Spanish Proverbs
Spanish Proverbs
I was thinking about how charming we English speakers sound when we first become a little competent in speaking other languages. When we try to stretch ourselves with perhaps more sophisticated phrases the result can be highly amusing.
On my first visit to Spain I was beginning to feel confident enough to try out a few english idioms by literally translating them into Spanish. Many people I spoke to found this hilarious... one particularly friendly Spaniard told me that my Spanish was very good but I sounded like a Spanish newsreader impersonating an Englishman speaking in Spanish! I took this as a complement that my accent was good. ;o)
On the other side of the coin I know what this chap meant. Having met dozens of Spanish people in England, I have been truly charmed by many phrases and expressions translated literally from Spanish to English... which have made no sense at all!
I believe it can be a huge aid to Spanish language learning to listen to Spanish people who are able to communicate in English but are not yet "polished": it can provide a real insight into Spanish grammar and word order.
With this in mind, I have a few examples of Spanish proverbs and their English meanings. Alongside these, I have provided some literal translations from Spanish to English to outline how an inexperienced Spanish-English speaker might figure these phrases out.
I was thinking about how charming we English speakers sound when we first become a little competent in speaking other languages. When we try to stretch ourselves with perhaps more sophisticated phrases the result can be highly amusing.
On my first visit to Spain I was beginning to feel confident enough to try out a few english idioms by literally translating them into Spanish. Many people I spoke to found this hilarious... one particularly friendly Spaniard told me that my Spanish was very good but I sounded like a Spanish newsreader impersonating an Englishman speaking in Spanish! I took this as a complement that my accent was good. ;o)
On the other side of the coin I know what this chap meant. Having met dozens of Spanish people in England, I have been truly charmed by many phrases and expressions translated literally from Spanish to English... which have made no sense at all!
I believe it can be a huge aid to Spanish language learning to listen to Spanish people who are able to communicate in English but are not yet "polished": it can provide a real insight into Spanish grammar and word order.
With this in mind, I have a few examples of Spanish proverbs and their English meanings. Alongside these, I have provided some literal translations from Spanish to English to outline how an inexperienced Spanish-English speaker might figure these phrases out.
A beber y a tragar, que el mundo se va a acabar.
To drink and to swallow, that the world is going to end (Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die)
To drink and to swallow, that the world is going to end (Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die)
A buen hambre, no hay mal pan
To good hunger, there is no bad bread (Beggars can't be choosers)
To good hunger, there is no bad bread (Beggars can't be choosers)
A diario una manzana es cosa sana.
Daily an apple is a healthy thing (An apple a day keeps the doctor away)
Daily an apple is a healthy thing (An apple a day keeps the doctor away)
A donde el corazon se inclina, el pie camina.
To where the heart is inclined, the foot walks (Home is where the heart is)
To where the heart is inclined, the foot walks (Home is where the heart is)
A los tontos no les dura el dinero.
To the stupid it doesn't last for them the money (A fool and his money are soon parted)
To the stupid it doesn't last for them the money (A fool and his money are soon parted)
A quien cuida la peseta nunca le falta un duro.
Whoever cares for the peseta will never be without five pesetas (Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves)
Whoever cares for the peseta will never be without five pesetas (Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves)
A todos les llega su momento de gloria.
To everyone arrives their moment of glory (Every dog has its day)
To everyone arrives their moment of glory (Every dog has its day)
Algo es algo; menos es nada.
Something is something; less is nothing (Half a loaf is better than none)
Something is something; less is nothing (Half a loaf is better than none)
Borra con el codo lo que escribe con la mano.
It erases with the elbow the thing that writes with the hand (The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing)
It erases with the elbow the thing that writes with the hand (The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing)
Como que dos y dos son cuatro.
As that two and two they are four (As sure as eggs are eggs)
As that two and two they are four (As sure as eggs are eggs)
Do you get the idea? (More to follow)