Dichos, refranes y expresiones

[Marianopolita]

Tapando el sol con un dedo - You can't see the wood for the trees?

In my experience, this expression is used a lot in the DR and quite a bit in Caribbean Spanish.


Journalists like to use the expression to get their point across especially in Listín Diario.

In my experience, it means a person can't see the bigger picture with regards to an issue.

What is more common in English on this side of the pond when the expression is used is: You can't see the forest for the trees.



-MP.

 

[Chirimoya]

"You can't see the wood for the trees" is standard in British English. There's a similar US/GB divide with other expressions like "beating a dead horse" vs. "flogging a dead horse".

Another one:

"El último Coca Cola en el desierto" is like "the best thing since sliced bread" or "God's gift".

 

[Marianopolita]

"You can't see the wood for the trees" is standard in British English. There's a similar US/GB divide with other expressions like "beating a dead horse" vs. "flogging a dead horse".

Another one:

"El último Coca Cola en el desierto" is like "the best thing since sliced bread" or "God's gift".

Yes, with regards to the US/GB variations I am right in the middle. In writing I have a mix of traditional spelling some more North American versions but not completely non standard like nite. I prefer the North American version of English speaking and writing.

For God’s gift how about simply un regalo de Dios? I hear that used often.


-MP.

 

[Chirimoya]

The last Coca Cola expression is like God's gift in the negative sense "He thinks he's God's gift to women."

 

[Marianopolita]

The last Coca Cola expression is like God's gift in the negative sense "He thinks he's God's gift to women."

You see it’s all about context. I have never heard that expression in Spanish until now.

No es un decir muy común en mi mundo.


-MP.

 

[bronzeallspice]

Yes, how can we forget Si Dios quiere. I think it is one of the most common sayings in Spanish and one that you hear from a young age. It is one that is used from generation to generation.

Tus abuelos, tu papás sobre todo te lo dicen.

¿Qué opinas tú?.... En la RD y en el Caribe es muy común oír el dicho Si Dios quiere y no significa que la person sea creyente simplemente es una manera de decir hasta cierto punto no tengo control sobre lo que va a pasar (más o menos).

Por ej, si preguntas a tu mamá si va a visitarte la semana que viene (vives lejos) y te contesta- Sí, mi hija si Dios quiere. En mi opinión, esa respuesta es muy cultural.


-MP.

Exactamente. No significa que la persona sea religiosa para decir si Dios quiere.

 

[Marianopolita]

Exactamente. No significa que la persona sea religiosa para decir si Dios quiere.

Exacto, también el uso de ojalá....es diferente.


One more for the thread that is common in both languages is:


Llamar al pan pan y al vino vino. Especially in certain situations there is no point andando con rodeos .


-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

Another favourite of mine but I don’t use it often (hardly ever). I love the subtleness of it:


Zapatero a tus zapatos. If used correctly you really don’t need to say much after that.


-MP.

 

[Chirimoya]

Physician, heal thyself?

 

[Marianopolita]

Physician, heal thyself?

Is that what you feel when you read that phrase?


I will explain in Spanish since it is a Spanish saying:

En pocas palabras, significa no critiques el trabajo de otra persona sobre todo si no tienes conocimiento del oficio. Hay muchas personas que critican pero no tienen conocimiento.

Ocúpate de lo tuyo por lo tanto, Zapatero a tus zapatos.


-MP.

 

[Chirimoya]

Is that what you feel when you read that phrase?


I will explain in Spanish since it is a Spanish saying:

En pocas palabras, significa no critiques el trabajo de otra persona sobre todo si no tienes conocimiento del oficio. Hay muchas personas que critican pero no tienen conocimiento.

Ocúpate de lo tuyo por lo tanto, Zapatero a tus zapatos.


-MP.

I'd never heard it before so I was guessing. Based on your explanation I realise it's not the same as "physician, heal thyself" - it's more like "stick to what you know."

 

[Marianopolita]

I'd never heard it before so I was guessing. Based on your explanation I realise it's not the same as "physician, heal thyself" - it's more like "stick to what you know."

That’s correct and the last line ocúpate de lo tuyo is even more blunt which means basically, mind your own business .


-MP.

 

[mofongoloco]

there are some I have heard and say, but don't really know how to spell.

hijole. juepa/huepa.

 

[dv8]

something i read in hoy today: atrapan 47 personas con “las manos en la masa” durante operativo mixto.
"caught with the hand in the cookie jar" sounds like a very fitting equivalent.

 

[Lucifer]

Another one:

"El último Coca Cola en el desierto" is like "the best thing since sliced bread" or "God's gift".

At the risk of receiving a warning, I'd like to add an oldie but goodie, similar to la útima Coca Cola en el desierto:

Él cree que m_a (urinates) Pepsi Cola y ca_a (defecates) bizcochito.

The American equivalent would refer to his feces not emanating a foul odor.

 

[Marianopolita]

something i read in hoy today: atrapan 47 personas con “las manos en la masa” durante operativo mixto.
"caught with the hand in the cookie jar" sounds like a very fitting equivalent.

Is that your first time hearing that expression?


It is very common in the Spanish-speaking world and in English too.

There are a few variations though.


For example,


Agarrar, pillar and even coger* a alguien con las manos en la masa.

I prefer and always say agarrar a alguien con las manos en la masa.


It is the English equivalent of to get caught red-handed.


-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

there are some I have heard and say, but don't really know how to spell.

hijole. juepa/huepa.

You must be in the company of a lot of Mexicans.



-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

Exactamente. No significa que la persona sea religiosa para decir si Dios quiere.

Para nada. Hasta cierto punto pienso que la gente lo dice sin pensar dos veces.



-MP.

 

[bachata]

La carne no esta en el garabato por falta de gato!

Who can tell about this?

JJ

 

[Lucifer]

La carne no esta en el garabato por falta de gato!

Who can tell about this?

JJ

Don't know what it means, and I haven't used the word garabato in a long, long time.

By the way, Garabato Sackey was a legendary Dominican baseball/softball player.