Speaking Phrases Boricua: A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico by Jared Romey

Créditos editorialesReimpresión 2010Edición, 2006

Prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de esta obra por cualquier medio técnico, mecánico o electrónico sin previo permiso escrito por parte de Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas, Inc. © Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas, Inc.© Jared Romey

ISBN 1-933485-07-8

Producido en Puerto RicoImpreso en Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas • Printed in Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas

Editor: Andrés Palomares - [email protected] de arte y diseño: Eva Gotay Pastrana - [email protected]:Stephani NavarroJoan RiveraNeida AponteXavier Molina

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Derechos de AutorLa Ley de Derechos de Autor (Título 17, Código de los Estados Unidos) controla el fotocopiar u otras formas de reproducción de material con Derechos de Autor.Sección 107: Limitaciones en el derecho exclusivo: Uso justo - punto 4 - Se señala que de haber un efecto sobre el mercado potencial o el valor del trabajo con derechos de autor se estará violentando la ley.Sección 108: Limitaciones en el derecho exclusivo: Reproducción por las bibliotecas y archivos - inciso G: El derecho de reproducción y distribución se extiende a la reproducción o distribución aislada y sin relación a una sola copia del mismo material en ocasiones separadas, pero no se extiende a los casos donde la biblioteca o los archivos, o su empleado reproduce o distribuye sistemáticamente copias solas o múltiples.

v

The process of my learning Spanish started in the sixth grade and has continued ever since. I’d like to thank Ms. Gray, Charlezetta, Ms. McPherson, my professor at St. Mary’s, Patricia, the staffs at the University of South Carolina and El Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Guadalajara and Bernardo for their perseverance.

Mi proceso de aprender el español empezó en sexto grado y ha continuado desde ese momento. Me gustaría agradecer a Srta. Gray, Charlezetta, Srta McPherson, mi profesor en St. Mary’s, Patricia, las facultades de la Universidad de South Carolina y del Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey en Guadalajara y Bernardo por su perseverancia.

vii

Table of Contents

Introduction/Introducción ............................................. ixAcknowledgements/Reconocimientos ......................xviii

How to Use this Guide/Cómo Usar Esta Guía ............... 1Wisdom Boricua/Sabiduría Boricua Puerto Rican to English ..................................... 5 Puertorriqueño a Español ............................... 125

Index/Índice English Sayings with Spanish Equivalent/Refranes en inglés con su equivalente en español ......................... 133 Key Words/Palabras Claves ........................... 153

Bibliography/Bibliografía .......................................... 211

ix

Introduction

While you may see this book as one on language, to me it is also about travel…not travel in the traditional travel-guide sense of who, what, when, where, or how. This book touches on the WHY.

You may wonder how a book about common sayings can be related to the WHY of travel. In preparing this guide I’ve learned about the history of Puerto Rico, the problems facing Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rican culture, the language and I’ve also learned to see my own culture differently.

In my experience, language opens the mind to new points of view, teaches a person about culture (both their own and the “foreign” culture) and just, generally, creates new experiences for the traveler. These sayings have the same effect.

To further explain the WHY I have turned to the help of several people. You will see their words on the inside flaps of the cover. Given that I am a somewhat inexpressive person (I’ve even occasionally been accused of being cold!), I found that they explained in amazing clarity what I could not.

A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico x

One of my favorites is from Johan Huizinga, a Dutch historian who lived from 1872 to 1945.

“The things which can make life enjoyable remain the same. They are, now as before, reading, music, fine arts, travel, the enjoyment of nature, sports, fashion, social vanity (knightly orders, honorary office, gatherings) and the intoxication of the senses.”

This was written in 1921 and almost a century later is still a wonderfully applicable phrase. I can almost even forgive him for leaving out wine.

One of the things that most surprised me about Puerto Rico is the presence of regional differences in the language. For a country that is 100 by 35 miles I find it entertaining that with a 30 minute car ride you can find words with different meanings or sayings that “city folk” just don’t get. As I write this I realize that the same is probably true for most other places, but it just seems to be more noticeable here.

One day I had a friend come up to me and say “I think your definition of X word is wrong. It should say…”, referring to an entry in my first book, Speaking Boricua! Fortunately two other people were standing nearby and came over. What followed was a humorous debate among the three of them (all Puerto Ricans).

Speaking PHRASES Boricua! xi

Three people that grew up less than 60 miles from each other had differing opinions on the meaning of a word. For me this was an entertaining experience, highlighting the amorphous nature of language.

As an author perhaps my greatest pleasure is to hear people comment that my book made them laugh. In fact, the comments readers made referring to my first book pushed me to publish this one. I thank those people and look forward to hearing from them again.

I hope this helps you understand WHY.

August 2005San Juan

xiii

Introducción

Mientras quizás ves que este libro se trata de idiomas, para mí se trata también de viajar… no de viajar en el sentido tradicional de las guías de viajes que hablan de quién, qué, cuándo, dónde y cómo. Este libro se trata del PORQUÉ.

Seguramente te estás preguntando como un libro de refranes puede estar relacionado con el porqué viajar. Preparando esta guía he aprendido de la historia de Puerto Rico, los problemas que enfrentan los puertorriqueños, la cultura puertorriqueña, el idioma y también aprendí a ver mi propia cultura de una forma diferente.

En mi experiencia, el idioma abre la mente a nuevos puntos de vista, enseña a uno de cultura (la propia y la cultura “extranjera”) y generalmente crea nuevas experiencias para un viajero. Estos refranes tienen el mismo efecto.

Para explicar en más detalle el PORQUÉ he incluido los comentarios de varias personas. Verás sus palabras en las solapas de la portada y contraportada. Dado a que yo no soy una persona muy expresiva (hasta me han acusado

A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico xiv

de ser frío!), encontré que ellos explicaron con una claridad extraordinaria lo que yo no podía expresar.

Uno de mis favoritos es del Sr. Johan Huizinga, un historiador Holandés quien vivió del 1872 al 1945.

“Las cosas que pueden hacer la vida agradable se quedan iguales. Ellas son, ahora como antes, la lectura, música, bellas artes, viajar, el placer de la naturaleza, deporte, moda, vanidades sociales (órdenes caballerescas, oficinas honorarias, encuentros) y la intoxicación de los sentidos.”

Esto fue escrito en 1921 y casi un siglo después sigue siendo una frase completamente aplicable. Casi le puedo perdonar el error de no incluir vino.

Una de las cosas que más me sorprendió en Puerto Rico es la presencia de diferencias regionales en el idioma. Para un país de 100 por 35 millas encuentro divertido que con un viaje de 30 minutos en carro (auto) uno se puede encontrar palabras con sentidos diferentes o refranes que la gente de la ciudad no entiende. Mientras escribo esto me doy cuenta que seguramente lo mismo es cierto para otros lugares, pero parece más notable aquí.

Un día una amiga se acercó y me dijo “Creo que tu definición de X palabra está equivocada. Debe decir…” refiriéndose a una palabra en mi primer libro Speaking Boricua! Afortunadamente, dos otras personas estaban

Speaking PHRASES Boricua! xv

cerca y se involucraron en la conversación. Un debate gracioso siguió entre las tres (todas puertorriqueñas).

Tres personas que se criaron a menos de 60 millas de las otras tenían opiniones diferentes en referencia al sentido de una palabra. Para mí, esto fue una experiencia divertida que destacó el estado amorfo de los idiomas.

Como autor quizás mi mayor placer es escuchar comentarios de que mi libro hizo reir a la gente. De hecho, los comentarios de lectores del primer libro, me empujaron a publicar este. Les doy gracias a ellos y espero escuchar sus comentarios nuevamente.

Espero que esto te ayude a contestar el PORQUÉ.

Agosto 2005San Juan

xvii

Acknowledgments

Every book is a compilation of the efforts of numerous people. In this case, without them this book would never have existed.

First and foremost, I must mention Brenda, who not only helped me understand her language, but also put me in my place when necessary.

I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Right Management: Carlos, Vanessa, Maricruz and Caridad, all of whom spent hours helping me put this together.

Another person dedicated a large amount of her time to helping me understand these sayings and reviewing my work. Thank you, Kitty.

My friends at KOI Publicidad entertained me with their interpretations of Puerto Rican words and sayings, as well as helped contribute to this book.

A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico xviii

I would like to thank the publisher, Mr. Andrés Palomares, who took a risk last year and has been pleasantly surprised.

Finally, my sincere thanks to that anonymous element that had no idea it was part of the process.

Reconocimientos

Cada libro es una compilación de los esfuerzos de un sinnúmero de personas. En este caso, sin ellos este libro no existiría.

Primero que nadie, tengo que mencionar a Brenda, quien no solamente me ayudó a entender su idioma, pero también me mantuvo en la tierra cuando necesario.

Me gustaría expresar mi gratitud a la gente de Right Management: Carlos Vanessa, Maricruz y Caridad, quienes pasaron horas ayudándome a armar este libro.

Otra persona dedicó una cantidad de tiempo enorme explicándome estos refranes y revisando mi trabajo. Gracias, Kitty.

Speaking PHRASES Boricua! xix

Mis amigos de KOI Publicidad me divertieron con sus interpretaciones de palabras y refranes puertorriqueños, así como a su contribución al libro.

Quiero agradecer al editor, el Sr. Andrés Palomares, quien tomó un riesgo el año pasado y fue felizmente sorprendido.

Finalmente, doy mi agradecimiento sincero al elemento anónimo que no tiene idea que fue parte de este proceso.

1

How to Use This Guide

Most of the sayings in this book are written based on the grammatically correct way, and not based on how they are pronounced. In some situations the pronounced version may be significantly different from how it is written. If you cannot find the saying in this guide and you think it is because of the pronunciation, I would suggest either asking someone about the saying or use the index to look for other key words within the saying.

The following symbols are located before a saying’s entry and are to help make the guide a bit easier to enjoy (NOTE: The symbol may apply to only one definition for sayings with more than one definition).

The symbols are: Commonly used sayings Sayings that may not be acceptable in some

circumstances, including expletives, insults, crude or politically incorrect words.

Sayings that are the same or similar in English and Spanish.

HM

E

A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico 2

Each entry follows this format:j Symbol (if necessary)k Saying in Spanishl Literal Translation into Englishm Definition in Englishn Similar sayings in Spanish (if any exist)o Equivalent or similar saying (if one exists) in

English

jHk Cuando el río, suena agua lleva.lL: When the river sounds, it carried watermD: There must be some truth to the rumor. Used in response...nS: Cuando el río suena, es porque algo trae. o E: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

3

Cómo Usar Esta Guía

La mayoría de los refranes en este libro están escritos según la forma gramaticalmente correcta, y no como se pronuncian. En algunas situaciones la versión pronunciada puede ser significativamente diferente de la forma escrita. Si no encuentras un refrán en esta guía y piensas que tiene que ver con la pronunciación sugiero preguntar a alguien o buscarlo en el índice usando palabras claves.

Se encuentran los siguientes símbolos antes del refrán y están para ayudar en el uso de la guía. (NOTA: Los símbolos pueden aplicar solamente a una de las definiciones en aquellos casos que haya más de una definición).

Los símbolos son:

H Refranes comunes

M Refranes que pueden ser inaceptables en ciertas circunstancias, incluyendo malas palabras, refranes insultantes, o palabras que pueden ofender a algunas personas o grupos de personas.

E Refranes que son iguales o parecidos en inglés y español.


Cada refrán sigue este formato:j Símbolo (si necesario)k Refrán en españoll Traducción literal al inglésm Definición en inglésn Refranes parecidos en español (si existe alguno)o Refrán equivalente o parecido (si existe alguno) en

inglés

jHk Cuando el río, suena agua lleva.lL: When the river sounds, it carried watermD: There must be some truth to the rumor. Used in response...nS: Cuando el río suena, es porque algo trae. o E: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

L: Literal D: Definition S: Same/Similar E: Equivalent

5

Wisdom Boricua:Puerto Rican to English

A

E A caballo regalado no se le mira el colmillo L: A horse given as a gift, do not look at its eye teethD: Don’t look for the faults in a gift, just be happy that you received something and accept it for what it isS: NoneE: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

A cada guaraguao le llega su pitirreL: For each hawk his pitirre arrivesD: The pitirre is a small bird that attacks specifically the guaraguao, a large hawk. The implication of the phrase is that just because someone is

physically large does not mean that he/she will automatically dominate over someone much smallerE: Brains over brawn

A cada lechón le llega su San MartínL: To each suckling pig, his Saint Martin arrivesD: The belief that, although a person that deserves punishment has not received it, eventually he will be punished.S: A cada puerco le llega su sábadoE: He’ll get his, He’ll get what’s coming to him, He’ll get what he deserves, His time will come



H A cada puerco le llega su sábadoL: To each pig, his Saturday arrivesD: Sooner or later whoever does something wrong will be caughtS: A cada santo le llega su día, a cada lechón le llega su San MartínE: He’ll get his, He’ll get what’s coming to him, He’ll get what he deserves, His time will come

H A cada santo le llega su día [hora]L: To each saint, his day [hour] arrivesD: Anyone’s good deeds will be recognized eventually, if at no other time, than when the person faces their CreatorE: His time will come

A cada santo su velaL: To each saint his candleD: Recognizes the positive acts of people that deserve recognitionE: His time will come

A cualquiera se le muere un tíoL: To anyone an uncle diesD: Refers to commonplace occurrences that happen to everyoneE: It can happen to the best of us

A Dios rogando y con el mazo dandoL: To God begging and with the mallet going at itD: To keep at something. It is fine to ask for God’s help, but one must keep working so that the project moves forward

A ése no lo salvan ni las once mil vírgenesL: That one cannot be saved even by the eleven thousand virginsD: To be beyond saving, either in a medical sense or in the sense that someone is so bad, there is no way to pull him out of it.

H A falta de pan, galletaL: At the lack of bread, crackers.


Speaking PHRASES Boricua! 7

D: When one thing is not available, one must make do with something elseE: Make do with what you’ve got

A grandes males, grandes remediosL: For grand bads, grand remediesD: When you are confronted with large problems, just make sure that you have everything organized and in place to fix it. If it’s a big problem, don’t come with some small idea to patch over the situation. Make sure your solution will eliminate the problem

A la corta o a la larga con el tiempo todo se alcanzaL: In the short or in the long, with time everything is reachableD: Sooner or later problems or difficulties can be overcome or resolved

A la larga todo se sabeL: In the long run, everything is knownD: Sooner or later everything is revealedE: Everything eventually comes

to light

A la tierra que fueres haz lo que vieresL: In whichever land you are, do what you see.D: When you are visiting an unknown place, just copy what the locals are doing, and you will fit in fineS: Si a Roma fueras, haz lo que vieras, ¿Dónde va Vicente? Donde va la genteE: When in Rome, do as the Romans

H A las millas de ChaflánL: To the miles of ChaflánD: Extremely fast

A lo hecho pechoL: What is done, chestD: If you made a mistake you must confront it and resolve the situationE: Own up to one’s mistakes

H A mal tiempo, buena caraL: At a bad time, good faceD: When things do not come out as planned you must remain



calm to face the situation

A mala hora no ladra el perroL: At a bad time the dog does not barkD: In spite of all the preparations and precautions taken something unexpected always happens, the one thing you never planned for is the one thing that happens

MA mi plin y a la madama dulce de cocoL: I couldn’t care less and for the madame coconut candyD: Who cares, I don’t careE: I couldn’t give a hoot, I couldn’t give a rat’s ass, I don’t give a shit

H A otro perro con ese huesoL: Another dog with that boneD: Used when someone is lying to you, for example, the homeless person that says he needs money for food when everyone knows he really wants it for boozeS: No me vengas con ese cuentoE: I’ve heard that story before

A palabras necias, oídos sordosL: For foolish words, deaf earsD: If you are going to say stupid or foolish things, I am not interested in listeningE: To go in one ear and out the other

H A quien Dios no le da hijos el diablo le da sobrinosL: To whom God does not give children, the devil gives nieces and nephewsD: For the people that do not have kids, they still often share the same problems and pleasures that parents do, through their nieces, nephews or other children that are close to them

M¿A quién le amarga un dulce?L: Who is soured by a candy?D: Smart aleck answer to any type of dumb question when the answer is obvious.E: Does a bear shit in the woods?, Does the pope wear a hat?

H A rey muerto, rey puesto



L: King dead, king placedD: Phrase meaning that someone, after passing away or leaving, is quickly replaced. For example a widow that quickly finds another partner to maintain him/her. Also implies that the person is taking advantage of the situation.

H A río revuelto, ganancia de pescadoresL: Churned up river, benefit of fishermenD: During times of uncertainty, there are still opportunities to be had

A su tiempo maduran las uvasL: In their own time mature the grapesD: Good things take time to develop, be patientE: Good things come to those who wait

A ver si es verdad que el gas pelaL: Let’s see if it is true that gas peelsD: Let’s find out if what you

A río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores

say is really true. Apparently at some point, people found out that gasoline can remove your skin after prolonged contact

Admisión de delito, relevo de pruebaL: Admission of guilt, release of proofD: Once you admit to



something, there is no further need to prove it. Also, if for example, you are caught in the same room where a vase just broke, it is obvious that you are the person that broke itE: Guilt by association

Agua pasada no mueve molinoL: Past water moves no windmillD: Forget about the past and focus on the presentE: Water under the bridge

Agua que no has de beber, déjala correrL: Water that you have not drunk, let it runD: Do not get involved in situations that do not affect youE: Don’t stick your nose where it does not belong

Ahí sí hay mucha tela de donde cortarL: Here there is a lot of cloth from where to cutD: A topic of much interest, a

subject with a wide range of possibilities to discuss

Ahogarse en un vaso de aguaL: To drown oneself in a glass of waterD: To over-worry about simple thingsE: To make a mountain out of a molehill

Ahorcarse con su propia sogaL: Hang oneself with one’s own ropeD: To suffer the consequences of a problem that was created by oneselfE: You’ve made your bed, now lie in it

Al mal paso, darle prisaL: At a bad step, hurry it upD: When facing a difficult situation, try all the alternatives or solutions as quickly as possible

H Al mejor cazador se le va la liebreL: From the best hunter, the hare gets away



D: Even the experts or best people make mistakes sometimesE: Everyone makes mistakes, It happens to the best of them

H Al pan, pan y al vino, vinoL: For bread, bread and for wine, wineD: Tells someone to speak directly without engaging in flowery conversationE: Cut to the chase, Get to the point, Call a spade a spade, Don’t talk in circles

H Al perro flaco, todas las pulgas le caenL: To the thin dog, all the fleas fallD: The same people always have all the problems in life, someone with one problem often has lots of other problems piled onE: When it rains, it pours

Al que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobijaL: He who draws close to a good tree, good shade will coverD: Working with good or positive people can rub off

Al que Dios se lo da, que San Pedro se lo bendigaL: For whom God gives it, San Pedro should bless itD: Used by a less fortunate person (referring to looks or money) about someone that is better off, and means that the more fortunate person is lucky and should enjoy what they have

Al que le caiga el sello [sayo] que se lo pongaL: To whom the seal [smock] falls, put it onD: Used when someone wants to identify a negative action without identifying the person committing it. For example, mentioning that whoever stole the chocolate bar from your desk should return itE: If the shoe fits, wear it

Al que madruga, Dios lo ayudaL: He who rises early, God will help.D: Advice that he who arises early will be rewarded



E: The early bird catches the worm

H Al que no le gusta el caldo, le dan tres tazasL: He who does not like the broth is given 3 cupsD: If you do not like something you can be sure you will get a lot of it

Al son que le toquen, bailanL: For whatever beat one gets, danceD: A person responds in a similar manner to how he/she is treated

H Alábate pollo que mañana te guisanL: Praise yourself chicken for tomorrow they stew youD: This phrase is often used for a self-centered or stuck-up person. The meaning is that the person will get what he deservesE: To get what’s coming to you

Allá ellos que son blancos y se entienden

L: There they are whites and they understand each otherD: A sarcastic phrase saying “I don’t belong, but I don’t care” often used by people who are poor and are looking at rich people

Allá Marta con sus pollosL: There Marta [Martha] with her chickensD: Who cares what she is doing?E: I couldn’t care less

Amigo, de cien uno y de mil ningunoL: Friend of a hundred, one and of a thousand noneD: Really close, trustworthy friends are extremely hard to come by

Amigo en la adversidad es un amigo de verdadL: A friend in adversity is a true friendD: A real friend is one that stands by you, even in bad timesE: A friend in need is a friend indeed



Amigo es un peso en el bolsilloL: Friend is a weight in the pocketE: Friends can sometimes bring problems

Amigo mío que nos perdemos, tú para más y yo para menosE: My friend that we lose each other, you for more and I for lessD: Let’s break things off, since in everything but name, our relationship is already over (generally refers to partners or friends)

Amor con amor se pagaL: Love with love is paidD: You can achieve more by being nice to people than being rudeE: You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

MAmor de lejos, amor de pendejosL: Love from afar, love of idiotsD: Long distance relationships are a bad idea. You shouldn’t

trust your partner from afar

Antes de que te cases mira lo que hacesL: Before you marry look at what you are doingD: Make sure you are aware of what you’re doing before making an important decision like getting married

H Aparecer hasta en la sopaL: Appear even in the soupD: To be everywhere, all over the place

Aprende a nadar y guardar la ropaL: Learn to swim and guard the clothingD: Always be sure to keep something to yourself. It is best to be reserved in one’s personal affairs

Aquí paz y en el cielo gloriaL: Here peace and in Heaven gloryD: To put an end to an argument or feud and to begin a new stage in the relationship, to start anew



E: Wipe the slate clean, Start afresh

HMArroz, que carne hayL: Rice, what meat there isD: Comment made when you see a hot chick in reference to her body

H Aterriza que no hay tocónL: Land for there is no stumpD: This is a goofy phrase used when someone stumbles, but there was nothing in their way or on the ground to cause their stumble. They just stumbled for no reason

Ay Dios, mándame más si más me merezcoL: Oh God, send me more if more I deserveD: Phrase that expresses resignation to the negative things that are happening in a person’s life

Ayúdate que Dios te ayudaráL: Help yourself that God help youD: A person that works to

overcome his own problems will be helped along by God. This implies that a person that sits around and waits for solutions to be handed to them by others, will not be in God’s good gracesS: Dios dice ayúdate que yo te ayudaréE: God helps those who help themselves

BBarco grande, ande o no andeL: Large ship, working or notD: Means that someone is attracted by the size or quantity of something but ignores the quality of the item or its ability to function

Barco que no anda no llega a puertoL: Ship that does not work does not arrive to portD: You will never achieve your objective if you don’t take steps towards itE: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step



H Buscar las cinco patas al gatoL: Look for the five paws of the catD: 1. Attempt to solve an insolvable situation, 2. To waste time looking for something that does not exist

Barriga llena, corazón contentoL: Tummy full, heart contentD: By having fulfilled a need, a person enters a period of happiness

Bien predica, quien bien viveL: Preaches well, who lives wellD: A person that lives a healthy life preaches simply by his acts. In other words if the person is a good example to others, there is no need to go out and talk about it, others will see how he livesE: Practice what you preach

Borrón y cuenta nuevaL: Erased and new accountD: To forget about everything bad in the past, and to get a fresh startE: Start from scratch, Let bygones be bygones, Wipe the slate clean

Buscar las cinco patas al gato



C

E Cada cual a lo suyoL: Each one to his ownD: Everybody is different. Each person has unique preferences, tastes and needsE: To each his own, Different strokes for different folks

Cada cual cuenta de la feria como le va en ellaL: Each one tells of the fair how it goes for himD: Each person’s opinion of something depends on how well or poorly they did. For example, one merchant might think that the economy is really bad because his sales are low, but the other, who sells a lot, thinks that the economy is growing strongly

Cada cual sabe de la pata que cojeaL: Each one knows of the leg with which he limpsD: This phrase means that each person knows his own weaknesses and faults

S: Cada cual sabe donde le aprieta el zapato

Cada cual sabe donde le aprieta el zapatoL: Each one knows where the shoe squeezes themD:Each person knows where his/her own faults areS: Cada cual sabe de la pata que cojea

Cada cual se reparte con la cuchara grandeL: Each one gives out with the big spoonD: A person takes a more than proportionate share for themselves when given the chance. A person is in it for himselfE: To look out for Number One

Cada cuál tiene lo que buscaL: Each one has what he looks forD: The idea that someone who wants to achieve a specific goal or objective generally does because they focus all of their efforts on that goal.



H Cada gallina a su gallineroL: Each chicken to its chicken coopD: Each person has his own way of living, and for as strange as it may seem, everyone else should respect itS: Cada oveja con su pareja, Cada loco con su temaE: To each his own

Cada loco con su temaL: Each crazy person with his themeD: A person’s actions or thoughts may not seem reasonable to you but you must

respect their independenceS: Cada gallina a su gallinero, Cada oveja con su parejaE: To each his own, Different strokes for different folks

Cada oveja con su parejaL: Each sheep with its pairD: Each person has his own way living, and for as strange as it may seem, everyone else should respect itS: Cada gallina a su gallinero, Cada loco con su tema

Cada oveja con su pareja



H Caerse como una guanabanaL: To fall down like a sour sop fruitD: To fall down, to stumbleE: To wipe out

H Calma piojo que el peine llegaL: Calm down louse for the comb arrivesD: A soft reprimand that a person needs to be patient, and that by doing so the resolution of the situation will arriveE: Good things come to those who wait

Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corrienteL: Shrimp who sleeps is taken away by the currentD: If one does not pay attention, then control of the situation could be lost. For example, control of one’s destiny will be driven by outside factors. It is better to remain involved and control one’s own outcomes.

H Cambiar chinas por botellasL: Change oranges for bottlesD: To have something good and exchange it for something worth less, come out on the losing end of an exchange

Camino malo se anda ligeroL: Bad path is walked quicklyD: Advice to confront a difficult situation, rather than postponing the inevitableE: Get it over with quickly

Caridad contra caridad no es caridadL: Charity against charity is not charityD: When a person gives charity, but only because he/she expects something in return, then it is really not charity

H Chúpate esa en lo que te mondan la otraL: Suck this while they peel anotherD: If you thought the first time was bad, get used to it, because you’re about to get it again



E: Bend over, here it comes again (BOHICA)

Coger el sartén por el mangoL: To grab the frying pan by the handleD: A reminder that it is better to be in control of a situation rather than have it control youE: Take the horse by the reigns

E Coger el toro por los cuernosL: To grab the bull by the hornsD: To face a problem head on instead of ignoring it or letting it run out of controlE: To grab the bull by the horns

Comer delante de los pobresL: Eat in front of the poorD: This phrase means that a person is using or doing something that another person sees but cannot do. For example, two people are kissing each other and another person sees them but is without his/her partner and can’t kiss anyone so he uses this phrase

MComo quiera que te pongas siempre tienes que llorarL: However you put it, you always have to cryD: The person can never be pleasedE: Bitch, bitch, bitch

MComo un ciempiés meadoL: Like a pissed on centipedeD: Really pissed off about somethingE: Hopping mad, Mad as a hatter

Como vaca que va para riscoL: Like cow that goes over a cliffD: Imagine how the cow must feel when it realizes it is going over a cliff!E: Scared out of his mind

Compay, compay, pero la gallina vale dos realesL: Friend, friend, but the hen is worth 2 royalsD: Even though we are best



friends, you still need to pay me for what you wantE: Business is business

E Con amigos así no hacen falta enemigosL: With friends like that enemies are not neededD: Implies that the relationship with one’s friends is untrustworthyE: With friends like that who needs enemies?

Con la misma vara que midas serás medidoL: With the same rod you measure you will be measuredD: If a person holds people to high standards, he/she must be willing to live up to those same standards. This is especially true if the person is vocal about his opinion of others, creating a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else will begin to look for his/her faults and point them out at the earliest opportunity

MCon ojos de vaca cagonaL: With eyes of a shitting cowD: Really, really scared. If you’ve never seen it, you can imagine how big the eyes of a cow get when it is straining to shitE: Scared shitless

Con ojos de vaca cagona



Con paciencia se llega lejosL: With patience one arrives farD: You can achieve much more by being patient than is possible by rushing around in a hurry. The underlying idea is that it is better to do things well the first time, rather than rush through and have to fix mistakes later

MCreerse la última Coca Cola del desiertoL: To believe oneself the last Coca Cola in the desertD: To believe that you are better than everyone elseE: The bee’s knees, To think he’s the bomb, The best thing since sliced bread, God’s gift to women

Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojosL: Raise ravens, and they will take your eyes outD: Even though you treated someone well and with care, that person turned on you, treating you poorly

E: Bites the hand that feeds him

Cría fama y acuéstate a dormirL: Raise fame and lie down to sleepD: After a person works diligently for success and achieves it, the person can rest

Cuando Dios no quiere, santos no puedenL: When God does not want, saints cannotD: If God does not want something to happen, there is no amount of effort that can overcome this

H Cuando el río suena es porque algo traeL: When the river sounds it is because it brings somethingD: There must be some truth to the rumor. Used in response to someone that questions the truth of a rumor. Affirms that more often than not rumors are based, at least partially, in truth.



S: Cuando el río suena, agua lleva, Si el río suena es porque agua trae E: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

H Cuando el río suena, agua llevaL: When the river sounds, it carries waterD: There must be some truth to the rumor. Used in response to someone that questions the truth of a rumor. Affirms that more often than not rumors are based, at least partially, in truth.S: Cuando el río suena, es porque algo traeE: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

Cuando hay hambre, no hay pan duroL: When there is hunger, there is no hard breadD: When a person “hungers” to achieve something the obstacles and difficulties in the way will be overcome

E Cuando la pobreza entra por la puerta, el amor sale por la ventanaL: When poverty enters through the door, love leaves through the windowD: It is an indirect way of saying that a romantic relationship is based more on money than on love. Once the money runs out, the relationship will endE: When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window

¿Cuándo no es Pascua en diciembre?L: When is it not Christmas in December?D: Used in situations when something is inevitable

Cuando no está preso lo andan buscandoL: When he is not in jail, they are looking for himD: Shows a lack of faith in someone, labels him/her as a troublemakerE: The person is a bad apple



understands what that person is going through.E: I hear you, I get where you’re coming from

E Cuando una puerta se cierra, cientas se abrenL: When a door is closed, hundreds are openedD: When one opportunity is lost many others appear shortly afterwards, phrase often used to comfort someone that is down because of a recently lost opportunity

Cuando se está hundiendo el barco, salen todas las ratasL: When the ship is sinking, all the rats leaveD: When things are falling apart, everyone jumps ship. Often used in reference to a failing business

Cuando tú vas, yo vuelvoL: When you go, I’ll returnD: Phrase used by one person to communicate that he/she has been in a similar situation as the second person, and

Cuando se está hundiendo el barco salen todas las ratas



E: When one door closes, another one opens

Cuando uno está de malas, hasta la mujer se la pega!L: When someone is bad off, even the woman cheats on him!D: When things start to go wrong, everything begins to go wrong at the same timeE: When it rains, it pours

H Cuatro ojos ven más que dosL: Four eyes see better than twoD: It is better to have two people looking at a situation that needs to be analyzed or resolvedE: Two heads are better than one

Cuenta el milagro pero no diga el santoL: Tell the miracle but do not say the saintD: To share or tell about a situation but at the same time to not reveal the source of the information

H Cúentamelo todo, o no me cuentes nadaL: Tell me everything, or do not tell me anythingD: Phrase used to push someone to share the gossip or the latest news

H Cuentas claras conservan amistadesL: Clear accounts conserve friendshipsD: Any time something is borrowed between friends, it is best to give it back (or pay it back) as quickly as possible. This will keep you from losing the friendshipE: Short reckonings make long friends

H Cuídate tú de las aguas bravas, y de las mansas que me libre DiosL: You take care of the white waters, and of the calm ones that God liberate meD: Turbulent people and situations are the easy ones to handle. When a person or situation is calm, reserved or



quiet, you may not even know of a brewing problem, and for that reason you must accept that God will help you in situations you do not foreseeS: Del agua mansa líbreme Dios que de la brava me libro yo

DDando y dando, pajaritos volandoL: Giving and giving, small birds flyingD: If you give me what you owe me, then I can do the same. For example, bring me your laundry ticket, and I can give you your laundry

De algo murió mi abuelaL: From something died my grandmotherD: Phrase used to avoid revealing all the details of a situation, or to maintain something a mystery

De cualquier maya sale un ratónL: From any treetop comes a rat

D: Something bad can show up anywhere, can appear from anywhere unexpectedS: De cualquier nube sale un chubasco

H De cualquier nube sale un chubascoL: From any cloud comes a squallD: see De cualquier maya sale un ratón

De ese infierno no salen chispasL: From that hell sparks do not come outD: Used in situations (ex. arguments or discussions) that may, at a glance, appear heated or dangerous, but that really will amount to nothingE: Nothing will come of it, A lot of hot air

De la esperanza vive el cautivoL: From hope lives the captiveD: Hope is what often keeps people thinking of the future, even if it is apparent that they have no future



S: De la esperanza vive el pobre

HMDe noche todos los gatos son prietosL: At night all cats are blackD: At night time, everyone looks the same. This may be used in a sexual sense, meaning that in the dark who cares what your partner looks likeE: All cats are grey in the dark

De poetas, tontos y locos, todos tenemos un pocoL: Of poets, fools and crazies, we all have a littleD: Human beings are a mixture of different things. At some point a person can be artistic and brilliant while at another time the same person can be foolish or do something crazy

E De tal padre, tal hijoL: From such father, such sonD: Children often mimic the behavior of their fatherE: Like father, like son, The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

HE De tal palo, tal astillaL: From such stick, such chipD: Children often mimic the behavior of their fatherE: Like father, like son, A chip off the old block

De tal padre, tal hijo



Defenderse más que un gato boca arribaL: Defend oneself more than a cat mouth upwardD: To viciously defend oneself. Apparently cats, really come out fighting when they’re on their backE: Fight tooth and nail

Dejarse caer para que lo carguenL: To let oneself fall, so that others may carry you

D: To play dumb or pretend to be injured so everyone else does the work

H Del agua mansa libreme Dios, que de la brava me libero yoL: Of the calm water liberate me God, for I will liberate myself from the white waterD: see Cuídate tú de las aguas bravas, y de las mansas que me libre Dios

Defenderse más que un gato boca arriba



Del árbol caído todos hacen leñaD: From a fallen tree everyone makes firewoodL: When a person suffers a humiliating situation, he/she often becomes the target of other negative situationsE: When it rains it pours

H Del dicho al hecho hay un gran trechoL: From the saying to the fact there’s a great distanceD: Implies that a person may be promising something that he/she cannot complete. It is a long way from what he/she says to what he/she can deliver

H Desde que se inventaron las excusas, nadie quiere ser culpableL: Since excuses were invented, nobody wants to be guiltyD: It seems that there is always an excuse, to avoid being blamed or taking responsibility for something.E: Pass the buck

Desgraciado en el juego, afortunado en el amorL: Unlucky in gambling, fortunate in loveD: This is an old wives tale. Also, a phrase used when a really ugly guy is with a gorgeous woman

Después de la tormenta, siempre llega la calmaL: After the storm, the calm always arrivesD: The calm after the stormE: After a storm comes a calm

H Desvestir un santo para vestir a otroL: Undress a saint to dress anotherD: It does not make sense to fill a person’s needs by taking what the first person lacks away from a second person, depriving the second person of what the first now has.E: Rob Peter to pay Paul



Dicen las malas lenguas, y la mía que no es muy buena también lo repiteL: Say the bad tongues and mine which is not very good also repeats itD: This phrase attempts to downplay a person’s own tendency to gossip. The phrase is often shortened to dicen las malas lenguas...E: According to the latest gossip

H Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eresL: Tell me with whom you walk, and I’ll tell you who you areD: A person’s friends are often a good indicator of how that person isE: A man is known by the company he keeps

Dime de qué haces gala y te diré de lo que adolecesL: Tell me from what you make a gala and I’ll tell you from what you sufferD: This phrase applies to anyone that brags a lot. Its meaning is that by looking at

what grand comments someone makes about themselves, you can tell where their faults are

H Dios aprieta pero no ahogaL: God squeezes but doesn’t strangleD: The idea that, although God may allow someone to suffer, he will not permit it to reach a level of desperationE: The Lord works in mysterious ways

Dios castiga sin vara y sin fueteL: God punishes without rod and without spankD: God judges everyone equally

Dios da y quitaL: God gives and takesD: Explains something bad or negative that has happened in a person’s life, for example the death of a loved one.E: God giveth and god taketh



away

Dios dice ayúdate que yo te ayudaréL: God says help yourself for I will help youD: A person that works to overcome his own problems will be helped along by God. This implies that a person that sits around and waits for solutions to be handed to them by others, will not be in God’s good gracesS: Ayúdate que Dios te ayudaráE: God helps those that help themselves

Dios los cría y el Diablo los juntaL: God raises them and the Devil gathers themD: This phrase is used when you see two people together and you don’t like either one, they are made for each other or deserve each otherE: Made for each other

Dios no le da alas al animal ponzoñoso

L: God does not give wings to the stinging animalD: God does not help bad people

Dios no se queda con nada de nadieL: God does not remain with anything of anyoneD: God punishes because it is what they deserved. He does not take things away from people for no reason

Dios quiera que tu guarapo siempre tenga hieloL: God wants that your guarapo always has iceD: Wishes luck to someone; guarapo is a drink made from the syrup of different fruits or sugarcane, mixed with iceE: Good luck!, God speed!

Dios sabe lo que haceL: God knows what he doesD: Although we as humans do not always understand what God is doing, he has his reasons, and for that we should accept what has happened



E: God works in mysterious ways

Donde comen dos, comen tresL: Where two eat, three eatD: Affirmation that an unexpected guest is welcomeE: Always room for one more, The more the merrier

Donde digo digo, no digo digo, que digo DiegoL: Where I say I say, I don’t say I say, that I say DiegoD: A nonsensical phrase that means that a person talks a lot without actually ever saying anything

Donde hubo fuego, cenizas quedanL: Where there was fire ashes remainD: Implies that old feelings can be rekindled. These feelings may be amorous or they may be from long-held grudges

H Donde manda capitán no manda marineroL: Where the captain commands, the sailor doesn’t command

D: There’s only one boss. The guy in charge has the last wordE: The buck stops here

Donde pone el ojo, pone la balaL: Where he puts his eye, he puts the bulletD: Highlights a person’s keen ability of observation. The person is often correct in their suppositions or what they deduce based on what they have observed

Donde se resbala este, se escocota un monoL: Where he slips, a monkey fallsD: A streetwise person

¿Dónde va Vicente? Donde va la gente.L: Where does Vicente go? Where the people goD: When you are visiting an unknown place, just copy what the locals are doing, and you will fit in fineS: A la tierra que fueres haz lo que vieres, Si a Roma fueras, haz lo que vieras



E: When in Rome, do as the Romans

Dos cabezas piensan mejor que unaL: Two heads think better than oneD: Having two or more people solving a situation more often than not has better results than the work that one person can do aloneE: Two heads are better than one

H Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva

L: Two male crabs don’t fit in the same caveD: Always fighting, arguing or bickeringS: Son como dos jueyes machos en la misma cueva

E Dos males no hacen un bienL: Two wrongs do not make a rightD: In trying to correct something bad that a person has done, he/she will sometimes do something

Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva



fails to see, a person’s mistakesE: Love is blind

E El amor no se compra con dineroL: Love is not bought with moneyD: Love is something independent of money. There are things in the world that attract people other than moneyE: Money can’t buy you love

H El amor y el interés se fueron al campo un día y más pudo el interés que el amor que te teníaL: Love and interest left for the country one day and more could the interest than the love that she had for youD: The other person was in the relationship for money, not for loveE: She married him for his money

El bien es enemigo del malL: Good is enemy of evilD: Two things are opposites and go against each other

mistake. Unfortunately, both things are negative and end up worsening the situation instead of improving itE: Two wrongs don’t make a right.

EEl amor entra por la cocinaL: Love enters through the kitchenD: If you want to impress a man, cook for himE: The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach

El amor es ciego, pero los vecinos noL: Love is blind, but the neighbors are notD: Warning given that highlights how nosy people can become involved in your own personal affairs

El amor lo perdona todoL: Love forgives everythingD: The concept of love is forgiving and compassionate and therefore easily forgets, or



H El caballo malo hay que venderlo lejosL: The bad horse must be sold farD: If you are going to take advantage of someone make sure it is someone you will never see again. For example, if your car is about to break down and you sell it, be sure not to sell it to your neighbor. Sell it to someone you will never see again

El cerdo siempre busca el fangoL: A pig always looks for mudD: This is an insulting phrase used to highlight a bad habit of someone else’s behavior.

El deber antes que el placerL: Duty before pleasureD: It is necessary to fulfill one’s responsibilities before taking time off for pleasureE: Business before pleasure

El dinero llama al dineroL: Money calls moneyD: The idea that once a person

has money it is much easier to keep making more money.E: It takes money to make money

Él explotó como un siquitraqueL: He exploded like a firecrackerD: To explode into a rage. Extremely angry

El hábito no hace al monje pero lo distingueL: The habit does not make the monk but it identifies himD: The clothing that a person uses does not change who they are, but it can make them stand outE: Clothes don’t make the man

El hombre es como el oso, mientras más feo más hermosoL: Man is like the bear, the uglier the prettierD: 1. A statement recognizing that even though men can be ugly, some women find them attractive. 2. Even if a man is



ugly he can find a partner, but if a woman is ugly she may never find anyone

E El infierno está lleno de buenas intencionesL: Hell is full of good intentionsD: Although people often mean well, they can still cause harm and damage with their actions.E: The road to hell is paved with good intentions

El ladrón juzga por su condiciónL: The thief judges by his conditionD: A person’s view is influenced by his/her personal situation. For example, a cheating husband believes that everything his wife does points to her cheating on himS: El ladrón se cree, que todos son de su condición

El ladrón se cree que todos son de su condiciónL: The thief believes that all are of his condition

D: see El ladrón se cree, que todos son de su condición

El mejor plato se deja para lo últimoL: The best plate is left for lastD: Advice that suggests the best way to present something and to maintain people interested is to present the best part at the end of the conversationE: Leave the best for last

El mentiroso debe tener buena memoriaL: The liar should have a good memoryD: Refers to the need for a liar to keep track of everything they say so as to not let something slip later on. If the liar does not keep things straight they will give themselves away at some point.

El mono sabe el palo al que trepaL: The monkey knows the tree which he climbsD: Observation that a person knows what they are doing, that



they are aware of what type of person they are dealing with

El movimiento se demuestra andandoL: Movement is demonstrated walkingD: By showing something the person is more likely to believe, than if he/she is only toldE: Actions speak louder than words

H El muerto, después de tres días apestaL: A dead person after three days stinksD: A freeloader. For example, your cousin that needs a place to stay for 2 nights, and a month later is still in the houseS: El muerto y el agregado a los tres días hiedenE: Overstay your welcome

El muerto y el agregado a los tres días hiedenL: The dead person and the freeloader after three days reekD: see El muerto después de tres días apesta

El ocio es la madre de todos los viciosL: Idleness is the mother of all vicesD: When a person is not keeping themselves busy, there is a tendency to become involved in negative or bad things. If the person can stay busy, than he/she will not have time to make up devious ideasE: An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, Idle hands are the devil’s tools

El papel lo aguanta todoL: Paper endures anythingD: Anything can be put on paper

El perfume bueno siempre viene en potes pequeñosL: Good perfume always comes in small bottlesD: Just because something is bigger does not mean that it is betterE: Good things come in small packages



El perjudicado es el último enteradoL: He who is harmed is the last to be informedD: The person most affected by a situation is often the last person to find out. This is generally because everyone else hides the truth as long as possible

El pez grande siempre come el pez pequeñoL: The big fish always eats the small fishD: The person of authority, in power, or with money and resources, will always win out against the little guy

H El pez muere por la bocaL: The fish dies by the mouthD: By talking badly about others, a person opens themselves up for criticism and risks alienating everyoneS: Por la boca muere la pez

E El que (bien) siembra, (bien) cosechaL: He who sows (well), harvests (well)

D: Positive actions bring good results or consequencesE: You reap what you sow

El que a hierro mata, a hierro muereL: He who with iron kills with iron diesD: If a person’s solution to their problems is always violence, then at some point that will kill themE: He who lives by the sword dies by the sword

H El que aguanta una, aguanta dosL: He who puts up with one, puts up with twoD: If a person forgives another once, be prepared to have the same thing happen over and over. For example, if a husband forgives his wife for cheating on him, he should be prepared for her to continue cheating on him

El que asa dos conejos a la vez uno siempre se le quemaL: He who roasts two rabbits at the same time, always burns one



D: If you try to do too many things at once, then none of them turn out wellE: If you run after two hares you will catch neither

El que busca, encuentraL: He who looks, findsD: By taking the initiative, a person can achieve what he wants.

H El que calla, otorgaL: He who remains quiet, approvesD: By not speaking out against what is in question, the person is by default authorizing what he/she is againstE: Silence gives consent

El que canta, sus penas espantaL: He who sings, his sorrows are scared offD: Singing is a way of removing problems or worries from one’s mind

H El que come gofio, se ahogaL: He who eats gofio chokesD: Someone that screws off or takes advantage of people, for example cutting class; gofio is a powdery candy that because it is so dry and fine, can easily make you choke

El que da lo que tiene a pedir se atieneL: He who gives what he has when asked keeps to itD: If you are too generous with things, then you will end up with nothing and will have to beg from othersE: To give away the house

El que da primero, da dos vecesL: He who gives first gives twiceD: The first person to act in a situation is often at an advantage. This may be a fight, where the first blow is the best, or donating money to charity. By giving right away, that is



worth more than giving at a later timeE: He gives twice who gives quickly

H El que duerme con niños amanece mojadoL: He who sleeps with children awakes wetD: If you are associated with something bad, even if you are not involved, you will suffer from the situation. For example, if your friends are criminals, even if you aren’t, at some point you will be implicated with them

El que espera, desesperaL: He who waits, despairsD: This phrase is used for impatient people, that cannot sit quietly and wait for whatever is pending (a line at the store, a doctor’s appointment, kids waiting to open their gifts for Christmas)

El que guarda siempre encuentraL: He who saves, always findsD: The person that saves

whenever he/she has extra, will always find what is needed during times of scarcity

El que hace la ley, hace la trampaL: He who makes the law, makes the loopholeD: Implies that whoever is in charge, making the laws or rules, also puts in the loopholes so that he himself can be exempt from the rules. This person will always come out ahead

El que juega con fuego se quemaL: He who plays with fire burns himselfD: A person that messes around with a “sticky” or dangerous situation is running the risk of hurting himself or getting into troubleE: If you play with fire you get burned

El que juega por necesidad pierde por obligaciónL: He who plays for necessity loses by obligation



D: Don’t gamble something you can’t afford to lose

El que la hace, la pagaL: He who does it, pays for itD: The person that does something bad (stealing, lying, etc.) must assume the consequences

El que mal anda, mal acabaL: He who walks badly, ends badlyD: Anyone that handles his life poorly (uses drugs, steals, etc.) can expect that his life will end poorly as well (in jail, dead, etc.)S: Quien anda mal, acaba mal

El que mucho abarca, poco aprietaL: He who begins many things at once, squeezes littleD: To try to do everything but you end up doing nothing because of lack of time or concentration

El que mucho promete, poco cumpleL: He who promises much, fulfills little

D: Look out for the person that promises everything to everyone. This person will not have the time or resources to fulfill all of his promises, so will end up fulfilling none of themE: Fine words butter no parsnips

El que nace para bombero, del cielo le cae el sombreroL: He who is born to be a firefighter, from heaven falls his hatD: A lucky person that always seems to have things turn out rightS: El que nace para toro, del cielo le caen los cuernosE: Always lands on his feet

El que nace para chavito prieto nunca llega a vellónL: He who is born for a penny, never arrives at a nickelD: No matter what a person does, he/she will not advance any furtherE: To reach one’s limit



El que nace para toro, del cielo le caen los cuernosL: He who was born for a bull, from heaven his horns fallD: A lucky person that always seems to have things turn out rightS: El que nace para bombero, del cielo le cae el sombreroE: Always lands on his feet

El que necesita, buscaL: He who needs, searchesD: Any person that has a real need for something will find the way to obtain it

El que no aprende es porque no quiereL: He who does not learn, it is because he does not want toD: Highlights that one of the most important factors in learning is desire

El que no coge consejos, no llega a viejoL: He who does not take advice, does not become oldD: Anyone that ignores the advice of others, which helps

avoid problems and bad situations, does not arrive to old age

El que no habla, Dios no lo oyeL: He who does not speak, God does not hearD: Speak up for yourself, no one else will

El que no la hace a la entrada, la hace en la salidaL: He who does not do it at the entrance does it at the exitD: Negative observation which highlights that if a person does not change their behavior at the beginning or during a process or relationship, he/she will be forced to change when the relationship is ended (examples are a marriage, employer/employee, friends)

El que no llora no mamaL: He who doesn’t cry doesn’t breastfeedD: If you do not speak for yourself, no one else will



El que no sale de casa, no sabe lo que pasaL: He who does not leave the house, does not know what happensD: It is impossible to understand and know what is happening in the world without getting outside of your house to experience it

El que no tiene hechas, no tiene sospechasL: He who has no actions, has no suspicionsD: If you are hiding something, then generally you are guilty. If you weren’t guilty, you wouldn’t need to hide anythingE: To not have anything to hide

El que no tiene vaca, no bebe lecheL: He who has no cow, does not drink milkD: If you don’t have a job, you aren’t going to eat

El que paga lo que debe, sabe lo que tieneL: He who pays what he owes, knows what he has

D: A person without debts is better off, because he/she knows what belongs to him/her

El que paga se acreditaL: He who pays, is creditedD: If you pay your debts on time, people will be more likely to lend money to you in the futureS: Paga, para que te acrediten

El que persevera, alcanzaL: He who perseveres, reachesD: Anyone that continues to work towards his goals, will eventually achieve them

El que quiere azul celeste, que le cuesteL: He who wants sky blue, that it costs himD: You’ve got to sweat and work to achieve good things, they won’t just fall in your lapD: No pain, no gain

El que quiere, puedeL: He who wants, canD: If you have enough desire, anything can be achieved



E El que ríe último, ríe mejorL: He who laughs last laughs bestD: The person that is ahead at the finish is the winner in the situation. Everything else that happened along the way does not matterE: He who laughs last laughs best

El que se brinda, se sobraL: He who offers, has extraD: By offering advice without being asked, you will most likely be ignored

H El que se casa, para su casaL: He who marries, goes homeD: Once you are married you should go out on your own. Do not live with your parents or in-laws because it will bring you problemsS: El que se casa, casa quiere

El que se casa, casa quiereL: He who marries, wants a home

D: see El que se casa para su casa

El que se come la carne que se coma también el huesoL: He who eats the meat, that he eat also the boneD: A person that accepts the positive from a situation or person, must be willing to accept the negative that comes along with itE: Take the good with the bad

El que se pica es porque ají [ajo] comeL: For he who is bothered, it is because he eats hot pepper [garlic]D: Someone’s anger is a result of his own actions. If he hadn’t eaten the pepper, it wouldn’t be burning his mouth

El que se ríe a solas de su maldad se acuerdaL: He who laughs alone, of his naughty acts remembersD: If you run across someone that is laughing, but is alone, it is because he is remembering something naughty that he did



S: El que solo se ríe de sus picardías se acuerda

El que se va no hace faltaL: He who leaves is not neededD: Anyone that leaves will not be missed. Negative statement that implies that the person’s contributions were minimal. May be said about a husband that abandoned his family, or the lazy worker that decided to leave his job for something else

H El que se va para Aguadilla pierde su silla y el que de Aguadilla viene, su silla tieneL: He who leaves for Aguadilla loses his seat and he who comes from Aguadilla has his seatD: Goofy, playful phrase used when someone leaves their seat, and it is taken by someone else. Means that once a person stands up, he has lost the right to his chair. The second part of the phrase means that when the person returns he/she has the right to reclaim it.

S: El que se va para Rincón pierde su sillón

El que se va para Rincón pierde su sillónL: He who leaves for Rincón loses his armchairD: see El que se va para Aguadilla pierde su silla y el que de Aguadilla viene, su silla tiene

El que siembra espinas que no espere cosechar floresL: He who plants thorns, should not hope to harvest flowersD: If you treat people poorly, then you should expect the same treatment in returnS: El que siembra vientos [tormentas], cosecha tempestadesE: You reap what you sow

El que siembra vientos [tormentas], cosecha tempestadesL: He who plants winds [storms], harvests tempestsD: see El que siembra espinas que no espere cosechar flores



El que solo se ríe, de sus picardías se acuerdaL: He who alone laughs, of his pranks remembersD: see El que se ríe a solas de su maldad se acuerda

El que tiene nariz no manda a olerL: He who has a nose does not ask someone to smellD: If you are capable of doing something yourself, there is no need to send or hire someone else to do it

El que tiene padrino se bautizaL: He who has a godfather is baptizedD: Here a godfather is a person’s protector, a person in a high position with lots of influence that can help someone else along (for example, in a career). Means that the person is blessed because of his/her connectionsE: Friends in high places

El que tiene tienda que la atienda, o si no que la vendaL: He who has a store that he attend it, or if not that he sell itD: A person needs to attend to his own businesses or affairs (not the romantic kind!). If he cannot or will not do this, it is better to remove himself from the situation. This phrase can be taken literally as an advice for a business but figuratively alsoE: Keep your shop and your shop will keep you

El que venga atrás, que arreeL: He who trails behind, get movingD: Refers to a person that benefits from a situation without caring about how it affects others

El que vive bien, muere bienL: He who lives well, dies wellD: This phrase advises to live a clean, healthy life so that you may have a painless, quick death, but also so that people will remember you positively



El que vive de ilusiones, muere de desengañosL: He who lives from illusions, dies from disillusionsD: If you are always dreaming, and never are in reality, you will die disillusioned with your expectationsE: Out of touch with reality

El remedio es peor que la enfermedadL: The remedy is worse than the diseaseD: Often people try to improve a situation but end up making it worse instead

El sol sale para todosL: The sun comes out for everyoneD: Phrase that highlights the equality of all people

El tiempo es oroL: Time is goldD: Time is a precious item and should be used both sparingly and efficientlyS: El tiempo que se va no vuelve

E: Time is money

El tiempo lo cura todoL: Time cures everythingD: As time passes, any wounds (physical or emotional) become less and less painfulE: Time heals all wounds

El tiempo que se va no vuelveL: Time that leaves does not returnD: Time is a precious item that once it is gone cannot be recoveredS: El tiempo es oro

El trabajo no mata a nadieL: Work doesn’t kill anyoneD: Ironic phrases highlighting that physical labor cannot harm a person. Get to work!

El vago trabaja dobleL: The lazy person works twiceD: Anyone that does something half-assed the first time, will have to do it again a second time to fix the problems. Implies that it is better to do something right from the beginning



En boca cerrada no entran moscasL: In a closed mouth flies do not enterD: Advice to not talk more than necessary, to avoid embarrassing situations, gossiping or causing problems for others

En casa de herrero, cuchillo de paloL: In house of blacksmith, wooden knifeD: This phrase is applied to any type of expert that does not treat his personal life the same. Examples are the carpenter who’s house is falling apart or the financial advisor that is broke

En cualquier sitio se cuecen habasL: At any place beans are cookedD: Comment made after observing poor behavior, effectively saying that it is unfortunate but it happens all the time

HE En el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es reyL: In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is kingD: One person can stand out, or achieve a position of power, not because they are great or skilled, but only because those around them are incapableE: In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

En el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es rey



En guerra avisada no muere genteL: In an advised war people don’t dieD: If something is known ahead of time, it is possible to take steps to avoid it or to change the outcome

En la boca del embustero lo cierto se hace dudosoL: In the mouth of a liar the truth becomes doubtfulD: If someone has a habit of lying, it becomes difficult to believe the person, even in the situations when he/she is telling the truth

E En la unión está la fuerzaL: In union is forceD: By sticking together, a group of people can achieve much more than each person separatelyE: In union there is strength, Safety in numbers, United we stand, divided we fall

E En la vida todo tiene remedio, menos la muerteL: In life everything has a remedy, except deathD: Consoling statement for someone that is fed up with a situation. The phrase means that the person should not worry, because there is a solutionE: There is a remedy for everything except death

E ¿En qué mundo vive?L: In what world does he live?D: Expresses that the person is crazy or out of touch with reality. For example, John thinks that in two years people will be living on the moon. Someone else would use this phrase to say that John is nutsE: In what world does he live in?

En vida de matrimonio, ni soso ni saladoL: In a life of matrimony, not tasteless not salty



D: Once a person gets married, life becomes boring and repetitiveE: After marriage, life goes downhill

Encontrarse con la horma de su zapatoL: To run into the shoetree of his shoeD: To run up against the person that could beat or overcome you (often figuratively)E: Meet your match

H Entrar por arrimado y salir por dueñoL: Enter as a parasite and leave as the ownerD: 1. To borrow something but end up keeping it, 2. To outsmart someone

H Eramos muchos y parió la abuelaL: We were many and the grandmother gave birthD: There were already too many problems to deal with, and on top of it all grandma just had another baby!

E Es como buscar una aguja en un pajarL: It is like looking for a needle in a haystackD: An almost impossible situation, something that will take a ridiculous amount of time to accomplishE: Looking for a needle in a haystack

Es como el perro del hortelano, que ni come ni deja comerL: He is like the gardener’s dog, he neither eats nor lets one eatD: A person wants to have it all. For example, a boyfriend doesn’t want a commitment, but doesn’t want to leave his girlfriend eitherE: Have your cake and eat it too, The best of both worlds



Es como un ciego guiando a otro ciegoL: It is like a blind person guiding another blind personD: Observation that the person in charge is just as clueless as the people that followE: The blind leading the blind

H Es de clavo pasadoL: He/she is an old nailD: A fanatic or extremist, often used in reference to supporters of a political party

Es el mismo perro con otro collarL: That is the same dog with a different collarD: Even though someone may change physical appearances, the person continues being the same. Also applies to situations that on the surface appear different but in reality are the same as before

H Es más feo que un caso de drogasL: It is uglier than a drug caseD: To be a really bad situationE: As ugly as sin

E Es más terco que una mulaL: It is more stubborn than a muleD: Mules are really stubborn, so the person in question must be worse

Es como un ciego guiando a otro ciego



E: As stubborn as a mule

Es más vago que la quijá de arribaL: Lazier than the upper jawD: Since the upper jaw never moves, the phrase refers to someone or something extremely lazy

E Es mejor dar que recibirL: It is better to give than to receiveD: It is better to give than to receive

Es mejor malo conocido que bueno por conocerL: It is better the known bad than the good yet to be metD: It is sometimes better to stick with what you know, even if it is not perfect, rather than running the risk of changing, and finding something even worseE: Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know

Es mejor precaver que tener que remediarL: It is better to be cautious

than to remedyD: You will be better off by planning ahead and avoiding problems, than by having to fix problems after they appearE: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Es un peligro estar vivoL: It is a danger to be aliveD: Since some things can happen beyond your control, you should ignore them and focus on the things that you can change

E Escoba nueva barre bienL: New broom sweeps wellD: Someone that is just learning a task will be much more energetic than someone that has been doing it for a longer timeE: New broom sweeps clean

Ese no es santo de mi devociónL: That one is no saint of my devotionD: To not be interested in maintaining a friendship with



someone, implies that the person is not good. Generally there is bad blood, or a history between the two peopleE: Not be a fan of

H Eso es como llover sobre mojadoL: That is like raining over wetnessD: To repeat yourself constantly without being heard, especially in situations where you give advice or reprimand someone, but they do nothing to correct their actionsE: To sound like a broken record

Eso es como pedirle peras al olmoL: That is like asking for pears from an elm treeD: You are asking for something impossibleE: You cannot get a quart into a pint pot, You cannot get blood from a stone [turnip]

Eso es harina de otro costalL: That is flour from another

sackD: Comment used to interrupt someone when that person is trying to compare two situations but they really have nothing in common.S: Esos son otro veinte pesosE: That’s a whole different story

H Eso son otros veinte pesosL: That is a different twenty pesos (dollars)D: Phrase used when one person tries to compare two things, and the second person believes that they are completely unrelatedS: Eso es harina de otro costalE: That’s a whole different story

Está buscando lo que no se le ha perdidoL: He is looking for that which he has not lostD: Even though you may believe that you want something to happen, be careful because it may turn out different from what



you expectedE: Don’t wish too hard, you might just get what you wished for

Esta como el arroz blanco, en todas las partesL: He is like white rice, everywhereD: You’re everywhereE: All over the place

Esta como el matapiojoL: It is like the lice-killerD: Someone that is annoying, bothersome and pisses you off

MEsta hecho una ladillaL: He is made a louseD: The person is a freeloaderE: He is a leech

Estar como sapo de letrinaL: To be like a toad in a latrineD: To be stuffed or full, to over eat

Estar con la soga al cuelloL: To be with the noose at the neckD: 1. To be in a difficult situation. 2. To be financially strapped or drainedE: To be in a jam

Estar como sapo de letrina



Estar entre la espada y la pared

Estar en la procesión y quiere tocar las campanasL: To be in the procession and want to play the bellsD: The person wants to be in charge of everything and will not give up responsibility for some things

Estar entre la espada y la paredL: To be between the sword and the wallD: To be in a difficult, if not impossible, situationE: Between a rock and a hard place

Estar más combinado que un cuadro del hipodromoL: To be more coordinated than a horse race sheetD: Describes someone that is extremely well dressed, everything coordinates perfectlyE: Dressed to the nines

H Estar más emperifollada que la puerca de Juan BoboL: To be more dressed up than the pig of Juan BoboD: To be dressed extremely gaudy, have too much makeup on. To wear large, ugly accessories



MEstar más pelado que el culo de un monoL: To be balder than a monkey’s assD: Apparently someone did the research, and realized that monkey’s asses have no hair on them, so this phrase means to be completely bald

Estar más envuelto que un regalo [pastel]L: To be more wrapped than a gift [pastry]D: To be extremely involved in something or someone. Often used in a romantic sense when a person is in love with or even infatuated with someone else

Estar más jalado [halado] que un timbre de guaguaL: To be more pulled than a bus’s bellD: A really thin person. The person is thinner than the cord pulled to advise the bus driver that you want to get off at the

next stop

Estar más pelado que el culo de un mono



Estar más perdido que un juey bizco

H Estar más perdido que un juey bizcoL: To be more lost than a cross-eyed crabD: Apparently cross-eyed crabs get lost regularly so if you’re more lost than the poor crab,

you’re in big trouble. Lost refers not only to directions, but also in situations when a person does not follow a conversation or an ideaE: Clueless



E Estar probando su propia medicinaL: To be tasting his own medicineD: The same bad thing happens to someone, after he/she already made someone else experience itE: A taste of his own medicine, What comes around goes around

Estar más perdido que una cucaracha en un baile de gallinasL: To be more lost than a cockroach at a chicken danceD: To be really, really lost…I guess cockroaches and chickens never socialize together

Estar más perdido que una cucaracha en un baile de gallinas



H Estar soñando con pajaritos preñadosL: To be dreaming of pregnant birdsD: To be dreaming of unattainable things

Estar trabajando para el inglésL: To be working for the EnglishD: A dead-end job, there is no future in what the person is doing

Esto será cuando la rana eche peloL: This will be when the frog grows hairD: Never, that chance is so remote it is impossible, forget itE: When pigs fly, Not in a million years

Esto ya se está pasando de castaño a oscuroL: This is already changing from brown to dark

D: A given situation is becoming more seriousE: Things are getting ugly, Things are taking a turn for the worse, Things are getting out of hand

FFormar una tormenta en un vaso de aguaL: To form a storm in a glass of waterD: Take a simple problem and turn it in to something complicatedS: Hacen de un grano de arena una montañaE: Make a mountain out of a mole hill

Fulano es como un puente rotoL: Joe Blow is like a broken bridgeD: A difficult, stubborn person that no one can get through to



GGenio y figura hasta la sepulturaL: Genius and figures even the burialD: A well-dressed personE: Dressed to the nines

HHa corrido hasta sin aceiteL: To have run even without oilD: To be overworkedE: To be worked to death

MHa corrido más que una guagua de la AMAL: She has run more than a bus of the AMAD: Describes a woman that gets around or is easy; AMA are the initials for the Metropolitan Bus Authority in spanish (Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses), the public bus system in Puerto Rico

H Hablando del rey de Roma, y las narices que asomaL: Speaking of the king of

Rome, and the noses that appearD: Comment made when someone that was just the topic of conversation shows up unexpectedlyE: Speak of the devil

H Hablar de soga en casa del ahorcadoL: To speak of rope in the home of the hung personD: To make a comment to someone that can be directly related to them, for example, talk about how stupid bank robbers can be to someone that spent 4 years in jail for robbing a bank

Hablar sin pelos en la lenguaL: To speak without hair on the tongueD: To say the truth, even if it hurts, to speak bluntly

H Hablaste por boca de santoL: You spoke for mouth of saintD: A person says or predicts something, that later comes true



E: Hit the nail on the head, Right on the money

Hacen de un grano de arena una montañaL: They make from a grain of sand a mountainD: Take something minor and paint it as if it were extremely complexS: Formar una tormenta en un vaso de aguaE: Making a mountain out of a mole hill

Hay de todo en la viña del SeñorL: There is everything in the vineyard of the LordD: You will find all kinds of different people in the world, many of whom will be strange or weird or have extreme opinions, but it is important to respect them anywayE: To each his own, It takes all kinds

Hay gustos que merecen palosL: There are tastes that deserve beatingsD: Some people just have absurd, bad or disgusting tastes, and for that reason they should be taken out back and beatenE: There’s no accounting for tastes

Hay mucho que ganar y poco que perderL: There is much to win and little to loseD: A situation that has a lot of up-side potential, but not a lot of risks involved

Hay que arar con los bueyes que se tengaL: One must plow with the oxen you haveD: Just be happy with what you’ve got. You need to resolve the situation with whatever is at your disposal. Wishing for more money or help won’t finish the taskE: Make do with what you’ve got



Hay que consultarlo con la almohadaL: One must consult it with the pillowD: To think about something overnight, mull it over while you sleep E: Sleep on it

Hay que dar del ala para comer de la pechugaL: One must give from the wing to be able to eat from the breast

D: Sometimes it is necessary to give up something to get something else you wantE: Give a little to get a little

H Hay que dar para recibirL: One must give to receiveD: You need to be generous to others before they will be generous to youE: It is better to give than to receive

Hay que consultarlo con la almohada



Hay que darle el beneficio de la dudaL: One must give him the benefit of the doubtD: When a situation is not clear, or all necessary information is not available, a person just accepts or believes what the other person saysE: Take his word for it

Hay que darle tiempo al tiempoL: One must give time to timeD: Don’t rush things, Take your time

Hay que echarle la comida en la boca y moverle la “quijá”L: One must put the food in his mouth and move his jaw

D: An indirect way of calling someone lazy, someone else must feed him and then literally move his mouth to chew it, since he is too lazy to move his jaw

Hay que estirar los pies hasta donde llegue la sábanaL: One must stretch the feet until wherever the sheets reachD: You need to see how far you can go, or how far something will take you. For example, try painting, you may find out you are really good, and could actually be a professional, but you’ll never know until you tryE: Stretch your limits, Test the waters

Hay que estirar los pies hasta donde llegue la sábana



Hay que hacer de tripas corazonesL: One must make from intestines heartsD: To begin from a disadvantaged starting position and to build something of great value, to start empty-handed and by using force and ingenuity create something amazingE: To bend over backwards

Hay que leerle la cartillaL: One must read him the notebookD: When someone steps out of line, it is necessary to remind them of their status or positionE: Put someone in his place

Hay que llevar dos sacos, uno para dar y otro para recibirL: One must take two sacks, one to give and the other to receiveD: Be prepared for anything

Hay que sacarle las castañas del fuegoL: One must take out the chestnuts from the fire

D: To remove yourself from a bad situation. To pull back to avoid becoming involved

Hay que sembrar para cosecharL: One must sow to harvestD: In order to receive the benefits of something, a person must first plan and prepare so that those benefits appear

MHay que ver para creerL: One must see to believeD: Something so unbelievable has happened, that the only way that people will believe it is by seeing it themselvesE: Seeing is believing

H Haz bien y no mires a quienL: Do well and don’t look at anyoneD: Worry about yourself and how you act, you do not need to compare yourself to others and see what they’re up to



Hiciste como San Blas, comistes y te vasL: You made like Saint Blas, you ate and you leaveD: Criticizes the person that arrives for dinner, eats and then immediately leaves. Someone that does this regularly comes off as a freeloader and rude. The use of the word comistes is a common error in Puerto Rican Spanish. The gramatically correct word is comiste

Hijo de gato, caza ratónL: Son of cat hunts ratD: Children mimic what they see their parents doingE: Like father, like son

Hijo eres, padre serás, según lo hiciste, así lo verásL: Son you are, father you will be, according to what you did, that you will seeD: Whatever you did as a child, your children will do the same thing to youE: What goes around comes around

Hombre precavido vale por dosL: Cautious man is worth twoD: The person that anticipates events is worth extra

Honor, a quien honor mereceL: Honor to whom deserves honorD: You should recognize people for the good they have doneE: Give credit where credit is due

Hoy por ti, mañana por miL: Today for you, tomorrow for meD: Comment made after helping a friend out of a jam, highlights that you expect the same in return in the futureE: You owe me one

Hoy vivo, mañana muertoL: Today alive, tomorrow deadD: Highlights both the mortality of humans, and the unexpectedness with which death can arriveE: Here today, gone tomorrow



H Ir contra viento y mareaL: To go against wind and tideD: To achieve something against all possibilities, overcome difficult obstaclesE: Fight against all odds

H Irse como guineo en boca de viejaL: It went like a banana in the mouth of a old womanD: To move rapidly, to go by quickly

Huele a sicoteL: It smells like toeD: This is a bad situation. Something is not right hereE: Something smells here

IIr como alma que lleva el diabloL: Go like the soul that the devil carriesD: To go extremely fast, for example, drivingE: Go like a bat out of hell

Ir contra viento y marea



Irse con la música a otra parteL: To leave with the music for somewhere elseD: When someone is bothering you, this phrase is an indirect way of telling them to go somewhere else, and stop bothering you

J

H Juntos pero no revueltosL: Together but not mixed upD: This phrase is used as an answer when two people are accused of being romantically involved. It means, that the two people hang out, but there’s nothing romantic or sexual in the relationship

LLa agonía es larga pero la muerte es seguraL: The agony is long but the death is sureD: Said to someone that is suffering through a problem or situation, consoling them that eventually they will die and the problem will go away

E: Nothing lasts forever

H La ausencia causa olvidoL: Absence causes forgetfulnessD: Once a person is gone from your view (often in a romantic sense) it is easy to forget about them, and move onE: Out of sight, out of mind

E La caridad empieza por casaL: Charity begins at homeD: Pay attention to your surroundings before you start thinking about other things further away. If you are going to help others, help your neighbors first before helping people in other cities or countriesE: Charity begins at home

La carne no está en garabatos por falta de gatosL: The meat is not in expletives for the lack of catsD: Points out that a situation has not occurred not for lack of trying



La cuestión no es llegar, sino quedarseL: The question is not to arrive, but to remainD: What is important is not to obtain something, but to show how well you can use it. For example, getting a job is not what is important, however working well and showing your expertise is what counts

La culpa es tan fea que nadie quiere cargar con ellaL:Guilt is so ugly that no one wants to carry itD: No one ever takes the blame. People don’t stand up and admit when they’re wrong

E La curiosidad mató al gatoL: Curiosity killed the catD: Being curious about people and situations can sometimes get you in troubleE: Curiosity killed the cat

La envidia es una mala consejeraL: Envy is a bad adviserD: The envy that someone has for others can push them to do something unethical in an attempt to be better than others

E La fe mueve montañasL: Faith moves mountainsD: Having faith in someone or something is such a strong power that it can achieve impossible events, such as moving mountainsE: Faith will move mountains

La fiebre no está en la sábana, está en el enfermoThe fever is not in the sheet, it is in the sick personLook for the cause of the problem where it is. In this example, look for the disease by studying the sick person, not by reviewing their bed sheets (that have nothing to do with it)



E La gallina vieja da buen caldoL: The old hen gives good brothD: Just because a woman is older does not mean that the sex is not good. In fact, it may be better because she has experience in the matter

La gota que colmó la copaL: The drop that spilled the glass

La gallina vieja da buen caldo

D: The last straw, the end of one’s patienceThe straw that broke the camel’s back

La ignorancia es atrevidaL: Ignorance is boldD: Being ignorant of the dangers involved in an action, people sometimes move forward with their plans. If they were more aware of the dangers, they would not have pushed forward



La lengua es arma de dos filosL: The tongue is a two-edged weaponD: It is possible to influence people positively through one’s words, but at the same time it is just as easy to cause problems by speaking negatively

La ley de Dios no tiene trampaL: The law of God does not have tricksD: Since God never makes mistakes, whatever happens to you is something that you deservedE: You get what you deserve

La ley entra por la casaL: The law enters through the houseD: It is better to be an example for people, showing them how to act, than for you to tell them how they should act and living your life differentlyE: Lead by example, Actions speak louder than words

La luna no es de queso ni se come con melaoL: The moon is not of cheese, nor is it eaten with cane syrupD: Something may look simple, but it is actually complicated or involvedE: Not as easy as it looks

La luz de adelante es la que alumbraL: The light from ahead is the one that illuminatesD: No matter where you are, things always look better somewhere else. For example, you may have a wonderful family and home, but you may wish to be in your neighbor’s situation, simply because it is different than yoursE: The grass is greener on the other side

La mejor palabra es la que no se diceL: The best word is that which is not saidD: Often, the best way to communicate a person’s



emotions (whether anger, happiness, etc.) is to not say anything at all

H La mona, aunque se vista de seda, mona se quedaL: The monkey, even though dressed in silk, monkey it remainsD: You can dress something up or cover it with a disguise but that will not hide the essence of what it really is

La muerte es lo único seguro que tenemos en la vidaL: Death is the only sure thing in lifeD: Phrase that highlights how uncertain the future can be, and that unexpected (negative) things happen all the timeE: As sure as death and taxes

La mujer es como el espejo, si se toca mucho se empañaL: A woman is like a mirror, if she is touched too much she steams upD: Wisdom given to make sure that a woman protects her image

E La necesidad es la madre de la invenciónL: Necessity is the mother of inventionD: People are always motivated more to invent something, when there is a need to fillE: Necessity is the mother of invention

La práctica hace el maestroL: Practice makes the masterD: By practicing a person can achieve a high level of expertise that would not otherwise be possibleS: La práctica hace milagrosE: Practice makes perfect

La práctica hace milagrosL: Practice makes miraclesD: By practicing, a person will excel in his/her chosen areaS: La práctica hace el maestroE: Practice makes perfect



La ropa sucia se lava en casa

La ropa sucia se lava en casaL: Dirty laundry is washed at homeD: Any family problems should be handled in private and not shared with neighbors, friends, etc.

La soga rompe por lo más delgadoL: The rope breaks at the weakestD: In any type of team work, the weakest member of the group (whether it be physical strength, patience, intelligence) is the one that defines the level of ability of the group.

E: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link

La suerte de la fea, la bonita la deseaL: The luck of the ugly, the pretty wish forD: This phrase highlights that each person sees advantages in others and wants them, without realizing that they themselves hold advantages over those same people, wanted by them.



La última la paga el diabloL: The last one the devil paysD: After being worn out paying all your bills, this is the phrase you would say. It basically means that the last bill can go to hell

La venganza nunca es buena, mata el alma y la envenenaL: Revenge is never good, it kills the soul and poisons itD: Revenge is an emotion that never has a positive outcome

La última la paga el diablo

For example, in this phrase the ugly girl wants to be pretty, but the pretty girl wants to be luckyE: The grass is always greener on the other side

La tercera es la vencidaL: The third is the triumphantD: Don’t give up because often the first couple attempts may fail but then the third attempt will be a successE: Three’s a charm



La yerba mala nunca se muereL: A weed never diesD: A person never inherently changes who they are, once a criminal always a criminalE: A tiger doesn’t change its stripes

Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdónL: Thief who robs a thief, deserves the pardonD: Since a thief causes problems for other people, the

person that steals from the thief deserves not to be blamed. The blame falls on the original thiefE: Give him a taste of his own medicine, What comes around goes around

Las aguas siempre vuelven a su cauceL: Waters always return to their pathD: Although relationships sometimes have bumpy or uncertain moments, once these pass, then the relationship will

Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdón



return to its original course. Phrase used to give hope to people that are passing through a rough moment

Las apariencias engañanL: Appearances deceiveD: A person’s outward appearances are not necessarily proof of how that person behaves and who he hisE: You can’t judge a book by its cover

Las cosas se caen por su propio pesoL: Things fall from their own weightD: Problems go away with the passage of time.

Las cosas se toman según de quien venganL: Things are taken according to from whom they comeD: Besides listening to what is being said, one must take a look at the messenger, to decide the importance and truth of the statementE: Take with a grain of salt

Las desgracias no vienen solasL: Misfortunes do not come aloneD: Phrase that highlights that bad luck will often be followed by more bad luck. Also that a misfortune brings other, often unexpected, consequences

Las doce, la que tenga a mi novio que no lo goceL: At midnight, whoever has my boyfriend, should not enjoy of himD: This expresses jealousy for a boyfriend that is not home by midnight, wishing that the person with the boyfriend has a bad time

Las estrellas inclinan, pero no obliganL: The stars hint but do not compelD: Each person can influence their future, it is not up to factors completely out of their controlE: You make your own destiny



Las palabras, como las plumas, se las lleva el vientoL: Words, like feathers, are carried by the windD: Words are easily forgotten, both by the person speaking them, and by the person listening

E Las paredes tienen oídos y los montes ojosL: The walls have ears and the hills eyesD: Be careful with what you say in confidence because secrets always seem to leak out and be shared with othersE: Walls have ears

Le cayeron como chincheL: They went over like bedbugsD: To be extremely successful or popular. For example, the homemade cookies at the picnic ran out immediately

Le debe a cada santo una velaL: One owes each saint a candleD: To owe everyone (and their brother) money

S: Le debe a las once mil virgenes

Le debe a las once mil virgenesL: He owes the 11 thousand virginsD: You owe money to everyone, and their brotherS: Le debe a cada santo una vela

Le dieron como a pandereta de pentecostalL: They gave it to him like a tambourine of PentecostalsD: Beat the heck out of someone

H Le dieron gato por liebreL: They gave him cat for hareD: Means that a person paid for or was expecting one thing, but what was delivered was something completely differentE: Mix apples and oranges

Le pide permiso a un pie antes de mover el otroL: He asks for permission from one foot before moving the other



D: Refers to a person that acts and moves extremely slowly, in any situation, so much that other people become exasperated by the wait

H Le puso el dedo en la llagaL: He put his finger in the woundD: To precisely identify the problem or “wound”E: Hit the nail on the head

Le sacan punta a una bola de billarL: They pull out a point from a billiard ballD: A person complains or bitches about everything, even if they really have no reason to complain

Levantarse de la cama con el pie izquierdoL: Get out of bed with the left footD: Get up on the wrong side of the bed

Llegar al momento de la verdadL: To arrive at the moment of

truthD: The time to make a huge decision has arrived. (ex. get married, buy a new house)

Lo barato sale caroL: What is cheap comes out expensiveD: Sometimes by trying to save a little money, you end up paying more. It may be because you paid for something of poor quality and it broke right away, or you ended up spending more time on the project than would have been necessary paying someone else to do quality workE: You get what you pay for

Lo bueno dura pocoL: What is good lasts littleD: Phrase explaining why something positive came to an endE: All good things must end

Lo coge todo por el raboL: He grabs everything by the tailD: To not understand what



other people say. A person that always seems to be lost in the conversation, or to understand the exact opposite of what was meantE: Clueless

Lo comido, por lo servidoL: That which is eaten, for that which is servedD: Be grateful for what you’ve got

Lo cortés no quita lo valienteL: That which is courteous does not take away that which is valiantD: Just because a person is courteous to others does not mean that he/she will not stand up for themselves when a confrontation is necessary

Lo dice y no lo sabeL: You say it and you do not know itD: An emphatic agreement to what someone else saidE: You better believe it!

Lo fácil se pierde ligero

L: That which is easy is lost lightlyD: Something that is easily obtained, since it does not have a high value for its owner, is easily lost or forgotten

Lo mejor que hizo Dios fue un día detrás del otroL: The best thing that God did was to create one day after the otherD: Being patient allows you to achieve many things that otherwise wouldn’t be possibleE: Good things come to those who wait

Lo poquito agrada, lo mucho enfadaL: A little pleases, a lot angersD: Too much of something positive will end up turning you against it. You will become tired of something in overabundanceE: Too much of a good thing

Lo prometido es deudaL: That which is promised is debt



D: Once you promise something you owe it to the other person to complete what you promisedE: Keep his word

Lo que bien se aprende nunca se olvidaL: That which is well learned is never forgottenD: Something that is learned because of interest, need or desire is something that will always be remembered

Lo que empieza mal, termina malL: That which begins badly, ends badlyD: If you get off on the wrong foot, it is most likely that things will not improve as time goes by

Lo que es de la mar a la mar vuelveL: That which is from the sea, to the sea returnsD: This phrase is a reprimand to someone for removing something from where it belongs. If it belongs

somewhere, it will find its way back

Lo que está por pasar, pasaráL: That which is about to happen will happenD: see Lo que ha de suceder, sucede

Lo que ha de suceder, sucedeL: That which is about to happen, happensD: There are some things that cannot be controlled or avoided and must be acceptedS: Lo que está por pasar pasará

Lo que mucho vale, mucho cuestaL: That which is worth a lot, costs a lotD: To achieve or obtain something of value, you must work for it. It will not be given to you

Lo que nada nos cuesta hagámosle fiestaL: From that which costs us nothing lets make a party



D: If you don’t have to work and sweat for something, you will waste it away, not fully appreciating the effort needed to obtain it

Lo que no conviene, no vieneL: That which is not convenient does not comeD: A statement of faith recognizing that that which does not arrive was not meant to arrive, or that it would not have been beneficial

Lo que no mata, engordaL: That which does not kill, fattensD: Used in situations when a person is about to eat or enjoy something, and is not sure of the quality of the item. If it doesn’t kill me, its good

Lo que se da, no se quitaL: That which is given is not taken awayD: Comment made to someone that gave a gift, and now wants it back

Lo que se deja para después,

para después se quedaL: That which is left for later, for later it remainsD: By leaving something for later, it never gets done. It’s better to tackle it immediately, to be sure it is finished

Lo que te queda es el solar y no es tuyoL: That which remains for you is the lot and it is not yoursD: Ironic comment made to a person that is extremely skinny, the underlying meaning is that they should put on some weight or they will disappear from the earthE: Thin as a rail

Lo robado no luceL: That which is stolen does not shineD: Whatever a person steals cannot easily be used or shown off by that person, because it will be easy to discover them

Lo último que se pierde es la esperanzaL: The last that is lost is hope



L: Children and fools tell the truth

Los ojos son el espejo del almaL: Eyes are the mirror of the soulD: A person’s eyes are what reveal most about who the person is, and what his soul is like

MMadre es la que cría, no la que pareL: Mother is the one that raises, not the one that gives birthD: Phrase that emphasizes the importance of raising a child over the importance of giving birth to the child

Mal de muchos, consuelo de tontosL: Bad of many, condolence of foolsD: Idea that it is much easier to accept misfortune when other people are in the same situationE: To be in the same boat

E Mañana será otro día

D: For all the problems that someone may encounter, there is always at least a small amount of hope that the situations will be resolved

Lo único que le falta es sarna para rascarseL: The only thing missing is mange to scratchD: Humorous way of saying that the person has everything that he/she could ever want or needE: Someone is loaded (as in rich, not drunk)

Los niños y los borrachos siempre dicen la verdadL: Children and drunks always tell the truthD: Because of lack of inhibitions or lack of conscience, both children and drunks say what comes to mind, without considering the consequences. They are prone to tell the truth even if it is insulting or painful for someone



So the phrase means to be extremely drunkE: Drunk as a skunk, Drunk out of his mind

Más bravo que un ajíL: More bold than a hot pepperD: Someone that is bold or daring

Más cerrado que un tubo de radioL: More closed than a radio tubeD: Really dumb

H Más claro no canta un galloL: A rooster does not sing more clearlyD: The situation cannot be made any clearer. Either you get it or you don’tS: Más claro que el agua

Más claro que el aguaL: Clearer than waterD: The situation cannot be made any clearerS: Más claro no canta un gallo

L: Tomorrow will be another dayD: The future will bring better times, helping a person to resolve pending problems or bring better newsE: Tomorrow is another day

H Martes, ni te cases ni te embarques, ni de tu familia te apartesL: Tuesday, nor get married, nor embark, nor from your family separateD: Stay at home, do not travel, this is a reference to Tuesday being the day of bad luck (like Friday the 13th). It is better to lay low on Tuesday the 13th than go out and risk bad luck

Más ahumado que un trapo de una planchaL: More smoked than an ironing board clothD: This phrase is a play on words in Spanish. The word ahumado means to be smoked or burned, but the word ajumado (when pronounced there is only a slight sound difference) means to be drunk.



mixed up situation

Más feo que darle a su madreL: Uglier than giving it to (refers to beating) your motherD: A really bad or “ugly” situation

H Más feo que mandado a hacer

Más concentrado que el jugo de chinaL: More concentrated than orange juiceD: To be extremely focused or wrapped up in something

Más contento que perro con dos rabosL: More content than a dog with two tailsD: Very, very happyE: As happy as a clam, Happy as a lark

MMás cuadrada que una neveraL: Squarer than a refrigeratorD: This phrase is used to describe a woman’s figure. Obviously it is not very flattering for a woman to be compared to the shape of a refrigerator

Más enredado que un plato de espaguettisL: More tangled than a plate of spaghettiD: An extremely confusing or

Más cuadrada que una nevera



Más jincho que nalga de monja

L: Uglier than made to orderD: Something that is extremely ugly

MMás feo que una patada en la caraL: Uglier than a kick in the faceD: A really, really ugly personE: Butt-ugly

Más hace el que quiere que el que puedeL: More is done by he who wants than he who canD: When a person is driven to achieve something, in spite of large obstacles, he is more likely to achieve it than the person that has no obstacles and can easily achieve the same objectiveE: Genius is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration

Más huevos que una arencaL: More eggs than a tortoiseD: The person makes a lot of mistakes or screws up

a lot

Más jincho que nalga de monjaL: Paler than a nun’s butt cheekD: Extremely white or paleS: Más jincho que un sobaco de monjaE: As white as snow

Más jincho que un sobaco de monja



L: Paler than a nun’s armpitD: Extremely pale, apparently because a nun’s armpits never see the light of dayS: Más jincho que nalga de monjaE: As white as snow

H Más lechu’ que un palo e’ tetasL: Milkier than a stick of teats (tits)D: An extremely lucky person; depending on how vulgar the speaker wants to be the word tetas can be understood as teats or as tits

Más lento que un suero de breaL: Slower than a tar IVD: Extremely slowS: Más lento que una caravana de cojosE: Slower than molasses

Más lento que una caravana de cojosL: Slower than a caravan of cripplesD: Extremely slowS: Más lento que un suero de breaE: Slower than molasses

Más lento que una caravana de cojos



Más loco que las cabrasL: Crazier than the goatsD: To be really crazy, out there or wacky

Más malo que un límber de gasL: Worse than a gasoline popsicleD: Something really bad, you can imagine what a gasoline popsicle would taste like! If you’re not sure, try it!

Más negro que el fondo de una ollaL: Blacker than the bottom of a potD: Something extremely black

Más pelado que un chuchoL: Balder than a mongrelD: Someone that has no moneyE: Flat broke, All tapped out

H Más pesado que un matrimonio mal llevadoL: More difficult than a badly handled marriageD: Something extremely difficult to deal with

H Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diabloL: The devil is wiser for being old than for being the devilD: This phrase highlights the wisdom that comes with age. In this case, just being the Devil does not mean he is wise, but because he is older he gained most of his wisdom through life’s experiences

Más salado que un bacalaoL: Saltier than a cod fishD: To be very, very unlucky

Más vale cobarde vivo que héroe muertoL: A live coward is worth more than a dead heroD: It is best to not risk one’s own life for heroic purposes

H Más vale estar solo que (estar) mal acompañadoL: It is worth more being alone than being poorly accompaniedD: It is better to be alone, than to be with someone that annoys you.



Más vale llegar a tiempo que ser invitadoL: It is worth more to be on time than to be invitedD: It is more advantageous to enter a place at the right moment than it is to be invited there in the first place. This phrase is used when a person arrives somewhere uninvited and they are just about to serve dinner

Más vale maña que fuerzaL: Worth more is skill than forceD: Many things that cannot be resolved with strength, will be resolved by the mind. It is more important to think through a problem, than to force it with brute strengthE: Brains over brawn

H Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volandoL: A bird in the hand is worth more than 100 flyingD: Something is worth more if you have it than something greater that has been promised to you but you don’t have yetE: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Más vale prevenir que tener que lamentarL: It is worth more to prevent than to have to lamentD: It is best to prepare and avoid bad situations than to have it happen and have to be sorry that it happened. Highlights the need for preparation to avoid unpleasant situationsE: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Más vale tarde que nuncaL: It is worth more late than neverD: It is better to do something later than needed, rather than never doing itE: Better late than never

Más vale tierra en cuerpo, que cuerpo en tierraL: It is worth more earth on the body than body in the earthD: Having something is worth more than having nothing. Phrase used to answer someone that is complaining because that person is not content with what he/she received



E: Be happy with what you’ve been given

Más vale tuerto, que muertoL: One-eyed is worth more than deadD: If you have to choose between two poor options, choose the least damaging. In this saying, it is implied that it is better to be one-eyed than to be dead, given the choice

Más vale un hoy, que dos mañanasL: One today is worth more than two tomorrowsD: It is best to accept that which is already known, rather than opt for something that may or may not occur in the future, even if the future may offer more. Accept the surer of two optionsE: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Más viejo es el viento y aún soplaL: Older is the wind and it still blowsD: Just because something is old does not mean it stops

working, or does not have value

MMás viejo que cagar sentadoL: Older than shitting seatedD: Extremely old, sometimes used in reference to a joke that was just told

H Más viejo que el fríoL: Older than coldD: Extremely oldS: Más viejo que MatuselenE: As old as the hills

Más viejo que MatusalenL: Older than MethuselahD: Really, really old. Methuselah was a Bible figure who lived to be more than 900 years oldS: Más viejo que el fríoE: As old as the hills

Matar dos pájaros de un tiroL: Kill two birds with one shotD: To do two things at once. For example, go to the store to buy groceries and while you’re there get your hair cut



E: Kill two birds with one stone

Me viene como anillo al dedoL: It becomes me as a ring on the fingerD: Means that the gift that was given was exactly what you needed. For example, if you were just about to go out and buy a pair of dark, blue jeans, and two days before you go out to buy them, your best friend gived you a pair of dark, blue jeans as a giftE: A perfect match, Just what I needed

Meter la pataL: To stick in the footD: Mess something up by mistakeE: To screw up. To put your foot in your mouth

Meterse en camisa de once varasL: Get into a shirt of eleven rodsD: Get oneself into big, big problems, especially when it wasn’t necessary

E: Opened up a can of worms

Meterse en la boca del loboL: To stick oneself in the mouth of the wolfD: To voluntarily put yourself in a dangerous situation

E Mientras haya vida, hay esperanzaL: While there is life, there is hopeD: Phrase used in grave situations to remind others that there is still hope (that the person will recover from the disease, car accident, etc.)E: While there’s life, there’s hope

Mientras menos perros menos pulgasL: While there are less dogs, less fleasD: The further away you are from a situation, the less involved and less problems you will have

Moro viejo, mal cristianoL: Old Moor, bad Christian



D: Once a person has thoughts or ideas ingrained in them, he/she will never be able to change his/her habitsE: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Mucho ayuda quien no estorbaL: Much help he who does not hinderD: Mentions that by not standing in you way, a person can be helpful, even if they don’t actively help achieve what you want. At least they didn’t block you

Mucho ruido y pocas nuecesL: A lot of noise and few nutsD: A lot of talking but never anything of substanceE: All bark and no bite

E Muchos caciques y pocos indiosL: Many chiefs and few indiansD: There are too many people in charge, ordering others around, and not enough people actually workingE: Too many chiefs and not enough indians

Muchos caciques y pocos indios



E Muchos cocineros dañan la comidaL: Many cooks damage the foodD: When a lot of people are involved in a project, it often comes out worse than it would have if fewer people were involved. Everyone starts to voice their own opinion and ends up damaging the project, or not even finishing itE: Too many cooks spoil the broth

H Muerto ¿quieres misa?L: Dead person, do you want mass?D: Phrase that highlights the how illogical what the person is asking for is. Obviously if a person is dead, he does not need to go to mass

Muerto el perro, se acabaron las pulgasL: Dead the dog, the fleas are finishedD: Whenever a relationship ends badly, this phrase says that it is better that the relationship

ends, so that all the conflicts are avoided

Músico pagado no toca bienL: A paid musician plays poorlyD: Points out that a motivated person is important to achieving what you want. Once the person gets what they want (in this phrase, the musician is paid) he is less likely to perform well

NNacer en cuna de oroL: To be born in a golden cribD: To be born in to a rich familyE: Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth

Nada puede dar quien nada tieneL: Nobody can give who nothing hasD: If you do not have anything to share, of course, you cannot share it



Nadie aprende por cabeza ajenaL: Nobody learns from someone else’s headD: Each person must learn from his or her own experiences, and not from others telling themS: Nadie escarmienta en cabeza ajena

Nadie da nada a cambio de nadaL: Nobody gives anything in exchange for nothingD: It is expected that if a person wants or needs something, then he/she has to give something else in returnE: Nothing in life is free

Nadie es profeta en su tierra [pueblo]L: Nobody is prophet in their land [town]D: A person often can pass unrecognized or unappreciated among friends, but when people not in regular contact with the person see his virtues, they are recognized and appreciated

E: A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country

Nadie escarmienta en cabeza ajenaL: Nobody learns lessons from someone else’s headD: Each person must learn from his or her own experiences, and not from others telling themS: Nadie aprende por cabeza ajena

Nadie sabe lo que hay en la olla más que la cuchara que lo mueve [menea]L: Nobody knows what is in the pot better than the spoon that moves [stirs] itD: The best person to know what is going on in a situation is the one that is most intimately involved, or is close to the persons involved

Nadie sabe lo que tiene hasta que lo pierdeL: Nobody knows what he has until it is lostD: A person does not recognize the importance of something



or someone until it is no longer availableE: You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone

H Nadie te dio vela en este entierroL: No one gave you a candle at this burialD: No one invited you (intoa conversation or activity)

Nadie tiene letrero en la frenteL: Nobody has a sign on the foreheadD: People are hard to read and understand. Since there is no type of information displayed (on the forehead) there is no easy way to understand people

Nadie tiene letrero en la frente



No cambies oro por cobreL: Do not change gold for copperD: Advice to avoid changing something of value for something else of less valueS: Cambiar chinas por botellas

No cantes victoria antes de tiempoL: Don’t sing victory before it is time

D: Do not assume that you have won or achieved your goal until the process is complete. Assuming you will maintain your position until the end is a mistake, and can cause you to failE: Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched

No cojas el tizón por lo encendidoL: Don’t grab the brand by the lit end

No cambies oro por cobre



D: When dealing with someone that has been insulted, be sure not to make things worse

E No cruces el puente antes de llegar a élL: Don’t cross the bridge before getting thereD: Do not try to solve the problem until it actually becomes a problem and needs to be addressed. Don’t think too far ahead on something that may not happenE: Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it

No da un tajo ni en defensa propiaL: Does not give even a slice in his own defenseD: A person does nothing to protect himself. This could be used literally (as in a fight) or figuratively (as in a court case)E: To not defend oneself

E No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoyL: Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today

D: Advises you to do something as soon as possible, there is no reason to postpone itDon’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today

E No eches más leña al fuegoL: Do not throw more coal on the fireD: Do not make things worse, generally in reference to a conflict between peopleE: Don’t add fuel to the fire

No ensucies el agua para después tomártelaL: Do not dirty the water so afterwards you may drink itD: Do not chastise or punish someone for something that you may do in the futureS: No tire piedras si tiene techo de cristalE: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones

No es lo mismo con violín que con guitarraL: It is not the same with violin as with guitarD: When seeing a bad situation



from outside, it may appear much easier to solve than it would be if you were actually part of the situation

No es lo mismo decirlo que hacerloL: It is not the same to say it as to do itD: Talking about something is not enough to prove your genuine interest, you must also show it through actionsE: Actions speak louder than words

No es lo mismo llamar al Diablo que verlo venirL: It is not the same to call the Devil as to see him comingD: There is a big difference between knowing about a danger and actually being in the middle of it

No es lo mismo ni se escribe igualL: It is not the same nor is it written equallyD: It is not even close to being the same thingE: Mix apples and oranges

No es nada del otro mundoL: It is nothing of the other worldD: No big deal, nothing to get excited (or worked up) aboutE: Nothing to write home about

No es tan fiero el león como lo pintanL: The lion is not as fierce as he is paintedD: A situation is not as complex or dangerous as was originally thought or portrayed by others

No hables por boca ajenaL: Do not speak for someone else’s mouthD: Let others speak for themselves. This avoids confusion as to what their words and opinions areE: Do not put words in his mouth

No hagas hoy lo que no quieres que te hagan a ti mañanaL: Don’t do today that which you do not want them to do to you tomorrowD: Treat others as you would like to be treated



L: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

No hay mal que dure cien años ni cuerpo que lo resistaL: There is nothing bad that lasts one hundred years nor any body that resists itD: Every problem has a solution, however far off it may appear

H No hay mal que por bien no vengaL: There is no bad that for a good reason does not comeD: Something that initially appears bad is often followed by something positive or a better situation. For example, you are fired from your job but two days later you get an offer at twice your old salary and you start immediatelyE: Good things are around the corner

No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere verL: There is no worse blind person than he that does not want to see

D: There is nothing worse than a person so stubborn that he/she will not listen to reasonE: There’s none so deaf as those who will not hear

No hay peor gestión que la que no se haceL: There is no worse action than that which is not doneD: It is better to try something and fail than to not attempt it, and never know what would have happened.

No hay regla sin excepciónL: No rule is without exceptionD: However detailed you define a rule, there will always be situations that require exceptionsE: There is an exception to every rule

No hay rosas sin espinasL: There are no roses without thornsD: For as beautiful as roses are, there is some work involved removing the thorns before they can be fully appreciated



E: Nothing’s for free

No lo salvan ni las once mil vírgenesL: Even the eleven thousand virgins do not save himD: see Le debe a las once mil vírgenes

E No mata ni una moscaL: Doesn’t kill even a flyD: A harmless person. The person is so nice that he/she won’t even kill something as annoying as a flyE: Won’t harm a fly

E No mates la gallina de los huevos de oroL: Don’t kill the chicken that lays the gold eggsD: To destroy a good situation, because of greed in an attempt to make it even betterE: Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg

No me vengas con ese cuentoL: Don’t come to me with that storyD: That’s a horrible excuse, don’t even try to pass that by

meS: A otro perro con ese huesoE: You’re full of it

No metas la mano en el fuego por nadieL: Do not stick your hand in fire for anyoneD: Advises to not defend anyone to the point that you risk yourself, since you may be surprised to find that they are in fact guilty

H No por mucho madrugar amanece más tempranoL: Not for getting up early, the sun comes up earlierD: More effort does not necessarily mean more success

No se pierde ni un bautismo de muñecaL: He does not miss even a baptism of a dollD: Pokes fun at someone that appears at all types of social events, no matter how insignificant they are (like a doll’s baptism). This could be because the person is vain or likes to get free food



No se puede tapar el cielo [sol] con una manoL: One cannot cover the sky [sun] with one handD: Points out to someone that he/she is trying to hide something unhideable, something obvious to everyone

No sólo hay que ser bueno, sino demostrarloL: One must not only be good, but also demonstrate itD: Even if you are a good person, you need to be careful not to do things that others may see as being bad

No son todos los que están, ni están todos los que sonL: They are not all that are here, nor are here all that areD: This is all there is, there’s nothing more

No sufras por calenturas ajenas

L: Do not suffer for others’ angersD: People need to separate their problems from the problems of others. It doesn’t do a person any good to get involved in other peoples’ business

No te duermas en las pajasL: Do not sleep in the strawD: Pay attention to your own personal affairsE: Keep on top of things

No te lo despinta nadieL: No one can unpaint it from youD: There are some things in life that no matter what happens, cannot be taken away from you. For example, your achievements and memories can never been taken away from youE: No one can take it away from you



H No tiene ni dos dedos de frenteL: He does not have even two fingers of a foreheadD: Refers to a really stupid person. The implication here is that because the person has a small head (not even two fingers fit on the forehead) he/she is dumb

No tire piedras si tiene techo de cristalL: Don’t throw rocks if you have a crystal roofD: Be careful about criticizing someone, because you may make the same mistakes (in behavior, personality)S: No ensucies el agua para después tomártelaE: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones

E No todo lo que brilla es oroL: Not everything that glitters is goldD: Just because something looks expensive or worthwhile, does not mean that it necessarily is

E: All that glitters is not gold

No todo lo que guinda se caeL: Not everything that hangs fallsD: Just because a situation is doubtful or about to fail does not mean that there is no hope, there are still things that can be done to turn around the situation

Nunca digas “de esa agua no beberé”L: Never say “from that water I will not drink”D: It is too easy to have to go back on your word if you say NEVERE: Never say never

Nunca es tarde si la dicha es buenaL: It is never late if the happiness is goodD: A person should enjoy and celebrate a good moment, even if the best moment is past. In other words, enjoy the good times in life, even if you think that the best moment is gone



OO te peinas o te haces rolosL: Or brush your hair or you roll itD: Just make a decision, one way or the otherE: Make up your mind

E Ojo por ojo, diente por dienteL: Eye for eye, tooth for toothD: An eye for an eye

H Ojos que no ven, corazón que no sienteL: Eyes that don’t see, heart that doesn’t feelD: It is much easier to deal with a painful situation if you do not actually see reminders of it (ex. Seeing your old boyfriend with his wife and kids)E: Ignorance is bliss, Out of sight out of mind, What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t feel

Olvídate, más se perdió en la guerraL: Forget it, more was lost in the warD: Forget about it. In the full range of losses in the world, it wasn’t that importantE: No big deal

Oye, mira y callaL: Listen, watch and be quiet

O te peinas o te haces rolos



D: A wise piece of advice, sharing that more can be learned by observing than by talkingE: Still waters run deep

PPaga para que te acreditenL: Pay so that they credit youD: see El que paga se acredita

Pagan justos por pecadoresL: They pay the just for the sinnersD: Innocent people are often blamed for the sins of the guilty

Palabras son palabrasL: Words are wordsD: Words are just that, words. They may be true or false, but unless backed up by actions, they mean very little

Palo que nace doblado jamás su tronco enderezaL: Tree that is born bent never straightens its trunkD: Pessimistic phrase that believes that people cannot

change. Once a person is bad, he/she will always be badE: A tiger cannot change its stripes

Palo si boga, y palo si no bogaL: Beating if one rows and beating if one does not rowD: No matter what you do, you’re going to get punished. You might as well accept the punishment, because there’s no way around itE: You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t

MPara al carajo albañil, que se acabó la mezclaL: Go to hell mason, the mix has run outD: I’m out of hereE: Enough is enough, That’s all she wrote

Para atrás ni para coger impulsoL: Backwards not even to go forwardsD: Keep advancing, keep moving forward



Para buen entendedor, pocas palabrasL: For a good understander, few wordsD: A good communicator does not need to speak excessively, he/she can get the idea across with few words

E Para hacerte el cuento cortoL: To tell you the short storyD: To keep things short, to give one the short versionE: To make a long story short

H Para lo que falta, que venga el restoL: For what is missing, let the rest comeD: Phrase used by a person in a difficult situation. Highlights that so much has already happened that anything else will not make things worseE: Might as well get it over with

Para los gustos, los coloresL: For tastes, colorsD: People’s tastes vary as much as there are colors in the world

S: Sobre los gustos no hay nada escritoE: To each his own, Different strokes for different folks

Para muestra, con un botón bastaL: For a sample, with one button, sufficientD: A bad situation does not require numerous examples, it is enough to have one sample of the problem (ex. Your son does not need to steal 5 times for you to realize he has a problem, once is enough)

Para nadar hay que tirarse al aguaL: To swim one must jump into the waterD: To achieve something, it may be necessary to take risks and move forward without knowing the consequences to achieve itE: You pays your man and you takes your chances, No pain, no gain

Para que falte, que sobreL: For whenever it lacks, extra



D: Advice that to be prepared for periods of shortfall, it is wise to work in the present and save extra

Para que se pierda, que me haga dañoL: For it to be lost, that it does me damageD: Better to keep using something, even after you don’t need it, rather than throwing it away and wasting it. For example, the person that is full, but continues to eat, to avoid throwing away the extra lobster

Para todo hay que esperar, hasta para la muerteL: For everything one must wait, even for deathD: Often heard in lines (at the bank, cash register, etc.) when people complain about how long the line is. Means get used to it, because you have to wait for everything in life

Pasa hasta en las mejores familiasL: It happens even in the best families

D: Comment made when a friend is passing through an embarrassing situation, says that it’s not his fault, that the same thing could happen to anyoneE: Happens to the best of them

Pasar el susto de la vacaL: Pass the scare of the cowD: Scared out of your mind, scared to death

E Pasar la prueba de fuegoL: To pass the test of fireD: The person obtained the approval of others (ex. Your boyfriend was accepted by your parents)

Pedir más que la Cruz RojaL: To ask more than the Red CrossD: A person that is always begging for help from others

Perfume bueno viene en frasco pequeñoL: Good perfume comes in a small containerD: More of something is not always better



E: Good things come in small packages

H Perro flaco soñando con longanizaL: Thin dog dreaming of sausageD: A person that lives beyond their means. Someone has a little money so goes out and buys an expensive car, but cannot make even the first payment

E Perro que ladra no muerdeL: Dog that barks doesn’t biteD: A person makes a lot of noise, argues or complains a lot but does not actually follow through with his threatsE: His bark is worse than his bite

E Perro viejo no aprende trucos nuevosL: Old dog does not learn new tricksD: When someone is set in their ways, or older, you cannot convince them to try something new or different

Perro viejo no aprende trucos nuevos



E: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Piensa mal y acertarásL: Think badly and you will be rightD: If a person thinks negatively then he or she will see everything in a negative light, and will prove themselves right. It is a circle that does not allow the person to see things positively

Pillar con las manos en la masaL: Catch with the hands in the doughD: Caught in the actE: Caught red-handed, Caught with a hand in the cookie jar

Poner el cabro a velar las lechugasL: To put the goat guarding the lettuceD: To put someone in charge that will do exactly what is trying to be avoided. To risk something by putting

the wrong person in charge. For example, put a criminal in charge of the jailE: The fox guarding the chicken coop

Por la boca muere el pezL: For the mouth dies the fishD: A gossip that causes problems for himself/herself and others because of running his/her mouthS: El pez muere por la boca

Por oro baila el monoL: For gold dances a monkeyD: For money some people are capable of doing anything, even something that denigrates themselves

H Por una teta no fue vacaL: For one teat it wasn’t a cowD: Something that is not whole, that is missing a partS: Si tuviera manubrio, sería bicicleta



Predicar la moral en calzoncillosL: To preach morality in one’s underwearD: Criticizes people that speak about morality but do not then live their lives according to their own preachingS: Predicar la moral en el desiertoE: Does not practice what he preaches

Predicar la moral en el desiertoL: Preach morality in the desertD: It is of no use to preach your ideas where no one can hear youS: Predicar la moral en calzoncillos

Pred icar l a mora l en calzoncillos

Predicar la moral en el desierto



Preguntando, se llega a RomaL: Asking, one arrives to RomeD: By asking the help of others, anything is achievable

Prieto color telefonoL: Black, color of a telephoneD: Really, really blackE: Black as coal

Pueblo chiquito, campana grandeL: Small town, large bellD: When a person or group has a complex about their lack of something, they tend to overcompensate, even to the point of looking ridiculous (ex.

Someone that does not have a lot of money, will spend more than possible on jewelry, cars, etc., only to show off)S: Pueblo pequeño, infierno grande

QQue tu mano izquierda no sepa lo que hace la derechaL: That your left hand does not know what the right hand doesD: A person or group of people are uncoordinated in their attempts to achieve something. Half of the group goes one way, and the other half, the other way. They end up working against each other

Que tu mano izquierda no sepa lo que hace la derecha



Quedarse sin la soga y sin la cabra

sin la cabraE: Bite off more than you can chew

Quedarse sin la soga y sin la cabraL: To remain without the rope and without the goatD: A person that tries to take or grab too much, and ends up with nothingS: Quedarse sin el plato y la comidaE: Bite off more than you can chew

Quedarse con los pelos de puntaL: Remain with one’s hairs on endD: To be extremely scared or creeped out by somethingE: To have one’s hair stand on end, To be scared out of your mind

Quedarse para vestir santosL: To remain to dress saintsD: An old maid, an unmarried older woman

Quedarse sin el plato y la comidaL: He was left without the plate and the foodD: see Quedarse sin la soga y



Quien anda mal, acaba malL: Whomever walks badly finishes badlyD: Anyone that handles his life poorly (uses drugs, steals, etc.) can expect that his life will end poorly as well (in jail, dead, etc.)S: El que mal anda mal acaba

Quien bien empieza, bien acabaL: He who begins well finishes wellD: Something that is started properly will be finished sooner. You will also have more success than something that begins poorly and must later be changed or redoneE: Well begun is half done

¿Quién le pone el cascabel al gato?L: Who puts the bell on the cat?D: Means to volunteer oneself in a difficult situation or for a difficult taskE: Step up to the plate, Step up to bat

Quien lo hereda, no lo hurtaL: Whomever inherits it, does not steal itD: Phrase pointing out that a characteristic has been inherited from the parents. May be something physical or a personality traitE: A chip off the old block

Quien no se arriesga, no lo lograL: He who does not risk, does not achieveD: A person must take risks in life to succeed. If you are not able to take risks, you will not achieve anythingE: No pain, no gain

Quiere estar con Dios y con el DiabloL: He wants to be with God and with the DevilD: Describes a person that wants to be in good graces with everyone. This person never opposes anyone else



RRecordar es vivirL: To remember is to liveD: Idea that remembering something is a way to make sure that an idea or person does not die off

E Roma no se hizo en un díaL: Rome was not built in a dayD: It takes time to achieve grand thingsE: Rome was not built in a day

SSacar los trapos al solL: To take out the rags into the sunD: Reveal someone’s secrets, bring things out into the open

Salió por lana y volvió trasquiladoL: He went out for wool and came back shearedD: Describes someone that sets off on something promising and comes back having failed, but also with a bad reputation

Salir de Guatemala y meterse en GuatapeorL: To leave Guatemala and go into GuatapeorD: This is a play on words in Spanish with the name of the country Guatemala. The word mala means bad, and peor means worse, so one leaves Guatebad and goes into Guateworse

Salir el tiro por la culataL: The shot comes out through the breechD: Something turns out the exact opposite of what you hoped or planned for

H Salir para San Juan y coger para PonceL: To leave for San Juan and turn for PonceD: Describes a person without direction, someone that changes his or her mind at the drop of a hat. The person starts out with one objective in mind and half way there changes destinations



Se acuerdan de Santa Bárbara nada más que cuando truenaL: They are reminded of Saint Barbara only when it thundersD: Describes the person that prays only when he/she is in a rough situation and needs something, but never in good times

E Se come para vivir, no se vive para comerL: One eats to live, one does not live to eatD: Points out that eating excessively is not good. The idea of eating is to maintain the body healthy, but overdoing it can have negative effects on a personE: Eat to live, not live to eat

Se hace lo que se puedeL: One does what one canD: Some things are just not possible to accomplish. A person can only do what is physically possible, otherwise it is out of their controlE: You do what you can

Se les da una uña y cogen hasta el codoL: They give them a nail and the grab up to the elbowD: Some people abuse the generosity of others (ex. Your brother needs a place to stay for a couple days and ends up remaining a month)S: Te doy pon y quieres guiar, Te doy un dedo y me quieres coger el brazoE: Give someone an inch and he will take a mile

Se quedó vestida y “alboratá”L: She remained dressed and excitedD: Refers to the bride that was left waiting at the altar, and the groom never showed up. Often used figuratively referring to someone that was abandoned at the last momentE: Left at the altar, Left out to dry

MSe quiere tirar el peo más arriba del culoL: He wants to fart from above his ass



D: 1. To be extremely self-centered. 2. To live beyond your means

Seguro es el pájaro en el nidoL: Safe is the bird in the nestD: A person’s home is often where he/she feels most secureE: There’s no place like home

Sentirse como un billete de cien pesosL: To feel like a hundred dollar billD: To feel really good about somethingE: To feel like a million bucks

Ser como el aceite y el vinagreL: To be like oil and vinegarD: To not go together at all, to not get along together, a bad mixE: To mix like oil and water

Ser jíbaro es cosa malaL: To be a hick is a bad thingD: Phrase poking fun at hicks or country folk not accustomed to city life

Serás esclavo de lo que digas y dueño de lo que guardesL: You will be slave of what you say and owner of what you saveD: Advises a person to keep their mouth shut. Once something is said, it can be used against you and you are held responsible for it, but if you keep it to yourself, nothing bad can come of it

Si del cielo te caen limones, aprende a hacer limonadaL: If from heaven lemons fall on you, learn to make lemonadeD: Whenever you confront a difficult situation, if you can turn it around, you may actually come out better than beforeE: Make the best of a bad situation

Si el río suena, es porque agua traeL: If the river talks it is because it brings water



D: There must be some truth to the rumor. Used in response to someone that questions the truth of a rumor. Affirms that more often than not rumors are based, at least partially, in truthS: Cuando el río suena es porque algo traeE: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

E Si la montaña no viene a Mahoma, Mahoma va a la montañaL: If the mountain does not come to Mohammed, Mohammed goes to the mountainD: Phrase that points out that if you do not achieve what you want by waiting for people to come to you, go to them and make it happenE: If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain

H Si no es Juan, es PedroL: If it is not Juan (John), it is Pedro (Peter)

D: Used to highlight that someone is always involved in the same situation, over and over. Examples are a student always in trouble at school or a person that always makes excuses for being late to workE: If it’s not one thing, it’s another

Si no puedes contra el enemigo, únete a élL: If you cannot against your enemy, unite with himD: If you cannot beat someone, it is better to be allied with them. That way you will benefit from their successE: If you can’t beat’em, join’em

Si tu mal no tiene cura, ¿por qué te apuras?L: If your disease has no cure, what’s your hurry?D: If there’s nothing you can do about a situation, don’t dwell on it or worry about it



Si tuviera manubrio, sería bicicletaL: If it had handlebars it would be a bicycleD: A piece is missing to make something wholeS: Por una teta no fue vaca

Siembra semillas y frutos recogerásL: Sow seeds and results you will collectD: Advice that highlights the need to work, to later receive the results. Obviously, without planting seeds, there would be nothing to collect later

Siempre habla quien menos puedeL: Always speaks he who least canD: Generally the person least in the position to criticize others, is the one speaking. This person does not realize that the faults he is criticizing are the same ones he has

Sobre los gustos no hay nada escritoL: About tastes there is nothing writtenD: Every person has a right to his individual tastes, even though they may be gaudy, bad or uglyS: Para los gustos, los coloresE: To each his own, There’s no accounting for tastes, Different strokes for different folks

Somos muchos los hijos del muertoL: We are many the sons of deathD: Phrase commenting that a group of people are all in the same situationE: To all be in the same boat

Son como dos jueyes machos en la misma cuevaL: They are like two male crabs in the same caveD: Always fighting, arguing or bickeringS: Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva



Soñar no cuesta nadaL: To dream costs nothingD: Supports the notion that people should dream. Since it does not cost anything, and it can bring positive feelings to people, there is no reason not to do it

Soy como Santo Tomás, ver para creerL: I am like Saint Thomas, see to believeD: By using this phrase a person communicates their doubt about a situation. The person is saying that they need more evidence to believe itE: Seeing is believing

T

H Tal para cualL: Such for eachD: A perfect match, whether in be in a romantic sense or just two friends that get along extremely wellE: Made for each other, Like two peas in a pod

Tan linda la jaula y tan feo el pichónL: So pretty the cage and so ugly the birdD: Points out the stark contrast of two things (ex. A beautiful, expensive house, with owners that are dirty, disgusting or low class)

Tanto está la gotera sobre la piedra hasta que hace el rotoL: So much is the drip over the rock until it breaks itD: Getting on someone’s case until they explode from being bothered and annoyed so muchE: The straw that broke the camel’s back

Tanto gre-gre para decir GregorioL: So much gre-gre to say GregoryD: Describes a person that talks a lot without saying anything



H Tanto nadar para morir en la orillaL: So much swimming to die on the edge of the waterD: So much effort to just fall short of the objective

Tanto va el cántaro a la fuente, hasta que se rompeL: So much goes the jug to the fountain, until it breaksD: Describes a person that takes the same risks repeatedly until he/she finally ends up succumbing to them

H Te doy pon y quieres guiarL: I give you a lift and you want to driveD: Take advantage of someone. You try to help a friend out and he ends up abusing the situationS: Se les da una uña y cogen hasta el codo, Te doy un dedo y me quieres coger el brazoE: Give someone an inch and he will take a mile

Te doy un dedo y me quieres coger el brazoL: I give you a finger and you want to take my armD: Take advantage of someone. You try to help a friend out and he ends up abusing the situationS: Se les da una uña y cogen hasta el codo, Te doy pon y quieres guiarE: Give someone an inch and he will take a mile

Te estás curando en saludL: You are curing in healthD: A person that jumps ahead giving explanations or excuses about a situation, before they are asked. This phrase is subtly says that the person is admitting his guiltE: Never ask pardon before you are accused, He who excuses himself accuses himself

Tener algo en la punta de la lenguaL: To have something on the tip of the tongue



Tener cosas de perro capadoL: To have things of a castrated dogD: To be weird, strange

MTener hormiguillas en el culoL: To have ants in your ass hole

D: You are close to remembering something, but can’t quite pull it togetherE: On the tip of the tongue

D: To be restless or not be able to sit stillE: To have ants in your pants

Tener más contactos que un transformadorL: To have more contacts than a transformerD: To have a lot of connections or influence

Tener más sombra que un palo de mangóL: To have more shade than a mango treeD: Says that someone uses too much makeup. The phrase is a play on words with the word sombra which can mean shade or eye shadow

Tener más vidas que un gatoL: To have more lives than a catD: To be really lucky, to continually escape from dangerous, negative or bad situationsE: Like a cat with nine lives

Tener algo en la punta de la lengua



Tienes una nota, que ni Beethoven te la tocaL: You have a note that not even Beethoven plays it for youD: To be drunk or wasted

Tirar la piedra y esconder la manoL: To throw the rock and hide the handD: Describes a person that causes trouble, and then hides the blame or passes it off on others

Tocan con los ojos y miran con las manosL: Touch with the eyes and watch with the handsD: Advice generally given from a parent to the child, to keep them from touching something and in the process breaking itE: Look with your eyes not your hands

Toda carrera tiene su finL: Every race has its finishD: Motivational phrase to help people that are worn out after great effort to achieve

something. There will be an end to the effort

Todo depende del color del cristal con que se mireL: Everything depends on the color of the crystal with which you lookD: A person’s view of a situation can change how the situation is interpreted. It is possible to see either the positive side or the negative side, depending on how the person approaches itE: It all depends on your point of view

Todo el mundo es generoso dando lo que no es de ellosL: The whole world is generous giving that which is not theirsD: People can be extremely generous giving away something that is not theirs, that does not affect them in any way (ex. Your friend comes over and offers everyone else the most expensive wine and liquor that you have in the house)



Todo en exceso hace dañoL: Everything in excess does damageD: Anything that is overdone can be harmfulE: Moderation in all things, Too much of a good thing

Todo lo prieto no es morcillaL: Everything black is not blood sausageD: Do not be tricked by how someone or something may initially appearE: Appearances can be deceiving

E Todo lo que sube tiene que bajarL: Everything that rises must come downD: Phrase that can be used enviously in reference to someone that has moved up in life (the corporate ladder, social class, etc.), highlighting that the person will eventually fall back to where he startedE: What goes up must come down

Todo los días se tira un bobo a la calleL: Every day a fool is thrown to the streetD: Observation that there will always be someone that can be cheatedE: There’s a sucker born every minute

Todo tiempo pasado fue mejorL: All past time was betterD: Phrase often used by older people that have a hard time accepting the changes in the world. They are reminiscent of good times past

Tú puedes decirme papá y no pierdesL: You can say to me papa and not loseD: Phrase used to express that the person is like family

Tú quieres que el león me comaL: You want the lion to eat meD: Why risk something when it’s not worth it



U

H Un clavo saca otro clavoL: A nail removes another nailD: A negative situation will be forgotten by something else that happens, either another negative thing or something positive

Un conejo [burro] hablando del tamaño de las orejasL: A rabbit [burro] talking about the size of one’s earsD: A person making fun of someone else, without realizing that he/she has the same flaw which is the object of ridiculeS: Un muerto hablando de un ahorcadoE: The pot calling the kettle black

Un mal, con un bien se pagaL: A bad with a good is paidD: By doing something good you can negate whatever bad was originally perceived

Un muerto hablando de un ahorcadoL: A dead person talking about the strangled personD: see Un conejo [burro]

Un conejo [burro] hablando del tamaño de las orejas

hablando del tamaño de las orejas

Una batalla no gana una guerraL: One battle does not win a warD: Just because a person achieved something, it does not mean that the final objective has been reached. The other people involved may use this phrase to highlight their resolve to turn around their fortune



E: The war’s not over yet

E Una manzana podrida daña el barrilL: A rotten apple damages the whole barrelD: One bad person in a group can make the whole group look badE: The rotten apple spoils the barrel

E Una sola golondrina no hace veranoL: One swallow does not make summerD: Do not jump to conclusions based on one fact. For example, just because your boss is in a meeting does not mean that layoffs are comingE: One swallow does not a summer make

Una sonrisa no cuesta nada pero vale muchoL: A smile does not cost anything but is worth a lotD: Something as easy and small a gesture as a smile can have a great positive influence over others

H Uno propone y Dios disponeL: One proposes and God arrangesD: This phrase consoles someone that had a plan fall apart or fail, and can be used by someone about themselves. The outcome of any plan is out of your controlE: Man proposes, God disposes

E Unos nacen con estrellas, y otros nacen estrelladosL: Some are born with stars and others are born explodedD: Some people are born strong and successful while other people born disasters waiting to happen

V-ZVa para atrás como el cangrejoL: It goes backwards, like the crabD: Describes a person that instead of moving forward, is actually losing whatever has been achieved



E Vale más de lo que pesa en oroL: Worth more than it weighs in goldD: Something is extremely valuableE: Worth its weight in gold

Vayan las verdes por las madurasL: Go the greens for the ripesD: Accept both parts of something. To enjoy the benefits of something you must also accept the negatives. For

example, to marry the person you love, you must also accept the in-lawsE: Take the good with the bad

Venderle hasta una nevera a un esquimalL: Sell even a refrigerator to an EskimoD: Describes a person that can sell anything to anyone, even if they don’t need itE: Sell a drowning man a glass of water, Sell ice to an Eskimo, Sell sand to the Arabs

Venderle hasta una nevera a un esquimal



Vestirse de ClubmanL: To be dressed as ClubmanD: To be extremely well-dressed; Clubman is a men’s clothing store that sells suits, tuxedos and other formal wearE: Dressed to the nines

E Vísteme despacio, que voy de prisaL: Dress me slowly for I am in a hurryD: Don’t rush me, moving too fast can ruin something or make it come out poorlyE: Patience is a virtue

Volvió con el rabo entre medio de las patasL: It returned with the tail between its pawsD: To come back ashamed of something, often because of being proven wrongE: With his tail between his legs, To have pie on his face

E Y tu abuela, ¿dónde esta?L: And your grandmother, where is she?

D: This is a response used when a Puerto Rican denies their black heritage. It is generally assumed that every Puerto Rican, at some point in their past has at least one black ancestor. This phrase reminds the person of his/her heritage (this phrase is no way insulting or demeaning)

Ya los pájaros le tiran a las escopetasL: Now the birds shoot at the shotgunsD: Used in situations to call attention to social changes over the generations, that things are the reverse that they used to be (ex. A girl’s grandparents surprised that she invited a boy out on a date, something that never would have happened fifty years ago)

Yo no me crié con leche pedidaL: I did not grow up on begged milkD: My family worked for what we received, we didn’t accept government handouts



Zapatero, a sus zapatosL: Cobbler to his shoesD: Although a person or his actions may seem strange, we must respect them as

Ya los pájaros le tiran a las escopetas

individuals and leave the person aloneE: To each his own, Different strokes for different folks


125

Sabiduría Boricua:Puertorriqueño a Español

NOTA: Esta sección incluye solamente los refranes más conocidos. En la sección Puerto Rican to English se puede encontrar una lista más amplia de los refranes.

A cada puerco le llega su sábadoD: Tarde o temprano le va a tocar lo que le correspondeS: A cada santo le llega su día

A falta de pan, galletaD: Cuando te falta algo hay que aceptar otra cosa parecida aunque no es tu primera opción

A las millas de ChaflánD: Extremadamente rápido

A mal tiempo, buena caraD: Cuando las cosas no salen como se espera, uno se tiene que quedar tranquilo para enfrentar la situación

A otro perro con ese huesoD: Frase destacando que sabes que la otra persona está

mintiendo, que se inventó el cuentoS: No me vengas con ese cuento

A quien Dios no le da hijos el diablo le da sobrinosD: Para aquellas personas sin hijos, la experiencia de tener sobrinos o hijos de amigos es la misma como si tuvieran sus propios hijos

A rey muerto, rey puestoD: Frase que significa que, con el fin de una relación romántica o muerte de una persona, uno se consigue otra persona rápida-mente. Por ejemplo, una viuda que rápidamente tiene nuevo marido. Al mismo tiempo, significa que la persona está aprovechando de la situación



A río revuelto, ganancia de pescadoresD: Durante un periodo de incertidumbre o de cambio, siempre hay oportunidades

Al mejor cazador se le va la liebreD: Aún los expertos se equivocan, todo el mundo se equivoca

Al pan, pan y al vino, vinoD: Pedir a alguien hablar directamente, ir al grano

Al perro flaco, todas las pulgas le caenD: Las mismas personas siempre tienen todos los problemas en la vida, cuando una persona tiene un problema muchas veces aparecen otros problemas también

Al que no le gusta el caldo, le dan tres tazasD: Si hay algo que no te gusta, sin duda vas a recibir mucho de ello

Alábate pollo que mañana te guisanD: Se dice esta frase a una persona egoista destacando que pronto va a recibir lo que

merece

Aparecer hasta en la sopaD: Estar en todos los lugares a la vez

Aterriza que no hay tocónD: Esta es una frase chistosa que se usa cuando alguien se caye pero sin motivo; la persona iba caminando y de repente se cayó

Buscar las cinco patas al gatoD: 1. Tratar de resolver una situación o problema que no tiene solución, 2. Perder tiempo buscando algo inexistente

Caerse como una guanábanaD: Caerse de forma dura

Calma piojo que el peine llegaD: Un pequeño regaño aconsejando a la persona tener paciencia para poder resolver una situación

Chúpate esa, en lo que te mondan la otraD: Si pensabas que la primera vez fue mala, prepárate porque ya viene algo peor

Cuando el río suena, agua lleva



D: Valida que los rumores muchas veces tienen una parte cierta, aunque todo el rumor no sea ciertoS: Cuando el río suena, es porque algo trae

Cuatro ojos ven más que dosD: Consejo que es mejor tener dos personas trabajando un problema que una persona

Cúentamelo todo, o no me cuentes nadaD: Una frase motivando a otra persona de compartir un chisme o alguna noticia nueva

Cuentas claras conservan amistadesD: Cuando un amigo le presta a otro amigo algo, es mejor devolverlo lo más pronto posible para evitar problemas en la amistad

Cuídate tú de las aguas bravas, y de las mansas que me libre DiosD: Las personas y situaciones agitadas son las más fáciles para manejar y diluir. Hay que realmente tener cuidado con

aquellas personas y situaciones tranquilas y calladas ya que quizás no sabes qué realmente son problemas, hay que aceptar que Dios las va a corregir

De tal palo, tal astillaD: Muchas veces los hijos copian el comportamiento del padreS: Quien lo hereda no lo hurta, De tal padre, tal hijo, Hijo de gato, caza ratón

Del dicho al hecho, hay un gran trechoD: Prometer algo o decir que se puede lograr algo es muy diferente al cumplir con lo que se promete. Expresa duda en lo que una persona te está prometiendo

Desde que se inventaron las excusas, nadie quiere ser culpableD: Siempre existe una excusa para evitar la culpa

Desvestir un santo para vestir a otroD: No tiene sentido quitar algo



de una persona para darlo a la otra persona que carece del objeto

Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eresD: Viendo como son las personas a tu alrededor se puede definer que tipo de persona eres

Dios aprieta pero no ahogaD: La idea que, aunque Dios permite que alguien sufra, no permite que la persona desespere

Donde manda capitán no manda marineroD: Hay un solo jefe, el que manda tiene la última palabra

Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cuevaD: Siempre peleando o argumentandoS: Son como dos jueyes machos en la misma cueva

El amor y el interés se fueron al campo un día y más pudo el interés que el amor que te teníaD: La otra persona estaba motivada por dinero en la relación, no por amor

El caballo malo hay que venderlo lejosD: Si quieres aprovecharte de otra persona, debes estar seguro que nunca te vas a encontrar con esa persona después. Por ejemplo, si algo en tu carro no funciona bien, debes venderlo a una persona que no vive cerca a ti, con quien nunca te vas a encontrar

El muerto, después de tres días apestaD: Aprovecharse demasiado de la persona generosa. Por ejemplo, quieres ayudar a tu amigo pero al final él termina abusando tu generosidad; él necesitaba un lugar para quedarse tres noches y un mes después todavía no se ha idoS: El muerto y el agregado a los tres días hieden, Se les da una uña y cogen hasta el codo, Te doy un dedo y me quieres coger el brazo

El que calla, otorgaD: El hecho de que la persona no enfrenta un comportamiento negativo, significa que lo está aceptando y apoyando



El que come gofio se ahogaD: Una persona que no toma las cosas en serio, siempre está bromeando. Por ejemplo, la persona no va a la escuela, prefiere estar en la playa. Gofio es un dulce en polvo que te causa toser cuando lo tragas porque es seco

El que se casa, para su casaD:Una vez que te cases debes buscar tu propia casa, y romper, de cierta forma, la relación con los padres y con los suegros, para evitar problemas con ellos y tu esposaS: El que se casa, casa quiere

El que se va para Aguadilla pierde su silla y el que de Aguadilla viene su silla tieneD: Frase graciosa que se usa cuando una persona se levanta de su silla, y otra persona la toma. La frase valida el derecho de la segunda persona de usar la silla, pero la última parte confirma el derecho de la primera persona de reclamar su silla si vuelve de AguadillaS: El que se va para Rincón pierde su sillón

El que se va para Rincón pierde su sillónD: Frase graciosa que se usa cuando una persona se levanta de su sillón, y otra persona la toma. La frase valida el derecho de la segunda persona de usar el sillónS: El que se va para Aguadilla pierde su silla y el que de Aguadilla viene su silla tiene

En el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es reyD: Una persona mediocre se puede destacar, no por su destrezas o habilidades, pero simplemente porque todos a su alrededor son incompetentes

Entrar por arrimado y salir por dueñoD: 1. Pedir prestado algo pero nunca devolverlo, 2. Ser más listo que la otra persona, engañarla

Eramos muchos y parió la abuelaD: Ya había problemas suficientes, y ahora además de todos esos problemas la abuela parió



Es de clavo pasadoD: Un fanático o extremista, generalmente en referencia a los fanáticos de un partido político

Es más feo que un caso de drogasD: Estar en una situación muy complicada o muy difícil

Eso son otros veinte pesosD: Eso es algo completamente diferente, no se pueden comparar las dos cosasS: Eso es harina de otro costal

Estar más halado que un timbre de guaguaD: Una persona extremadamente flaca, más flaca que la cuerda que se hala para avisar al chofer de una guagua (autobus) pública que te quieres bajar en la próxima parada

Estar más perdido que un juey bizcoD: Una persona muy perdida, se puede referir a la persona que no puede llegar a cierto lugar, pero aún más común se usa para la persona que no sigue bien una conversación, se pierde tratando

de entender lo que dicen los demás

Estar soñando con pajaritos preñadosD: Soñar de cosas inalcanzables

MHa corrido más que una guagua de la AMAD: Describe a una mujer fácil en el sentido sexual; AMA son las siglas de la Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses, el nombre del sistema público de transporte en Puerto Rico

Hablando del rey de Roma y las narices que asomaD: Comentario usado cuando una persona que era el tema de la conversación llega repentinamente

Hablaste por boca de santoD: Una persona dice o predice algo que después ocurre o se demuestra cierto

Hiciste como San Blas, comiste y te vasD: Critica a la persona que llega para cenar, come y se va inmediatamente. Alguien



que hace esto frecuentamente parece cachetero o un vividor. El uso de la palabra comistes es un error común en Puerto Rico. La palabra correcta gramaticalmente es comiste.

Ir contra viento y mareaD: Lograr algo superando todas las fuerzas del mundo

Irse como guineo en boca de viejaD: Ir o pasar rápidamente. Guineo es otra palabra para banana

Juntos pero no revueltosD: Se usa esta frase para eliminar cualquier duda sobre una relación platónica. Quizás alguien piensa que dos personas tienen una relación romántica pero con esta respuesta se elimina esa duda, no existe nada romántico en la relación

Le dieron gato por liebreD: Lo que esperaba la persona recibir era completamente diferente a lo que realmente recibió

Le puso el dedo en la llagaD: Directamente identificar

un problema, encontrarlo sin demora

Más claro no canta un galloD: La situación no puede ser más clara. Simplemente la entiendes o no

Más feo que mandado a hacerD: Algo que es extremadamente feo

Más pesado que un matrimonio mal llevadoD: Algo extremadamente difícil de tratar

Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diabloD: Esta frase destaca la sabiduria que se acumula con la edad. El diablo es más listo por la edad que tiene que porque es el diablo

Nadie te dio vela en este entierroD: Nadie te invitó (a la conversación o actividad)

No por mucho madrugar amanece más tempranoD: Más esfuerzo no necesariamente significa más éxito



No tiene ni dos dedos de frenteD: Se refiere a una persona realmente estúpida. Tiene la cabeza tan pequeña que ni siquiera dos dedos caben en su frente

Para lo que falta que venga el restoD: Una frase casi de desesperación por todas las cosas malas que le han pasando. Ya que le ha pasado tantas cosas malas, una o dos cosas más no van a cambiar su situación

Perro flaco soñando con longanizaD: Una persona que vive fuera de su nivel económica. La persona tiene un poco de dinero asi que sale a comprar algo muy caro, sabiendo que no puede pagar ni siquiera la primera cuota

Por una teta no fue vacaD: Algo que no es completo, que le falta algunas partesS: Si tuviera manubrio, sería bicicleta

Te doy pon y quieres guiarD: Aprovechar demasiado de la persona generosa. Por ejemplo, quieres ayudar a tu amigo pero al final termina abusando de ti; él necesitaba un lugar para quedarse tres noches y un mes después todavía no se ha idoS: Se les da una uña y cogen hasta el codo, Te doy un dedo y me quieres coger el brazo, El muerto después de tres días apesta

Vestirse de ClubmanD: Estar formalmente vestido, bien arreglado; Clubman es una tienda de ropa formal para hombres en Puerto Rico

Vísteme despacio, que voy de prisaD: No me apures, avanzando rápidamente podría arruinar algo o terminarlo mal


133

Index: English Sayings with Spanish Equivalents

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush-Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando-Más vale un hoy que dos mañanas

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link-La soga rompe por lo más delgado

A chip off the old block-De tal palo, tal astilla-Quien lo hereda no lo hurta

E A friend in need is a friend indeed-Amigo en la adversidad es un amigo de verdad

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step-Barco que no anda no llega a puerto

A lot of hot air-De ese infierno no salen chispas

A man is known by the company he keeps-Dime con quien andas y te diré quién eres

A perfect match-Me viene como anillo al dedo

A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country-Nadie es profeta en su tierra [pueblo]

E A taste of his own medicine-Estar probando su propia medicina

A tiger doesn’t change its stripes-La yerba mala nunca se muere

English Sayings with Spanish Equivalents134

According to the latest gossip-Dicen las malas lenguas, y la mía que no es muy buena también lo repita

Actions speak louder than words-El movimiento se demuestra andando-La ley entra por la casa-No es lo mismo decirlo que hacerlo

E After a storm comes a calm-Después de la tormenta, siempre llega la calma

After marriage, life goes downhill-En vida de matrimonio, ni soso ni salado

All bark and no bite-Mucho ruido y pocas nueces

E All cats are grey in the dark-De noche todos los gatos son prietos

All good things must end-Lo bueno dura poco

All over the place-Esta como el arroz blanco, en todas las partes

E All that glitters is not gold-No todo lo que brilla es oro

Always lands on his feet-El que nace para bombero, del cielo le cae el sombrero-El que nace para toro del cielo le caen los cuernos

Always room for one more-Donde comen dos, comen tres

E An eye for an eye-Ojo por ojo, diente por diente

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop-El ocio es la madre de todos los vicios

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-Es mejor precaver que tener que remediar-Más vale prevenir que tener que lamentar

Appearances can be deceiving-Todo lo prieto no es morcilla

As happy as a clam-Más contento que perro con dos rabos

As old as the hills-Más viejo que el frío

Index 135

-Más viejo que Matusalen

As stubborn as a mule-Es más terco que una mula

As sure as death and taxes-La muerte es lo único seguro que tenemos en la vida

As ugly as sin-Es más feo que un caso de drogas

As white as snow-Más jincho que nalga de monja-Más jincho que un sobaco de monja

Be happy with what you’ve got-Más vale tierra en cuerpo que cuerpo en tierra

Bend over, here it comes again (BOHICA)-Chúpate esa en lo que te mondan la otra

Better late than never-Más vale tarde que nunca

Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know-Es mejor malo conocido que bueno por conocer

Between a rock and a hard

place-Estar entre la espada y la pared

Bitch, bitch, bitch-Como quiera que te pongas siempre tienes que llorar

Bite off more than you can chew-Quedarse sin el plato y la comida-Quedarse sin la soga y sin la cabra

Bites the hand that feeds him-Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos

Black as coal-Prieto color telefono

Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth-Nacer en cuna de oro

Brains over brawn-A cada guaraguao le llega su pitirre-Más vale maña que fuerza

Business before pleasure-El deber antes que el placer

Business is business-Compay, compay, pero la gallina vale dos reales


Butt-ugly-Más feo que una patada en la cara

Call a spade a spade-Al pan, pan y al vino, vino

Caught red-handed-Pillar con las manos en la masa

Caught with a hand in the cookie jar-Pillar con las manos en la masa

E Charity begins at home-La caridad empieza por casa

Children and fools tell the truth-Los niños y los borrachos siempre dicen la verdad

Clothes don’t make the man-El hábito no hace al monje pero lo distingue

Clueless-Estar más perdido que un juey bizco-Lo coge todo por el rabo

E Curiosity killed the cat-La curiosidad mató al gato

Cut to the chase-Al pan, pan y al vino, vino

Different strokes for different folks

-Cada cual a lo suyo-Cada loco con su tema-Para los gustos, los colores-Sobre los gustos no hay nada escrito-Zapatero a sus zapatos

Do not put words in his mouth-No hables por boca ajena

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you-No hagas hoy lo que no quieres que te hagan a ti mañana

MDoes a bear shit in the woods?-¿A quién le amarga un dulce?

Does not practice what he preaches-Predicar la moral en calzoncillos

Don’t wish too hard, you might just get it-Está buscando lo que no se le ha perdido

E Don’t add fuel to the fire-No eches más leña al fuego

Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched-No cantes victoria antes de tiempo

Index 137

E Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it-No cruces el puente antes de llegar a él

Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg-No mates la gallina de los huevos de oro

Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today-No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth-A caballo regalado no se le mira el colmillo

Don’t stick your nose where it does not belong-Agua que no has de beber déjala correr

Dressed to the nines-Estar más combinado que un cuadro del hipodromo-Genio y figura hasta la sepultura-Vestirse de ‘Clubman’

Drunk as a skunk-Más ahumado que un trapo de una plancha

Drunk out of his mind

-Más ahumado que un trapo de una plancha

E Eat to live, not live to eat-Se come para vivir, no se vive para comer

Enough is enough-Para al carajo albañil, que se acabó la mezcla

Everyone makes mistakes-Al mejor cazador se le va la liebre

Everything eventually comes to light-A la larga, todo se sabe

Faith will move mountains-La fe mueve montañas

Fight against all odds-Ir contra viento y marea

Fight tooth and nail-Defenderse más que un gato boca arriba

Fine words butter no parsnips-El que mucho promete, poco cumple

Flat broke-Más pelado que un chucho

Friends in high places


-El que tiene padrino se bautiza

Genius is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration-Más hace el que quiere que el que puede

Get it over with quickly-Camino malo se anda ligero

Get to the point-Al pan, pan y al vino, vino

Get up on the wrong side of the bed-Levantarse de la cama con el pie izquierdo

Give a little to get a little-Hay que dar del ala para comer de la pechuga

Give credit where credit is due-Honor, a quien honor merece

Give him a taste of his own medicine-Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdón

Give someone an inch and he will take a mile-Se les da una uña y cogen hasta el codo-Te doy pon y quieres guiar

-Te doy un dedo y me quieres coger el brazo

Go like a bat out of hell-Ir como alma que lleva el diablo

E God giveth and god taketh away-Dios da y quita

E God helps those that help themselves-Dios dice ayúdate que yo te ayudaré-Ayúdate que Dios te ayudará

God works in mysterious ways-Dios sabe lo que hace

God’s gift to women-Creerse la última Coca Cola del desierto

Good luck!-Dios quiera que tu guarapo siempre tenga hielo

Good things are around the corner-No hay mal que por bien no venga

Good things come in small packages-El perfume bueno siempre

Index 139

viene en potes pequeños-Perfume bueno viene en frasco pequeño

Good things come to those who wait-A su tiempo maduran las uvas-Calma piojo que el peine llega-Lo mejor que hizo Dios fue un día detrás del otro

Guilt by association-Admisión de delito, relevo de prueba

Happens to the best of them-Pasa hasta en las mejores familias

Happy as a lark-Más contento que perro con dos rabos

Have your cake and eat it too-Es como el perro del hortelano, que ni come ni deja comer

He gives twice who gives quickly-El que da primero, da dos veces

He is a leech-Está hecho una ladilla

He who excuses himself accuses himself

-Te estás curando en salud

He who laughs last laughs best-El que ríe último, ríe mejor

He who lives by the sword dies by the sword-El que a hierro mata, a hierro muere

He’ll get his-A cada lechón le llega su San Martín-A cada puerco le llega su sábado

He’ll get what he deserves-A cada lechón le llega su San Martín-A cada puerco le llega su sábado

He’ll get what’s coming to him-A cada lechón le llega su San Martín-A cada puerco le llega su sábado

Here today, gone tomorrow-Hoy vivo, mañana muerto

His bark is worse than his bite-Perro que ladra no muerde


His time will come-A cada lechón le llega su San Martín-A cada puerco le llega su sábado-A cada santo le llega su día [hora]-A cada santo su vela

Hit the nail on the head-Hablaste por boca de santo-Le puso el dedo en la llaga

Hopping mad-Como un ciempiés meado

I couldn’t care less-Allá Marta con sus pollos

I couldn’t give a hoot-A mi plin y a la madama dulce de coco

I couldn’t give a rat’s ass-A mi plin y a la madama dulce de coco

I don’t give a shit-A mi plin y a la madama dulce de coco

I get where you’re coming from-Cuando tú vas, yo vuelvo

I hear you-Cuando tú vas, yo vuelvo

Idle hands are the devil’s tools-El ocio es la madre de todos los vicios

If it’s not one thing, it’s another-Si no es Juan, es Pedro

E If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain-Si la montaña no viene a Mahoma, Mahoma va a la montaña

If the shoe fits, wear it-Al que le caiga el sello [sayo] que se lo ponga

If you can’t beat’em, join’em-Si no puedes contra el enemigo, únete a él

E If you play with fire you get burned-El que juega con fuego se quema

If you run after two hares you will catch neither-El que asa dos conejos a la vez uno siempre se le quema

Ignorance is bliss-Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente

Index 141

E In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king-En el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es rey

In union there is strength-En la unión está la fuerza

E In what world does he live in?-¿En qué mundo vive?

It all depends on your point of view-Todo depende del color del cristal con que se mire

It can happen to the best of us-A cualquiera se le muere un tío-Al mejor cazador se le va la liebre

It goes in one ear and out the other-A palabras necias, oídos sordos

It happens to the best of them-A cualquiera se le muere un tío-Al mejor cazador se le va la liebre

E It is better to give than to receive-Es mejor dar que recibir-Hay que dar para recibir

It takes all kinds-Hay de todo en la viña del Señor

It takes money to make money-El dinero llama al dinero

I’ve heard that story before-A otro perro con ese hueso

Just what I needed-Me viene como anillo al dedo

Keep his word-Lo prometido es deuda

Keep on top of things-No te duermas en las pajas

Keep your shop and your shop will keep you-El que tiene tienda que la atienda, o si no que la venda

Kill two birds with one stone-Matar dos pájaros de un tiro

Lead by example-La ley entra por la casa

Leave the best for last-El mejor plato se deja para lo último

Left at the altar-Se quedó vestida y “alboratá”

Left out to dry


-Se quedó vestida y “alboratá”

Let bygones be bygones-Borrón y cuenta nueva

Like a cat with nine lives-Tener más vidas que un gato

E Like father, like son-De tal padre, tal hijo-De tal palo, tal astilla-Hijo de gato, caza ratón

Like two peas in a pod-Tal para cual

Look with your eyes not your hands-Tocan con los ojos y miran con las manos

E Looking for a needle in a haystack-Es como buscar una aguja en un pajar

Love is blind-El amor lo perdona todo

Mad as a hatter-Como un ciempiés meado

Made for each other-Dios los cría y el Diablo los junta-Tal para cual

Make a mountain out of a

mole hill-Formar una tormenta en un vaso de agua-Hacen de un grano de arena una montaña

Make do with what you’ve got-A falta de pan, galleta-Hay que arar con los bueyes que se tenga

Make the best of a bad situation-Si del cielo te caen limones, aprende a hacer limonada

Make up your mind-O te peinas o te haces rolos

Man proposes, God disposes-Uno propone y Dios dispone

Meet your match-Encontrarse con la horma de su zapato

Might as well get it over with-Para lo que falta que venga el resto

Mix apples and oranges-Le dieron gato por liebre-No es lo mismo ni se escribe igual

Moderation in all things

Index 143

-Todo en exceso hace daño

E Money can’t buy you love-El amor no se compra con dinero

E Necessity is the mother of invention-La necesidad es la madre de la invención

Never ask pardon before you are accused-Te estás curando en salud

Never say never-Nunca digas “de esa agua no beberé”

New broom sweeps clean-Escoba nueva barre bien

No big deal-Olvídate, más se perdió en la guerra

No one can take it away from you-No te lo despinta nadie

No pain, no gain-El que quiere azul celeste, que le cueste-Para nadar hay que tirarse al agua-Quien no se arriesga no lo logra

Not as easy as it looks-La luna no es de queso ni se come con melao

Not be a fan of-Ese no es santo de mi devoción

Not in a million years-Esto será cuando la rana eche pelo

Nothing in life is free-Nadie da nada a cambio de nada

Nothing lasts forever-La agonía es larga pero la muerte es segura

Nothing to write home about-No es nada del otro mundo

Nothing will come of it-De ese infierno no salen chispas

Nothing’s for free-No hay rosas sin espinas

E On the tip of the tongue-Tener algo en la punta de la lengua

E One swallow does not a summer make-Una sola golondrina no hace verano


Opened up a can of worms-Meterse en camisa de once varas

Out of sight out of mind-La ausencia causa olvido-Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente

Out of touch with reality-El que vive de ilusiones muere de desengaños

Overstay your welcome-El muerto, después de tres días, apesta-El muerto y el agregado a los tres días hieden

Own up to one’s mistakes-A lo hecho pecho

Pass the buck-Desde que se inventaron las excusas, nadie quiere ser culpable

Patience is a virtue-Vísteme despacio que voy de prisa

E People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones-No ensucies el agua para después tomártela-No tire piedras si tiene techo

de cristal

Practice makes perfect-La práctica hace el maestro-La práctica hace milagros

Practice what you preach-Bien predica, quien bien vive

Put someone in his place-Hay que leerle la cartilla

Right on the money-Hablaste por boca de santo

Rob Peter to pay Paul-Desvestir un santo para vestir a otro

Rome was not built in a day-Roma no se hizo en un día

Safety in numbers-En la unión está la fuerza

Scared out of his mind-Como vaca que va para risco

M Scared shitless-Con ojos de vaca cagona

Seeing is believing-Hay que ver para creer-Soy como Santo Tomás, ver para creer

Sell a drowning man a glass of water-Venderle hasta una nevera a un

Index 145

esquimal

Sell ice to an Eskimo-Venderle hasta una nevera a un esquimal

Sell sand to the Arabs-Venderle hasta una nevera a un esquimal

She married him for his money-El amor y el interés se fueron al campo un día y más pudo el interés que el amor que te tenía

Short reckonings make long friends-Cuentas claras conservan amistades

Silence gives consent-El que calla otorga

Sleep on it-Hay que consultarlo con la almohada

Slower than molasses-Más lento que un suero de brea-Más lento que una caravana de cojos

Someone is loaded (as in rich, not drunk)-Lo único que le falta es sarna para rascarse

Someone will get his-A cada puerco le llega su sábado

Something smells here-Huele a sicote

Speak of the devil-Hablando del rey de Roma y las narices que asoma

Start from scratch-Borrón y cuenta nueva

Step up to bat-¿Quién le pone el cascabel al gato?

Step up to the plate-¿Quién le pone el cascabel al gato?

Still waters run deep-Oye, mira y calla

Stretch your limits-Hay que estirar los pies hasta donde llegue la sábana

Take his word for it-Hay que darle el beneficio de la duda

Take the good with the bad-El que se come la carne que se coma también el hueso-Vayan las verdes por las maduras


Take the horse by the reigns-Coger el sartén por el mango

Take with a grain of salt-Las cosas se toman según de quien vengan

Talk in circles-Al pan, pan y al vino, vino

Test the waters-Hay que estirar los pies hasta donde llegue la sábana

That’s a whole different story-Eso es harina de otro costal-Eso son otros veinte pesos

That’s all she wrote-Para al carajo albañil, que se acabó la mezcla

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree-De tal padre, tal hijo

The bee’s knees-Creerse la última Coca Cola del desierto

The best of both worlds-Es como el perro del hortelano, que ni come ni deja comer

The best thing since sliced bread-Creerse la última Coca cola del desierto

The blind leading the blind-Es como un ciego guiando a otro ciego

The early bird catches the worm-Al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda

The fox guarding the chicken coop-Poner el cabro a velar las lechugas

The grass is greener on the other side-La luz de adelante es la que alumbra

The Lord works in mysterious ways-Dios aprieta pero no ahoga

The more the merrier-Donde comen dos, comen tres

The person is a bad apple-Cuando no está preso lo andan buscando

The pot calling the kettle black-Un conejo [burro] hablando del tamaño de las orejas-Un muerto hablando de un

Index 147

ahorcado

The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach-El amor entra por la cocina

The road to hell is paved with good intentions-El infierno está lleno de buenas intenciones

The rotten apple spoils the barrel-Una manzana podrida daña el barril

The straw that broke the camel’s back-La gota que colmó la copa

The war’s not over yet-Una batalla no gana una guerra

E There is a remedy for everything except death-En la vida todo tiene remedio, menos la muerte

E There is an exception to every rule-No hay regla sin excepción

There’s a sucker born every minute-Todo los días se tira un bobo a la calle

There’s no accounting for tastes-Hay gustos que merecen palos-Sobre los gustos no hay nada escrito

There’s no place like home-Seguro es el pájaro en el nido

There’s none so deaf as those who will not hear-No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver

Thin as a rail-Lo que te queda es el solar y no es tuyo

Things are getting ugly-Esto ya se está pasando de castaño a oscuro

Things are taking a turn for the worse-Esto ya se está pasando de castaño a oscuro

Three’s a charm-La tercera es la vencida

Timbuktu-Anduvo la Ceca y la Meca

E Time heals all wounds-El tiempo lo cura todo

Time is money-El tiempo es oro


To all be in the same boat-Somos muchos los hijos del muerto

To be in a jam-Estar con la soga al cuello

To be in the same boat-Mal de muchos consuelo de tontos

To be scared out of your mind-Quedarse con los pelos de punta

To be worked to death-Ha corrido hasta sin aceite

To each his own-Cada cual a lo suyo-Cada gallina a su gallinero-Cada loco con su tema-Cada oveja con su pareja-Hay de todo en la viña del Señor-Para los gustos, los colores-Sobre los gustos no hay nada escrito-Zapatero a sus zapatos

To feel like a million bucks-Sentirse como un billete de cien pesos

To get what’s coming to you-Alábate pollo que mañana te guisan

To give away the house-El que da lo que tiene a pedir se atiene

To grab the bull by the horns-Coger al toro por los cuernos

To have ants in your pants-Tener hormiguillas en el culo

To have one’s hair stand on end-Quedarse con los pelos de punta

To have pie on his face-Volvió con el rabo entre medio de las patas

To look out for Number One-Cada cual se reparte con la cuchara grande

ETo make a long story short-Para hacerte el cuento corto

To make a mountain out of a molehill-Ahogarse en un vaso de agua

To make something good from nothing-Hay que hacer de tripas corazones

To mix like oil and water-Ser como el aceite y el vinagre

To not defend oneself-No da un tajo ni en defensa

Index 149

propia

To not have anything to hide-El que no tiene hechas no tiene sospechas

To reach one’s limit-El que nace para chavito prieto nunca llega a vellón

To roll right off of-Se le pasea el alma por el cuerpo

To screw up-Meter la pata

To slide off of-Se le pasea el alma por el cuerpo

To sound like a broken record-Eso es como llover sobre mojado

To think he’s the bomb-Creerse la última Coca Cola del desierto

To wipe out-Caerse como una guanábana

E Tomorrow is another day-Mañana será otro día

E Too many chiefs and not enough indians-Muchos caciques y pocos indios

Too many cooks spoil the broth-Muchos cocineros dañan la comida

Too much of a good thing-Todo en exceso hace daño-Lo poquito agrada, lo mucho enfada

E Two heads are better than one-Cuatro ojos ven más que dos-Dos cabezas piensan mejor que una

Two wrongs don’t make a right.-Dos males no hacen un bien

United we stand, divided we fall-En la unión está la fuerza

Walls have ears-Las paredes tienen oídos y los montes ojos

Water under the bridge-Agua pasada no mueve molino

Well begun is half done-Quien bien empieza bien acaba

What comes around goes around-Estar probando su propia


medicina-Hijo eres, padre serás, según lo hiciste, así lo verás-Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdón

What goes up must come down-Todo lo que sube tiene que bajar

What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over-Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente

When in Rome, do as the Romans-A la tierra que fueres haz lo que vieres-¿Dónde va Vicente? Donde va la gente

When it rains, it pours-Al perro flaco, todas las pulgas le caen-Cuando uno está de malas, hasta la mujer se la pega!-Del árbol caído todos hacen leña

When one door closes, another one opens-Cuando una puerta se cierra, cientas se abren

When pigs fly

-Esto será cuando la rana eche pelo

E When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window-Cuando la pobreza entra por la puerta, el amor sale por la ventana

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire-Cuando el río suena, agua lleva-Cuando el río suena es porque algo trae-Si el rio suena es porque agua trae

While there’s life, there’s hope-Mientras haya vida hay esperanza

Wipe the slate clean-Aquí paz y en el cielo gloria-Borrón y cuenta nueva

E With friends like that who needs enemies?-Con amigos así no hacen falta enemigos

E With his tail between his

Index 151

legs-Volvió con el rabo entre medio de las patas

E Won’t harm a fly-No mata ni una mosca

E Worth its weight in gold-Vale más de lo que pesa en oro

You better believe it-Lo dice y no lo sabe

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar-Amor con amor se paga

You cannot get a quart into a pint pot-Eso es como pedirle peras al

olmo

You cannot get blood from a stone [turnip]-Eso es como pedirle peras al olmo

You can’t judge a book by its cover-Las apariencias engañan

152

Bibliography/Bibliografía

Bertram, Anne:Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries, NTC Publishing Group, 1997.Deliz Hernández, Joseph: How To Speak Puerto Rican, VB Publishing, 1998.Díaz Rivera, María Elisa: Refranes más usados en Puerto Rico, 2nd edition, Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, 2002.Funk, Charles Earle: Heavens to Betsy! & Other Curious Sayings, HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 2001.García Santos, Nelson: Lo que dice la gente, 1997.Kirkpatrick, Betty: Clichés, Over 1500 Phrases Explored and Explained, St. Martin’s Press, 1996.Núñez de Ortea, Rosario and Delgado de Laborde, Isabel: Los que dicen ¡ay bendito!, 3rd edition, Editorial Plaza Mayor, 2001.Titelman, Gregory: America’s Popular Sayings, Gramercy Books, 2004.

Jared grew up in Maryland, where he received his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. After spending several years working in Washington, DC, during which time he started studying Spanish, Jared decided to return to school. He continued his studies in Spanish while receiving an International MBA from the University of South Carolina. Looking to further develop the Spanish, Jared accepted a job in Chile upon graduation. After several years living there and in Argentina, he moved to Puerto

Rico, where he has resided since 2002. Whenever possible Jared travels, studies languages, reads and drinks wine. Any comments, corrections or inclusions should be sent [email protected].

Jared se crió en Maryland, donde se recibió de licenciado en economía y ciencias políticas en la universidad St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Trabajó durante varios años en Washington DC y durante ese tiempo estudió español. Después, decidió volver a la universidad y mientras seguía estudiando español, hizo una maestría en Administración de Empresas Internacionales en la University of South Carolina. Una vez terminada y con el propósito de desarrollar sus conocimientos del idioma, aceptó un trabajo en Chile. Después de varios años de vivir allá y en Argentina, se mudó a Puerto Rico donde vive desde el año 2002. Siempre que puede, aprovecha para viajar, estudiar idiomas, leer y compartir un buen vino. Pueden enviar cualquier comentario, corrección o sugerencia a [email protected].

Jared Romey, author

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Speaking Phrases Boricua: A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico by Jared Romey

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