Sometimes, Spanish and English phrases share the same meaning but sound completely different when translated word for word. It’s interesting how each language uses its own unique images and expressions to convey similar ideas. In this post, we’ll explore some Spanish sayings that, if taken literally, might leave you puzzled — yet their English equivalents make perfect sense. Let’s take a look at these fun and vivid expressions!
Here are 10 Spanish sayings with English equivalents that use entirely different words:
| # | DICHO EN ESPAÑOL | LITERAL TRANSLATION | ENGLISH EQUIVALENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A buen hambre no hay pan duro. | To good hunger, there is no hard bread. | Beggars can’t be choosers. |
| 2 | A mal tiempo, buena cara. | To bad weather, good face. | When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. |
| 3 | Cuando el río suena, aguas trae. | When the river sounds, it brings waters. | Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. |
| 4 | Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres. | Tell me with whom you walk and I’ll tell you who you are. | You are known by the company you keep. |
| 5 | El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta. | He who embraces much, squeezes little. | Jack of all trades, master of none. |
| 6 | En boca cerrada no entran moscas. | In a closed mouth, flies don’t enter. | Silence is golden. |
| 7 | Más vale prevenir que curar. | It’s worth more to prevent than to cure. | Better safe than sorry. |
| 8 | No hay mal que por bien no venga. | There is no bad from which good doesn’t come. | Every cloud has a silver lining. |
| 9 | Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente. | Eyes that don’t see, heart that doesn’t feel. | Out of sight, out of mind. |
| 10 | Sobre gustos no hay nada escrito. | About tastes, nothing is written. | Different strokes for different folks. |
I’ll send you a document via Google Docs with exercises to help you become an expert in Spanish sayings!
