"Monkey See, Monkey Do"

[samanasuenos]

Would anyone please take a stab at translating this, into any Spanish from any country, please"

"MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO."

I know enough to know that the equivalent "dicho" has no monkeys in it, but I can't recall the equivalent.

If this has been discussed already, please be so kind as to refer me to said thread.

Thank you so much,
Suenos

 

[Hillbilly]

this early, i am drawing a blank. However, the use of "mono" does indicate copy cating.
Maybe after my coffee?????????????

HB

 

[Musicqueen]

In my country they would say:'Sos (eres) un copión'...(copycat)

But for the life of me, I have no idea what that could translate to...Hmmmm, let me think a bit more...

MQ

 

[juancarlos]

Well, in Cuba we used to say: mono ve, mono hace, when someone copied somebody else's actions, fashions or whatever. However, it was mostly applied to people who followed bad examples. Those who liked to imitate others' bad habits.

 

[Marianopolita]

Sam-

Most times there's an equivalent (not a translation) of English expressions in Spanish. However, you will also find that sometimes there is no equivalent or parallel at all. It's always best to learn them in each language respectively either in English or Spanish and learn what they mean and how they are used in context.

Regarding your question my first reaction was "eres un copión"- Same as MQ which conveys the idea of "copying" but you are looking for an idiom.

There may be other options out there. Let's see if others post or have suggestions.

-LDG.

Edited to add: I found it on this site Dichos

Is that the one you were thinking of Sam?

 

[samanasuenos]

Yes. Thank you Lesley D.

That is it!

A DONDE VA LA GENTE, VA VICENTE. (Wherever the people go, Vincent goes.) Monkey see, monkey do.

Thank you so much for your time and a link to a good website.

Sam

 

[juancarlos]

That's right, I've also heard and used that one too.

 

[Hillbilly]

After waking up this morning I remembered this:
"El que se viste de mono, mono se queda"

HB

 

[Celt202]

A DONDE VA LA GENTE, VA VICENTE. (Wherever the people go, Vincent goes.) Monkey see, monkey do.

That's brilliant! :glasses:

 

[Marianopolita]

Grammar issue-

HB-

The saying is:

El que SE viste de mono, mono se queda.

Without the pronoun "se" the meaning is completely different. In Spanish vestir and vestirse don't have the same meaning.


-LDG.

After waking up this morning I remembered this:
"El que viste de mono, mono se queda"

HB

 

[Mirador]

After waking up this morning I remembered this:
"El que se viste de mono, mono se queda"

HB

The actual saying goes like this...

"La mona, aunque se vista de seda, mona se queda"

 

[Celt202]

The actual saying goes like this...

"La mona, aunque se vista de seda, mona se queda"

"You can dress him up but you can't take him anywhere."

I've known a few along the way.

 

[samanasuenos]

JAJAJA. Thank you guys! I can think of some mean applications for this latest "dicho" but I am going to behave. For now.


Thank you for making this a great little thread.

Any more monkey sayings, in Spanish?-- Sam

 

[Chirimoya]

Well, there's 'el ultimo mono' - the last monkey - used to refer to the youngest member of the family, especially when they have spoken out of turn.

 

[Marianopolita]

Sam-

Here's one:

"meterle a uno los monos en el cuerpo"- to frighten someone, to scare someone.


-LDG.

 

[M.A.R.]

what about "Tu si ere mona" I think they mean you're so silly.?? anyone know?

 

[Mirador]

M?s peligroso que mono con navaja

 

[samanasuenos]

Thank you Mirador. UF! That is one ugly mono!

 

[Stodgord]

El mono, cuando no lo hace a la entrada lo hace a la salida.

 

[samanasuenos]

"El mono, cuando no lo hace a la entrada lo hace a la salida."

YIKES! Does that mean what I think it means?