How are you doing with the dichos in DR?

[guandulera]

:cheeky:A lot of Dominicans love the use of phrases and saying in our conversation.
I don?t know if these particular ones are used just by Dominicans with a specific social status (low, middle or high class). All I know is that I have heard them in all three. I?m wondering if you might have an experience with some one that used them all the time like I have. Do you use any?
:bunnyichos, (sayings)
I?m not sure how to translate them though.
Cuando el r?o suena es porque agua trae??????.There most be some truth in it
El coraz?n de la auyama solo lo conoce el cuchillo??Only one knows how hard, difficult or payinful is his/her situation.
Una mujer no se lo tiene que agarrar para orinar???..A woman doesn?t have to wait to do what needs to be done???.A woman with determination can do anything.

 

[bachata]

we call those phases " refranes " I know hundres of them, That is the way olders people use to speak.

 

[John Evans]

what would be the equivalent of "theres many a tune played on an old fiddle"

 

[Chirimoya]

Previous thread on dichos:
http://www.dr1.com/forums/spanish-101/46959-dominican-sayings.html

Note that many sayings quoted are common across the Spanish-speaking world - not just Dominican.

 

[Hillbilly]

I am glad "Bachata" mentioned 'old people' , since a recent experience in one of my classes seems to indicate that the youth are not educated into the use of "refranes".

One of the very first books on "linguistics" was done by Juan de Nebrija (I think), and it is basically a dialog that takes place in the court of the King of Naples whereby a Spanish traveler explains the use of "Spanish" through a whole series of "refranes" ...

There are "clean" sayings, and quite vulgar ones...some are funny...."Por mucho que te quiero culito, besarte no puedo!" to tell someone NO....

HB

 

[guandulera]

Well

I agree that old people used to use them more for whatever the reason. Now I have to say that I grew up around people using them all the time. I had not used one in a long time until last week. I found myself telling to a co-worker "No le dejaste nada a las cucarachas hoy" I could not stop laughing afterward...He didn't have a clue of what I was saying. I explained to him then he was laughing every time we saw each other during the day?..and he said ?couldn?t you just said that I looked good?

Any ways I think that one should not use them at all time. However, every now and then they come in handy. :bunny:

 

[Norma Rosa]

Here is another thread
Proverbs (refranes) used in the DR.

 

[mariel]

Could I say that "aqu? el que no corre, vuela" = "you snooze, you lose"?

 

[Marianopolita]

Refranes- not only used by 'older folk'

Do you think the usage of refranes is more common among the older generation? I agree to a certain extent. While I completely understand the perspective of one poster who said refranes are usually associated with the older folk and the way they speak, there are many speakers who are not in the so-called older group who have a good command, understanding and know very well when to use them to get their point across.

Dichos or refranes are used by a variety speakers of a language. People who are well-read and/or write often tend to use and understand the meaning of sayings without requiring an explanation. IMO, it's also a sign of mastery of a language whether it's your native tongue or not. To be able to use refranes in the correct context and understand them is a sign of good command.

Regarding Spanish, it's a language of refranes. Many are universal, some are region specific, some have many variations with the same meaning and are used in formal and colloquial speech or de manera jocosa o sagaz. Is it worth it to learn them? Sure. It's just another tool in the language tool box that you can use. Specifically you will hear them used in everyday speech, in songs since the lyrics tell a story, in journalism and literature which maybe characteristic of the writer's style. Therefore they are part of a vital form of expression in the language.

Personally, I use them mostly to emphasize a point or sometimes to make myself clear. At times, the usage of a 'refr?n' adds humour to a conversation which is part of my characteristic of speech. Some refranes just like all parts of speech in language have become less common or popular overtime and others are more traditional in nature which get passed down from generation to generation especially if you live with those so-called 'older folk'.

Could I say that "aqu? el que no corre, vuela" = "you snooze, you lose"?

mariel,

It's interesting that you ask about this expression. When I read your post it made me think of the lyrics immediately of the late Celia Cruz' song Pa' la cola. I think your English equivalent is good based on the lyrics. I don't recall hearing this expression used in daily speech but definitely in a song as I mentioned above. You can decipher if your English equivalent is accurate by reading a few verses:

El que no corre vuela
el listo est? de moda
aquel que te quita y no te da
lo mandamos pa'la cola
(2X)

Dices que se fue con otra
eso s? que no est? en na'
con la misma medicina
t? lo tienes que curar
un clavo saca otro clavo
es la forma de olvidar
hay que pasarle la cuenta
al que tiene que pagar

El que no corre vuela
el listo est? de moda
aquel que te quita y no te da
lo mandamos pa'la cola
(2X)

BTW- to those who like Cuban salsa this is a tremendous song. I challenge you to remain seated.

_________________


-LDG.

 

[mariel]

I actually heard it on another song, Mal bicho by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs:

Como dijo mi abuela,
aqu? el que no corre, vuela.

I don't think that expression, refr?n or dicho is used on daily speech either, that's why it caught my attention.

mariel,

It's interesting that you ask about this expression. When I read your post it made me think of the lyrics immediately of the late Celia Cruz' song Pa' la cola. I think your English equivalent is good based on the lyrics. I don't recall hearing this expression used in daily speech but definitely in a song as I mentioned above. You can decipher if your English equivalent is accurate by reading a few verses:
<snip>

 

[cuas]

The auditor of the company I was working for in SD used to say "No quieras correr mas que la pelota"
My famous frase is "El que lleva trae" and I use it all the time. If somebody tell you something about a person and you make a comment that person will go back and say what you said and sometimes more.

"Te espero en la bajaita" It just happened with my sister. Husband told her I will never pay child support. He owes like 10 years. Now he cannot find any job under the table and now wants my syster to drop it. Very funny.

"Donde Dios no puso no puede haber". Do not except somebody to do anything they are capable of. If you follow this frase you will avoid many many headaches and frustrations.

 

[Norma Rosa]

"Donde Dios no puso no puede haber". Do not except somebody to do anything they are capable of. If you follow this frase you will avoid many many headaches and frustrations.

It refers to the fact that certain things (particularly in nature) are just the way they are (as God created them) and we will never change them no matter how hard we try. It goes hand in hand with the saying:
?rbol que nace torcido nunca sus ramas endereza.

(We, Dominican women, have forever tried to change our hair type (using straighteners) to no avail. (LOL)

The saying "donde Dios no puso no puede haber" has its opposite:
Donde Dios puso simpre habr?.

 

[Marianopolita]

Some of my typical 'dichos'-

Over the weekend I caught myself using a few 'dichos/ refranes' and they reminded me of this thread. It also confirmed my previous post that age really is not a factor as much as one would think with refranes. I remain firm that it's exposure to the language, those who raised you, education and reading that heavily influence your knowledge, understanding and usage of these wise 'old' sayings. As well, depending on who you are speaking to all of sudden 'you' may sound like that wise old person when you use a saying, at least that how I feel at times.

The three I used recently and use on a regular basis are:

1/ El que juega con candela se quema- I think it's self explanatory. No need to explain. Although some people no matter how much you tell them they still do not listen until they pay the price then it's 'oh, that's what you meant'.

2/ Escobita nueva barre bien- As well, I think this saying speaks for itself. Don't praise anything too soon, wait and see how it goes is the idea. Everything is great at the beginning and then the problems begin.

3/ Cuando las barbas de tu vecino veas pelar, pon las tuyas a remojar- This one I will admit is a very old saying but I use it all the time and IMO, it's not that common. It conveys the idea of 'learn from other people's mistakes'. Not only do I get my point across when I use it but also raise a few eyebrows due to it's lack of popularity but much to the point.



-LDG.

 

[PICHARDO]

:cheeky:A lot of Dominicans love the use of phrases and saying in our conversation.
I don’t know if these particular ones are used just by Dominicans with a specific social status (low, middle or high class). All I know is that I have heard them in all three. I’m wondering if you might have an experience with some one that used them all the time like I have. Do you use any?
:bunnyichos, (sayings)
I’m not sure how to translate them though.
Cuando el r?o suena es porque agua trae……………….There most be some truth in it
El coraz?n de la auyama solo lo conoce el cuchillo……Only one knows how hard, difficult or payinful is his/her situation.
Una mujer no se lo tiene que agarrar para orinar………..A woman doesn’t have to wait to do what needs to be done……….A woman with determination can do anything.

Cuando el r?o suena es porque agua "lleva"...

 

[Marianopolita]

Lo barato sale caro-

The title of one of the articles in El Nuevo Herald?s Opinion section today is Lo barato sale caro. This is a perfect example of a common universal saying in Spanish (and its English equivalent) and one which I use often. It can be used in many facets and contexts once the situation being described is clear, the saying is easily understood. As well, figurative usage is possible to decipher once you read the context of the story, article, essay etc.

However, it?s mostly used to refer to trying to save money, cut corners etc. and in the end it turns out to be more costly dollar wise and in some cases even time wise. The article was referring to Wal-mart and the exploitation of its employees. Many ask how did Wal-mart become such a wealthy and profitable organization in a short period of time? The answer is at the cost of its workers. However, Wal-mart has had so many court cases against them for worker abuse etc. and has had to pay out millions of dollars in compensation and fines for employing indocumentados.

The columnist?s point of view is she will not shop at Wal-mart in support of the employees because they are not treated well. Why continue to enrich an organization like Wal-mart if they have such intolerable policies and practices when there are other stores that sell their products at bargain prices? Maybe one has to pay seventy-five cents more but you won?t go broke with that difference for a good cause. The columnist Mercedes Soler states: 'Hay muchas tiendas de descuentos que, si bien no alcanzan las rebajas de Wal-Mart se acercan a ellas, y demuestran m?s humanidad hacia sus empleados. Pagar 75 centavos m?s por un par de calcetines no nos llevar? a la bancarrota. Ahorrarlos no nos har? ricos?.Lo que Wal-Mart oferta por lo barato, les sale muy caro a sus empleados'.

However, the flip side of that is whatever Wal-mart saves they will have to payout in fines from their bottom line if they keep having to fight court cases. Therefore, indeed lo barato sale caro. It does not (always) pay to be cheap.



-LDG.

 

[Hipocrito Mejia]

Con paciencia y calma, se subio un burro en una palma.

 

[Norma Rosa]

Grano a grano, se llena la gallina el buche.

 

[Chip]

- Como estas?
- Entre Luca y Juan Mejia.

 

[Ezequiel]

I like "Cuando la rana heche pelo y el rato cabello"

 

[Chip]

I like "Cuando la rana heche pelo y el rato cabello"

...cuando Colon baje el dedo.