32 Popular Spanish Proverbs and Idioms That Sound Like a Native | tell me in spanish (2023)

Spanish proverbs (also called proverbs) are short phrases that contain a piece of wisdom or advice. But in addition to the life lessons you might get, Spanish Proverbs are a great and fun way to improve your language skills and expand your vocabulary.

In view of this, this Article contains 32 famous spanish proverbs you need to know. I've included examples and brief explanations to help you use these expressions correctly.

• sayings about life
• sayings about love

At the end you can download oneCopy of Spanish Proverbs PDFwhich includes all the proverbs listed below so you can practice them and incorporate them into your conversational repertoire at your own pace.

Observe:Howjokesoridioms, Spanish proverbs may not always have a direct translation. These are advanced terms, so you should try to understand their meaning instead of translating it.

Spanish sayings about life

Below are some popular sayings that you can use in different life situations. Make sure you read the descriptions to learn how to use them.

1. The deceived pays dearly

The deceived pays dearlycommunicates that buying cheap things or services turns out to be expensive because you have to spend more money to repair or replace them. This saying has a similar meaning as "Buy cheap, buy twice’.

Don't buy a used cell phoneCheap expensive salt.
Don't buy a used phone.Buy cheap, buy twice.

2. Few words for better understanding

This Spanish proverb implies that an intelligent person does not need long or detailed explanations to understand something.The good listener few wordsmeans'A word to the scholars will suffice'.

3. God helps those who get up early

This proverb expresses that things go better when you think ahead and get things done on time.God helps those who get up earlycomes close to meaning'The early bird catches the worm'.

4. Sleeping shrimp are swept away by the current

Shrimp that falls asleep, it carries electricityis usually used to express that laziness or inattention can cause a person to miss an opportunity. This saying is closely related to "if you fall asleep, you lose'.

Try it!Shrimp that falls asleep, it carries electricity.
Give everything! If youslumber, you lose.

5. To what is being done, chest

What is done chestis a popular saying about life that reminds people that when they've done something wrong, they can only face the consequences.

Ni modo.What is done chest.
What's done is done.

6. We see faces, we don't know hearts

This Spanish proverb conveys that you shouldn't trust or judge people based on their looks alone. This expression can be translated as"Don't judge a book by its cover".

Nancy looks nice, thoughWe see faces, we don't know hearts.
Nancy seems nice, thoughDon't judge a book by its cover.

7. There is a long way to go from word to action

In Spanish,it is a long way from saying to factmeans you cannot always take a person's word for granted, as there is a significant distance between what a person says and what they do.

8. Tell me who you are with and I will tell you who you are

This saying conveys that you can get a good idea of ​​who a person is based on the type of people they hang out with. This phrase means "Tell me who your friends are, I'll tell you who you are“.

9. He who walks with wolves is taught how to howl

In Spanish we use this proverb to express that if you are surrounded by bad influences, you are likely to adopt your bad habits. This proverb has a similar meaning as "If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

10. Good face in bad weather

good face to bad weathercan be used tocheer people upand remind them to keep a good attitude even in difficult situations. This Spanish saying of life can be translated as "Keep a stiff upper lip' or 'Heads up!’.

Cheer!To bad weather, good face.
light up,Keep a stiff upper lip!

11. There is no worse deaf than the one who does not want to hear

There is no worse deaf than the one who doesn't want to hearis a popular Spanish proverb that expresses the pointless attempt to make a person understand if he or she is not willing to listen to reason. This proverb can be translated as"No one is so deaf as those who do not want to hear".

Don't insist anymorethere is no worse deaf than the one who does not want to hear.
Don't insist;No one is as deaf as those who don't want to hear.

12. Silence grants

Silence is consentmeans that if you don't speak up, you agree with what others say or take responsibility for something. This phrase is closely related to "silence is consent'.

You won't say anything?Silence is consent.
You have nothing to say?Silence is consent.

13. Skill is better than strength

With this proverb you can express that sometimes you get further with skill and intelligence than with physical strength.Better skill than strengthis the equivalent of“Brain is better than muscle’.

Don't exhaust yourselfBetter skill than strength.
Don't tire yourself;Brain is better than brown.

14. The one who squeezes a lot of small envelopes

To advise people not to do more than they can handle, you can use the Spanish proverbthe one who pushes many small covers.This expression is the equivalent of"Don't bite off more than you can chew".

Are you sure you can?The one who pushes many small covers.
Are you sure you can?Don't bite off more than you can chew.

15. Better to be badly known than well known

This Spanish proverb is used to warn people that it may be wiser to stick with what you know rather than take a risk with what seems better. This saying is the equivalent of"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know".

16. Where the captain rules, the sailor does not rule

This popular Spanish proverb is used to remind people of the hierarchy in a specific place.

Wherever he sends captains, he does not rule over sailors. do what i say
Where a captain rules, a sailor has no influence.do what i say

Spanish sayings about love

Below you will find the most common sayings about love in Spanish.

Observe:If you want to learn different ways of sayingI love youin Spanish you shouldCheck this article.

17. Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel

This popular Spanish proverb expresses that people cannot be hurt by things they do not know or see. This sentence can be translated as "Ignorance is bliss’.

I decided not to tell him anything.Out of sight out of mind.
I decided not to tell her.Ignorance is bliss.

18. A nail pulls out another nail

After a breakup, Spanish speakers use the proverbA nail drives out another nailto encourage her friends to see other people to forget her old love. This phrase has a similar meaning as "one nail drives out another' or 'one devil drives out the other’.

Why don't you go out with Omar?A nail drives out another nail.
Why don't you go out with Omar?One nail drives out another.

19. God lifts them up and they come together

To express that a couple has similar tastes or behaviors, you can use the sayingPeople of the same kind stick together,which does ______________ mean 'people of the same kind stick together’.

Observe:In Spanish, this proverb can also be applied to a friendship.

20. There's always a tear for a tear

When it comes to couplesFor a stranger there is always a breakconveys that there is something for everyone. This expression means "there is a lid for every pot”.

21. Where there was fire, there remains ashes

Spanish speakers use the proverbWhere there was fire, there is ashesto express how difficult it is to forget a meaningful relationship. This expression can be translated as "old flames die hard’.

you still love each otherWhere there was fire, there is ashes.
you still love each otherOld flames die hard.

Funny & Cute Spanish Sayings

Although they convey wisdom, that doesn't mean Spanish proverbs can't be funny. Below are some fun and cute sayings to add to your vocabulary.

22. Whoever is a budgie is green wherever he wants

If you are a budgie, you are green wherever you wantis a Mexican proverb that expresses that if you are good at something, you should be able to use those skills no matter how dire the circumstances.

Save your excuses.If you are a budgie, you are green wherever you want.
Don't make excuses.If you're good, you're good.

23. The devil knows more for being old than being a devil

This Spanish proverb conveys that wisdom comes with time and experience. As a result,The devil knows more for being old than for being a devilis closely related to ""with age comes wisdom’ and is typically used when counseling younger people.

24. Every madman with his theme

Each their own topicreminds people that everyone has different interests and therefore we must be tolerant of the passions and tastes of others. This proverb means in Spanish “to each his own".

I don't like that, but it's okayEach their own topic.
I don't like that, but it's okay.To each his own.

25. Dog that barks doesn't bite

This funny saying implies that a person who threatens is unlikely to take any action.Barking dog doesn't bitecan be translated as "big mouth but nothing behind it’.

26. Shoe rack for your shoes

Shoe rack for your shoesis a fun way to tell peoplemind their own businesswhen they express their opinion without understanding or knowing more about the situation.

27. If you want light blue, let it taste

we useif you want light blue, let it costto remind people that we have to work to get something. This Spanish proverb is the equivalent of'No pain no gain’.

do you want the car Functions!If you want light blue, let him taste it.
do you want the car Work!No pain no gain.

28. When the river rushes, it's because water carries it

When the river rushes, it's because water is carryingis a popular saying used by Spaniards to express themselves

that there may be some truth to the rumors they hear. This saying is the equivalent of"Where there is smoke there is fire".

29. The one who went to the mansion lost his chair

With this common Spanish proverb, you can express that if a person is distracted or doesn't do something quickly, someone else can take advantage of that opportunity. As a result, this saying is the equivalent of'if you fall asleep, you lose'.

Was the piece yours? I'm sorry,the one who went to the villa lost his chair.
Was the piece yours? Forgiveness,if you fall asleep, you lose.

Observe:InCastilian Spanish, you may need to use the variationthe one who went to Seville lost his chair.

30. To another dog with that bone

To let someone know that you don't believe a word they say, you can use the Spanish proverbTo another dog with that bone.This phrase has a similar meaning as "Give me a break’.

Oh please!To another dog with that bone.
light up,Give me a break!

31. Wherever you go, do what you see

One should adhere to local customsused to advise people to adopt the behaviors and traditions of the foreign place they are visiting or moving to. This Spanish proverb is the equivalent of'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'.

32 ducks shoot shotguns

Ducks shoot shotgunsis used to indicate that two roles have been absurdly reversed. This saying refers not only to hierarchical roles, but also to people who, despite bad habits, advise others on their behavior. Although it doesn't express the same level of cheekiness, this saying has a similar meaning to "now the roles are reversed’.

Spanish Proverbs Summary and Download PDF

Now that you've learned some common Spanish proverbs, it's time to incorporate them into your conversations. I've created a PDF for you to download to learn these proverbs and phrases at your own pace while expanding your vocabulary and expressions over time.