Proverbs in Spanish (Dichos)

[Marianopolita]

Feo pa' la foto is - I think - a Dominican expression. Things are looking bad.

I agree ‘ta feo pa’ la foto is very DR. It refers to when a person is in a difficult situation.


As well, in DR and in the Spanish-speaking world you hear todavía estamos en pañales which refers to when a process is new to someone or in politics when something is new to the country.

You hear it a lot when a new process is in the works and not fully launched yet. Testing the waters and baby steps.


-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

No hay mal que por bien no venga....Every cloud has a silver lining....

This is a universal proverb that can apply to many scenarios. I refer to it a lot and it gives me inspiration to find the positive aspect even in a difficult situation.


-MP

 

[Fulano2]

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
That seems to be a universal expression.
“A cheval donné on ne regarde pas les dents”.
“Never look a gift horse in the mouth”
Same in Dutch.

 

[Marlon Rojas]

Cuando el rio suena es porque agua trae.
Culebra no se amarra en lazo.
No hay mal que por bien no venga.
El dia mas claro llueve.
nos llevo quien nos trajo.
Tan buen pelo y tan mala cabeza.
Es que esta en la edad del pavo.
si como caminas cocinas guardame el concon.
No fio hoy manana si.
Un amigo es un peso en el bolsillo.

 

[Marianopolita]

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
That seems to be a universal expression.
“A cheval donné on ne regarde pas les dents”.
“Never look a gift horse in the mouth”
Same in Dutch.

Yes, it is a very universal expression in Spanish. Thanks for the French equivalent.

 

[Fulano2]

Thanks. I meant universal in the sense of in many languages.

 

[Marianopolita]

Cuando el rio suena es porque agua trae.
Culebra no se amarra en lazo.
No hay mal que por bien no venga. 🔖
El dia mas claro llueve.
nos llevo quien nos trajo.
Tan buen pelo y tan mala cabeza. 📌
Es que esta en la edad del pavo.
si como caminas cocinas guardame el concon. 📍
No fio hoy manana si.
Un amigo es un peso en el bolsillo.

Nice list Many on your list are quite local.


🔖 Already posted. See #22
📌 I have never heard that one. I like it.
📍 There is an equivalent to that one with the same meaning I believe. I will verify.

 

[Marianopolita]

Es mejor estar solo que mal acompañado 💡


I used to hear that one a lot from the older crowd.



Es un buen consejo...



-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

Here is one of my favourites:

Zapatero a tus zapatos .

A subtle way to say mind your own business or be concerned with your own issues.


-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

Para gustos se hicieron los colores.

This is a common expression in the Spanish-speaking world. Also, it is very true. It means there is something for everyone. All tastes.


-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

With all that is going in the world right now I am hearing a lot dichos from people which are all reflective of our trying times. I have heard people say:


El tiempo lo cura todo

En las malas se conocen a los amigos

No hay dos sin tres



-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

I just found this link. Proverbs that teach you life lessons. I went through the list. Compare how many were named in this thread. A few of them.

10 Bizarre Spanish Proverbs That Will Teach You Some New Life Lessons - Cultura Colectiva

For those of us who can speak English and Spanish, we know how hard translating certain phrases from one language to the other can be. These brain-fart

culturacolectiva.com

 

[Marianopolita]

I heard this proverb today and it was a good reminder. So often we forget or do it unintentionally. Always diversify. Give yourself options because you will have more choices in an unforeseen circumstance or in the long run.

No pongas todos los huevos en la misma canasta.

 

[Marlon Rojas]

Mala vuelta lleva el palo- bad lap carries the stick

 

[Marianopolita]

Mala vuelta lleva el palo- bad lap carries the stick

How would you use the English equivalent or meaning in a sentence?

 

[Marlon Rojas]

Mala vuelta lleva el palo - bad lap carries the stick Many use depending the situation for example
- when your son tells you he wants to quit school or your daughter starts using make up and pretending to be sexy at very young age in other words thing are not looking good.

 

[Marianopolita]

Mala vuelta lleva el palo - bad lap carries the stick Many use depending the situation for example
- when your son tells you he wants to quit school or your daughter starts using make up and pretending to be sexy at very young age in other words thing are not looking good.

Thanks. The expression is new to me and the English equivalent ‘bad lap carries the stick‘. I definitely have never that.