox may grow grey but never good; the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature


en boca cerrada no entran moscas

a closed mouth catches no flies
a closed mouth catches no flies


nadie da duros a pesetas

nothing comes for free
nothing comes for free

you don't get something for nothing
you don't get something for nothing

nothing comes for free; you don't get something for nothing


la naturaleza aborrece el vacío

nature abhors a vacuum
nature abhors a vacuum


al hierro caliente batir de repente

Literally, “at the hot iron, strike quickly”

lit

strike while the iron is hot
strike while the iron is hot

(idiomatic) strike while the iron is hot


el último mono es el que se ahoga

devil take the hindmost
devil take the hindmost


a grandes males, grandes remedios

desperate times call for desperate measures


consejos vendo y para mí no tengo

do as I say and not as I do
do as I say and not as I do


una cosa es predicar, y otra dar trigo

easier said than done
easier said than done


donde hay confianza, da asco

familiarity breeds contempt
familiarity breeds contempt


a falta de pan, buenas son tortas

half a loaf is better than none
half a loaf is better than none

beggars can't be choosers; half a loaf is better than none


ruin señor cría ruin servidor

[ˌrwĩn seˌɲoɾ ˌkɾi.a ˌrwĩn seɾ.β̞iˈð̞oɾ]

(figurative) a bad master makes a bad servant; if leadership sets a bad example, their subordinates will follow suit


palabra de boca, piedra de honda

[paˌla.β̞ɾa ð̞e ˌβ̞o.ka | ˌpje.ð̞ɾa ð̞e ˈõn̪.d̪a]

Literally, “word from the mouth, stone from a slingshot”.

lit

loose lips sink ships
loose lips sink ships


palabra y piedra suelta no tiene vuelta

desc

→ Tagalog: wika at batong ihagis, di na muling babalik (calque)

/paˌlabɾa i ˌpjedɾa ˌswelta ˌno ˌtjene ˈbwelta/

[paˌla.β̞ɾa i ˌpje.ð̞ɾa ˌswel̪.t̪a ˌno ˌt̪je.ne ˈβ̞wel̪.t̪a]

Literally, “a word and stone once launched cannot return”.


head

lo que se aprende en la cuna siempre dura

/lo ke se aˌpɾende en la ˌkuna ˌsjempɾe ˈduɾa/

[lo ke se aˌpɾẽn̪.d̪e ẽn la ˌku.na ˌsjẽm.pɾe ˈð̞u.ɾa]

lo que se aprende en la cuna, siempre dura#Spanish

Alternative form of lo que se aprende en la cuna, siempre dura


lo que se aprende en la cuna, siempre dura

/lo ke se aˌpɾende en la ˌkuna | ˌsjempɾe ˈduɾa/

[lo ke se aˌpɾẽn̪.d̪e ẽn la ˌku.na | ˌsjẽm.pɾe ˈð̞u.ɾa]

Literally, “what you learned in the crib always lasts”.

lit

what's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh


quien más tiene, más quiere

those who have wealth will desire more; greed never satisfies


en arca abierta el justo peca

[ẽn ˌaɾ.ka aˌβ̞jeɾ.t̪a el ˌxus.t̪o ˈpe.ka]

Literally, “when the chest is open the righteous sins”.

lit

opportunity makes a thief
opportunity makes a thief


la ocasión hace ladrón

Literally, “the occasion makes the thief”.


la unión hace fuerza

la unión hace la fuerza
la unión hace la fuerza#Spanish

Alternative form of la unión hace la fuerza (“unity is strength”)


el que adelante no mira, atrás se queda

/el ke adeˌlante ˌno ˌmiɾa | aˌtɾas se ˈkeda/

[el ke a.ð̞eˌlãn̪.t̪e ˌno ˌmi.ɾa | aˌt̪ɾas se ˈke.ð̞a]

Literally, “one who does not look forward stays behind”.

lit

one who does not plan ahead will be left behind; do not do things unprepared


head

manos besa el hombre, que querría ver cortadas

/ˌmanos ˌbesa el ˌombɾe | ke keˌria ˌbeɾ koɾˈtadas/

[ˌma.noz ˌβ̞e.sa el ˌõm.bɾe | ke keˌri.a ˌβ̞eɾ koɾˈt̪a.ð̞as]

Literally, “the man kisses the hands he wants to see cut”.


la unión constituye la fuerza

Literally, “unity constitutes strength”.


head

quien hace un cesto hará ciento, si le dan mimbres y tiempo

/ˌkjen ˌaθe un ˌθesto aˌɾa ˌθjento | si le ˌdam ˌmimbɾes i ˈtjempo/

[ˌkjẽn ˌa.θe ũn̟ ˌθes.t̪o aˌɾa ˌθjẽn̪.t̪o | si le ˌð̞ãm ˌmĩm.bɾes i ˈt̪jẽm.po]

/ˌkjen ˌase un ˌsesto aˌɾa ˌsjento | si le ˌdam ˌmimbɾes i ˈtjempo/

[ˌkjẽn ˌa.se ũn ˌses.t̪o aˌɾa ˌsjẽn̪.t̪o | si le ˌð̞ãm ˌmĩm.bɾes i ˈt̪jẽm.po]

Literally, “whoever makes a basket will make a hundred, if they are given wickers and time”.


head

más vale pájaro en mano que buitre volando

/ˌmas ˌbale ˌpaxaɾo em ˌmano ke ˌbwitɾe boˈlando/

[ˌmaz ˌβ̞a.le ˌpa.xa.ɾo ẽm ˌma.no ke ˌβ̞wi.t̪ɾe β̞oˈlãn̪.d̪o]

Literally, “a bird in hand is better than a vulture in flight”.

lit

más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando#Spanish

Alternative form of más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando


donde no hay mata no hay patata

Literally, “where there is no shrub, there is no potato”, i.e. you cannot have a potato without a potato plant.

lit

—Venga, Fernando, vámonos. Donde no hay mata no hay patata y con estos caguetas no hay nada que hacer—fue la despedida de Juan.

2022, Javier Fernández López, Mi abuelo, page 155:

—Come on, Fernando, let's go. Where there is no shrub, there is no potato, and with these cowards there is nothing to do—was Juan's farewell.

Busque. Busque y verá cómo algo queda. Si no, déjelo sin más dilaciones porque, como dicen en mi tierra, donde no hay mata, no hay patata...

2013, David Pérez, Cómo ser feliz en el trabajo cuando el jefe es tonto, page 82:

Search. Search and you will see how something is. If not, leave it without further delay because, as they say in my country, where there is no shrub, there is no potato...

Este ha sido el único escollo, íntimo, ínfimo, mínimo, que me ha hecho recapacitar en la persistencia de la memoria y en que donde no hay mata, no hay patata.

This has been the only obstacle, intimate, tiny, minimal, that has made me reconsider the persistence of memory and that where there is no shrub, there is no potato.

One cannot perform a task without having the necessary materials or skills to do so.


perro que ladra no muerde

Literally, “dog that barks doesn't bite”.

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite


entre gitanos no nos leemos la suerte

Literally, “among gypsies we don't read our luck”.

entre gitanos no nos leemos las cartas#Spanish

Synonym of entre gitanos no nos leemos las cartas


entre gitanos no nos leemos la mano

Literally, “among gypsies we don't read our hands”.


a perro flaco, todo son pulgas

[a ˌpe.ro ˌfla.ko | ˌt̪o.ð̞o ˌsõm ˈpul.ɣ̞as]

it never rains but it pours
it never rains but it pours


a nadie le amarga un dulce

Literally, “a sweet is not bitter to anyone”.

something is better than nothing
something is better than nothing


el que no chilla no mama

Literally, “he who doesn't cry, doesn't suckle (suck milk)”.

lit

a closed mouth doesn't get fed
a closed mouth doesn't get fed

(colloquial) someone who does not express their needs or desires may not obtain them; a closed mouth doesn't get fed.