20 Most Famous Spanish Proverbs

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Hello and welcome to today’s lesson on 20 Most Famous Spanish Proverbs!

Using Spanish proverbs in your conversations is a great way to sound more like a native speaker. Along with slang, it’s a way to talk naturally. Without even noticing, we often use these wise sayings in our daily conversations. They give honest advice, teach us something, or share thoughts about different situations.


In this blog post, we’ll explore important proverbial phrases that will enhance your vocabulary. The next time you hear a phrase that used to sound unfamiliar, it will now make perfect sense to you!

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Word For ‘Proverb’ In Spanish

A proverb is a brief phrase that conveys moral or ethical lessons. Proverbs are commonly used to provide life advice or teachings.

In Spanish, the word for proverb is ‘Proverbio.’ This term originates from the Latin word ‘proverbium,’ which means ‘to go forward.’ Additionally, you can use another Spanish word interchangeably to refer to these phrases: ‘Refrán,’ which translates to ‘Saying.’

Spanish Proverbs That Hold Special Meanings

Enhance your wisdom while expanding your Spanish vocabulary. Discover the significance of the most insightful and enduring Spanish proverbs that have been passed down through many generations.

Here are 20 famous Spanish proverbs:

  1. “A palabras necias, oídos sordos.”
    • Translation: “To foolish words, deaf ears.”
    • Meaning: It’s best to ignore or not pay attention to meaningless or foolish talk.
  2. “A barriga llena, corazón contento.”
  3. Translation: “With a full stomach, the heart is content.”
  4. Meaning: When you have enough to eat, you feel happy and satisfied.
  5. “Año nuevo, vida nueva.”
  6. Translation: “New year, new life.”
  7. Meaning: The new year is an opportunity for a fresh start and positive changes.
  8. “El hábito no hace al monje.”
  9. Translation: “The habit does not make the monk.”
  10. Meaning: One’s appearance or clothing doesn’t determine their true character or qualities.
  11. “El amor todo lo puede.”
  12. Translation: “Love can do everything.”
  13. Meaning: Love is a powerful force that can overcome obstacles and challenges.
  14. “Al mal tiempo, buena cara.”
  15. Translation: “In bad weather, put on a good face.”
  16. Meaning: In difficult situations, maintain a positive attitude and outlook.
  17. “Quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar.”
  18. Translation: “Those who truly care for you will make you cry.”
  19. Meaning: Sometimes, people who care deeply about you might do things that cause you pain for your own benefit or growth.
  20. “El amor es ciego, pero los vecinos no.”
  21. Translation: “Love is blind, but the neighbors aren’t.”
  22. Meaning: Love can blind you to flaws or imperfections in someone, but others can still see them.
  23. “Donde hay amor, hay dolor.”
  24. Translation: “Where there is love, there is pain.”
  25. Meaning: Love can bring happiness but can also come with challenges and difficulties.
  26. “Cuando la pobreza entra por la puerta, el amor salta por la ventana.”
  27. Translation: “When poverty enters the door, love jumps out of the window.”
  28. Meaning: Financial difficulties can strain relationships and lead to conflicts.
  29. “Amor y celos, hermanos gemelos.”
  30. Translation: “Love and jealousy, twin siblings.”
  31. Meaning: Love and jealousy often go hand in hand in relationships.
  32. “Zapatero, a tus zapatos.”
  33. Translation: “Shoemaker, stick to your shoes.” Meaning: It’s an advice to stick to what you know and not interfere in matters outside of your expertise.
  34. “Perro que ladra no muerde.” Translation: “A barking dog doesn’t bite.” Meaning: Someone who makes a lot of noise may not necessarily be dangerous.
  35. “No hay rosas sin espinas.” Translation: “There are no roses without thorns.” Meaning: In life, even good things come with challenges or difficulties.
  36. “Más vale prevenir que lamentar.” Translation: “It’s better to prevent than to regret.” Meaning: It’s wiser to take precautions to avoid problems rather than dealing with them later.
  37. “Lo hecho, hecho está.” Translation: “What’s done is done.” Meaning: Once something is done, it cannot be changed, so it’s best to accept it and move forward.
  38. “Luchar a capa y espada.” Translation: “Fight tooth and nail.” Meaning: To fight with great determination and effort.
  39. “En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.” Translation: “In the blacksmith’s house, wooden knives.” Meaning: Sometimes people who are skilled at something neglect that skill in their personal lives.
  40. “El hábito no hace al monje.” Translation: “The habit does not make the monk.” Meaning: External appearance or clothing doesn’t define a person’s true nature.
  41. “El que no oye consejo no llega a viejo.” Translation: “He who doesn’t listen to advice doesn’t reach old age.” Meaning: Not listening to advice or wisdom can lead to negative consequences in the long run.

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Conclusion

Incorporating these timeless Spanish proverbs into your conversations not only enriches your language skills but also imparts age-old wisdom. Let these phrases be your guide to expressing yourself with authenticity and depth in Spanish.

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