{"id":144735,"date":"2023-01-05T18:03:26","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T23:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/common-spanish-sayings\/"},"modified":"2025-02-25T19:09:02","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T00:09:02","slug":"common-spanish-sayings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/common-spanish-sayings\/","title":{"rendered":"27 Spanish Sayings to Express Yourself Like a Native Speaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sayings are a culture\u2019s way of passing distilled wisdom to the next generation. They reflect where a culture has been and allow the inquiring language learner a deeper appreciation of the language.<\/p>\n

Beyond the moral and cultural lessons taught, sayings are perfectly structured insights and are therefore a great way to learn new vocabulary<\/a>\u00a0and Spanish grammar<\/a>. Below, we\u2019ve got plenty of colorful and insightful Spanish ones for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. A\u00f1o nuevo, vida nueva <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 New year, new me
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> New year, new life<\/p>\n

As in English, this Spanish saying is mostly used around the new year.<\/p>\n

\u201cA\u00f1o nuevo, vida nueva\u201d<\/em> is a great example of how the different parts of speech in Spanish must agree with each other in gender<\/a> and number.<\/p>\n

“New” is used in both its male singular form (nuevo)<\/em> and the female form (nueva)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Since a\u00f1o<\/em>\u00a0is masculine, the adjective that describes it is masculine too. Since vida<\/em> is feminine, the adjective is feminine.<\/p>\n

2. A cada cerdo le llega su San Mart\u00edn <\/em> \u2014 You reap what you sow<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Every pig has her Saint Martin<\/p>\n

November 11 is the feast of St. Martin of Tours\u2014a traditional slaughter of pigs that happens in different villages in Spain.<\/p>\n

Also known as “<\/em>La Matanza”<\/em> (the slaughter), this time of the year is perfect for curing meat as the first frost arrives. A family would kill one to three pigs to store enough food for the winter.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s like saying, “Every turkey has her Thanksgiving.”<\/p>\n

It’s essentially about bad behavior being punished eventually, or “you reap what you sow” in English.<\/p>\n

3. El que la hace, la paga <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 What goes around comes around<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> He who does it, pays for it<\/p>\n

Corrupt politicians, scrupulous businessmen, greedy corporations, unfaithful partners\u2014these are the types of people you might use this phrase to describe.<\/p>\n

Like the previous expression, it underscores the strong belief in Spanish cultures that ultimately, justice will be served\u2014through divine intervention or otherwise.<\/p>\n

The evil you do to others will ultimately be your undoing.<\/p>\n

4. A mal tiempo, buena cara <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 When life gives you lemons, make lemonade<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> To bad weather, good face<\/p>\n

The expression talks about the attitude a person should have in the face of adversity.<\/p>\n

It’s more than just “putting on a brave face” or “keeping a stiff upper lip.” It\u2019s an attitude of hope and optimism because you can always change your attitude, even when you can’t change the environment.<\/p>\n

5. M\u00e1s ven cuatro ojos que dos <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Two heads are better than one<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Four eyes see more than two<\/p>\n

The point of view, perspective or opinion of another person is vital if you want a complete understanding of a situation.<\/p>\n

So rather than making a decision solo, enlist the help of others.<\/p>\n

A fresh pair of eyes can unveil options you haven\u2019t considered before, resulting in an enriched understanding of any problem.<\/p>\n

6. Dime con qui\u00e9n andas, y te dir\u00e9 qui\u00e9n eres <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 You are who you surround yourself with<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Tell me who you walk with, and I\u2019ll tell you who you are<\/p>\n

You can know a person by the company they keep.<\/p>\n

If you associate with the wrong crowd, you won’t only be judged poorly by others\u2013but by osmosis, you will absorb the ways of your friends.<\/p>\n

But if you find the right crowd, keep them close and never let them go.<\/p>\n

For example, you don\u2019t have to be alone when learning Spanish. Find partners, tutors, friendly native speakers and a community of like-minded individuals who\u2014just like you\u2014are improving their lives by learning a second language.<\/p>\n

7. Dios los cr\u00eda, y ellos se juntan <\/em>\u00a0<\/u><\/em>\u2014 Birds of a feather flock together<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> God breeds them, and they flock together<\/p>\n

People usually bond with others who they have things in common with.<\/p>\n

But this phrase is often said disapprovingly to refer to people who share a negative<\/em> characteristic (like a group of rowdy boys who got sent to the principal\u2019s office).<\/p>\n

And just as you don\u2019t have to finish the whole English expression and can say \u201cBirds of a feather…,\u201d you can also say, “Dios los cr\u00eda…”<\/em>\u00a0and the Spanish folks would know what you mean.<\/p>\n

8. Donde hay confianza, da asco <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Familiarity breeds contempt
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Where there is familiarity, it’s disgusting<\/p>\n

There are many perks of friendship.<\/p>\n

You have a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand and a buddy to share good times with. But closeness can also bring drawbacks.<\/p>\n

For example, your friend might not make a big deal about being late to a meetup with you because they know you’re going to wait for them, whereas they’d respect a stranger’s time.<\/p>\n

9. Hoy por ti, ma\u00f1ana por m\u00ed <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours
\n<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Today for you, tomorrow for me<\/p>\n

This expression is about reciprocity and the golden rule, but it’s actually more positive than “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” suggests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Instead, the actions come from a sense of generosity. It\u2019s like paying the bill at the restaurant and saying, “Let me get this one. You get the next one.<\/em>“<\/p>\n

10. Desgraciado en el juego, afortunado en amores <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Unlucky with wealth, lucky with love<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Unlucky in the game, lucky in love<\/p>\n

No one can have everything in life.<\/p>\n

If you’ve found love, that’s already much to be thankful for. And if you\u2019ve found great wealth, you\u2019re better off than others. It’s often used to console someone who loses (or never finds) love or material wealth.<\/p>\n

This saying could also go the other way: Afortunado en el juego, desgraciado en amores<\/em>\u2014which means being lucky in the game, but unlucky in love.<\/p>\n

11. El amor es ciego <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Love is blind
\n<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> The love is blind<\/p>\n

When you’re deep in love, it’s hard to recognize the shortcomings of your significant other.<\/p>\n

You can use this phrase when warning your friend that they’re ignoring someone’s red flags because they have a big crush\u2014or, a good friend might say it to you!<\/p>\n

12. Obras son amores, que no buenas razones <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Actions speak louder than words
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Works are love, and not good reasons<\/p>\n

Spanish is a passionate language with many words to express love, such as querer <\/em><\/strong>(desire), encantar<\/strong> <\/em>(bewitch) and aventura<\/strong> amorosa <\/strong><\/em>(affair).<\/em><\/p>\n

Someone might’ve even said\u00a0“te amo”<\/em> or\u00a0“te quiero”\u00a0<\/em>(I love you) to you.<\/p>\n

But you’ve also heard the saying “love is a verb”\u2014well, this is the Spanish equivalent. Someone can say they love you all they want, but if their actions don’t back up their claims, they mean nothing.<\/p>\n

13. Mucho ruido y pocas nueces <\/em>\u00a0\u2014 All bark and no bite<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Lots of noise and few nuts<\/p>\n

This saying is used when someone is talking a big game but has next to nothing to show for it.<\/p>\n

Think of politicians promising heaven and earth during the election campaign and doing nothing after winning. All talk and no action.<\/em><\/p>\n

Think of an overhyped concert that falls flat or a highly anticipated movie that doesn\u2019t deliver.<\/p>\n

All these situations warrant the expression, “<\/em>Mucho ruido y pocas nueces.”<\/em>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

14. No es oro todo lo que reluce <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Not everything that glitters is gold
\n<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> It\u2019s not gold everything that glitters<\/p>\n

This saying encourages us to always see deeper into things\u2014to look beyond the flashes and brilliance and into the real substance.<\/p>\n

Things aren’t always what they seem, and an attitude of healthy skepticism may give us the ability to make sound decisions.<\/p>\n

Of course, the opposite is also true. Just because something doesn\u2019t glitter doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t precious.<\/p>\n

Things are not always what they seem to be. As such, this phrase can be positive or negative.
\n<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

15. A caballo regalado, no le mires el diente <\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> A gift horse, don\u2019t look at the tooth<\/p>\n

Caballo<\/em> (horse) shows up in many Spanish sayings because horses were the main mode of transport until the 19th<\/span> century. The number of horses someone owned also symbolized their wealth.<\/p>\n

The saying originated from the practice in livestock markets where buyers look inside the mouth of a horse they\u2019re interested in because the teeth and molars can reveal their health.<\/p>\n

The expression is about gratitude\u2014receiving gifts while appreciating the giver\u2019s generosity instead of highlighting the gift\u2019s imperfections and shortcomings.<\/p>\n

16. Arrieros somos y en el camino nos encontraremos <\/em> \u2014 What goes around, comes around<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Mule drivers we are and on the path we will meet<\/p>\n

When someone refuses to give someone else help, it’s likely that sometime in the future, they’ll need help but won’t receive it.<\/p>\n

I’ve heard this expression used between work colleagues in a joking tone but with slight tension. It’s to let the other person know that their lack of help has created a “comeback” situation.<\/p>\n

You may hear variations on the word\u00a0arrieros<\/em>,\u00a0<\/em>which could be replaced by its diminutive\u00a0arrieritos.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

17. M\u00e1s vale holgar, que mal trabajar <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Better to do nothing than to do everything wrong<\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/b>Better to stand idle than work badly<\/p>\n

It’s better to stand around idle than work ineffectively\u2014or better to do nothing than do everything wrong.<\/p>\n

You can use this expression at work or to describe a situation in life where you don’t want to screw things up.<\/p>\n

18. Lo que no se empieza, no se acaba <\/em> \u2014 Put the pedal to the metal<\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/strong>What does not start will not end<\/p>\n

You have to get in there to get things done. The project won’t ever be finished if you don’t even start.<\/p>\n

This could be used in situations where you’d say “put the pedal to the metal” in English to motivate someone to get going on their share of work.<\/p>\n

Or, “you miss every shot you don’t take.”<\/p>\n

19. No hay trabajo malo, lo malo es tener que trabajar <\/em> \u2014 The job isn’t bad, working is
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/b>There is no bad job; the bad thing is having to work<\/p>\n

In this case, the meaning is pretty straightforward.<\/p>\n

When you’re tired and fed up at work, this is the perfect saying to put a grin on everyone’s face.<\/p>\n

It also speaks to the importance of leisure in Spanish-speaking culture. I heard this one quite a few times while traveling through Mexico, and it’s my personal favorite.<\/p>\n

20. Te quiero como la trucha al trucho <\/em> \u2014 I love you like the female trout loves the male trout<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> I love you like the female trout does the male trout<\/p>\n

This is a very common expression used between lovers that plays with Spanish masculine and feminine nouns: trucha\u00a0<\/em>(a female trout) and trucho<\/em>\u00a0(a male trout).<\/p>\n

This cute love saying is used between couples during little, lovey-dovey moments like “Eskimo kisses.”<\/p>\n

It can be employed by men or women and puts a smile on anyone’s face.<\/p>\n

Alternatively\u2014but on rarer occasions\u2014it can be used with kids. For example, a mother or father might use this saying to express love to their young child.<\/p>\n

21. M\u00e1s r\u00e1pido se coge al mentiroso que al cojo <\/em> \u2014 The truth comes out sooner or later<\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/b>You catch a liar faster than a limper<\/p>\n

This phrase is the equivalent of “spit it out” or “sooner or later, all lies rise to the surface.”<\/p>\n

For example, when you suspect that your partner is blatantly lying to your face, this expression is a call for them to be honest and tell you the truth because sooner or later, you will catch them.<\/p>\n

You may use this expression when you already know someone has lied but are pretending that you don’t.<\/p>\n

22. M\u00e1s vale estar solo que mal acompa\u00f1ado <\/em> \u2014 Better off alone than in bad company
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> It’s worth more being alone than in bad company<\/p>\n

This is a very popular expression, and it’s used exactly the same as its English equivalent.<\/p>\n

It’s mostly used to advise your friends who are interested in someone unworthy of their time or with a lot of red flags, like “it’s better to be alone than go out with that guy\/girl.”<\/p>\n

Or, you can use it to console a friend dealing with heartbreak by saying, “you’re better off alone\/without him or her!”<\/p>\n

23. Amar sin padecer, no puede ser <\/em> \u2014 There’s no such thing as love without pain<\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/b>To love without suffering is not possible<\/p>\n

This phrase unlocks telenovela mentality: love is full of drama and suffering, and if it’s not, then it’s not real love.<\/p>\n

This isn’t a judgment on the Spanish-speaking world’s views on love, but rather an observation of how the culture can view it. It’s more or less the equivalent of “Love is a b-word.”<\/p>\n

Kind of harsh, I know.<\/p>\n

Following heartbreak or deception, this saying perfectly describes how you feel (or can be employed to console a weeping friend).<\/p>\n

24. Al pan, pan, y al vino, vino <\/em> \u2014 Call a spade a spade<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> Call the bread bread and the wine wine<\/p>\n

Although this phrase contains food references, it means “talk straight to me” or “give it to me straight.”<\/p>\n

This indicates the importance of food in Spanish, as many phrases that contain food vocabulary<\/a> have nothing to do with food at all but are rather general attitudes, commands or opinions.<\/p>\n

This phrase is commonly used among friends in Spain (particularly in Madrid).<\/p>\n

It’s a call for someone to talk directly and truthfully and could be likened to the English expression “call a spade a spade.”<\/p>\n

25. Con las manos en la masa <\/em> \u2014 Caught red-handed<\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/b>With your hands in the dough<\/p>\n

Here’s another expression that employs food but has little to do with it.<\/p>\n

Children often use this phrase to rat each other out, like saying, “I saw you with your hands in the cookie jar!” But it can be used in adult situations, too.<\/p>\n

For example, if you catch someone cheating on a test, on a partner or even stealing something that’s not theirs, you bet they have their manos en la masa<\/em>!<\/p>\n

26. Despu\u00e9s de comer, ni un sobre que leer <\/em>\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 There’s nothing to do after eating but rest<\/h2>\n

Literally: <\/b>After eating, not a single envelope is left to read<\/p>\n

It’s difficult to translate this expression, but it basically means there’s not much left to do after eating than to rest.<\/p>\n

This speaks volumes to the importance of rest (or, taking a siesta) after lunch or midday in Spanish-speaking culture.<\/p>\n

This saying can be employed 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 “wind down” for a nap.<\/p>\n

27. Hacer un sinpa <\/em> \u2014 Dine and dash<\/h2>\n

Literally:<\/strong> To do a no-pay<\/p>\n

In the Spanish-speaking world, joking about dining and dashing can be offensive and rude.<\/p>\n

I once remember an American friend telling me he used this saying to make a joke after finishing dinner with some Spanish-speaking friends.<\/p>\n

Long story short, no one laughed and awkward grins shot up around the table. They thought he was serious because he was being ironic.<\/p>\n

If you’re with close friends, this can be a joke…but know your crowd well.<\/p>\n

Where to Find Authentic Spanish Sayings<\/h2>\n

Check out these resources to get your fill of awesome Spanish sayings:<\/p>\n