Spanish Proverbs

Like every language Spanish has many proverbs. Here you have a small list with their literal translation and their correspondent English proverb.

A caballo regalado no se le mires el diente.

Literal Translation: Don’t look at the teeth of a gift horse.

English Proverb: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

La excepción hace (o confirma) la regla.

Literal Translation: The exception makes/confirms the rule.

English Proverb: It is the exception that proves the rule.

Hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta se asoma.

Literal Translation: Talking about the king of Rome, through the door he walks in.

English Proverb: Speak of the devil and he appears.

Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.

Literal translation: Eyes that don’t see, Heart that doesn’t feel.

English Proverb: Out of sight, out of mind.

…y fueron felices y comieron perdices.

Literal translation: …and they were happy and ate partridges.

English proverb: …and they lived happily ever after.

Hacer la vista gorda.

Literal translation: To make a thick eye.

English Proverb: To turn a blind eye.

En la duda, ten la lengua muda.

Literal translation: When in doubt, keep the tongue mute.

English Proverb: When in doubt keep your mouth shut.

Querer es poder

Literal Translation: The will is power.

English Proverb: When there is a will, there is a way.

El amor entra por la cocina.

Literal translation: Love enters through the kitchen.

English Proverb: The way to man’s heart is through his stomach.

Dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres.

Literal translation: Tell me whom you are walking with and I’ll tell you who you are.

English Proverb: Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.

El que madruga coge agua clara.

Literal Translation: The one who wakes up early catches clear/clean water.

English Proverb: The early bird catches the worm.