50 Common Sayings in Spanish

1. Más vale tarde que nunca.

(Better late than never.)

Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.

2. A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.

(The early bird catches the worm.)

Meaning: Those who wake up early or take initiative are rewarded.

3. No hay mal que por bien no venga.

(Every cloud has a silver lining.)

Meaning: Something good can come out of a bad situation.

4. El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

(Jack of all trades, master of none.)

Meaning: Trying to do too much at once often results in doing nothing well.

5. Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

(When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.)

Meaning: Stay positive even in difficult times.

6. A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

(Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.)

Meaning: Be grateful for a gift, even if it’s not perfect.

7. No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.

(Waking up early doesn’t make the sun rise sooner.)

Meaning: Some things take time, no matter how early you start.

8. Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.

(Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you who you are.)

Meaning: Your character is reflected in the company you keep.

9. Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.

(A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.)

Meaning: It’s better to have something certain than to risk it for something better.

10. El que calla otorga.

(Silence gives consent.)

Meaning: By not speaking up, you might be seen as agreeing.

11. Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.

(Raise ravens, and they’ll peck out your eyes.)

Meaning: Nurturing someone without proper guidance can lead to them becoming harmful or disloyal.

12. Más vale solo que mal acompañado.

(Better alone than in bad company.)

Meaning: It’s better to be alone than with people who bring you down.

13. A palabras necias, oídos sordos.

(Foolish words are best ignored.)

Meaning: Don’t let foolish or hurtful words affect you.

14. No hay rosa sin espinas.

(Every rose has its thorns.)

Meaning: Everything beautiful has some imperfections or challenges.

15. Quien mucho duerme, poco aprende.

(He who sleeps a lot learns little.)

Meaning: Success requires effort and diligence.

16. El que no arriesga, no gana.

(Nothing ventured, nothing gained.)

Meaning: You must take risks to achieve something worthwhile.

17. Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.

(The early bird catches the worm.)

Meaning: Starting early leads to success.

18. A falta de pan, buenas son tortas.

(When there’s no bread, cakes will do.)

Meaning: Make the best of what you have.

19. El hábito no hace al monje.

(The habit doesn’t make the monk.)

Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving; what matters is the inside.

20. Perro que ladra no muerde.

(Barking dogs seldom bite.)

Meaning: Those who make threats often don’t follow through.

21. No todo lo que brilla es oro.

(Not all that glitters is gold.)

Meaning: Not everything that looks valuable is so.

22. Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.

(Out of sight, out of mind.)

Meaning: If you don’t see something, you won’t suffer.

23. Barriga llena, corazón contento.

(A full belly makes for a happy heart.)

Meaning: Satisfaction of basic needs brings happiness.

24. A lo hecho, pecho.

(What’s done is done.)

Meaning: Accept the consequences of your actions and move on.

25. El tiempo lo cura todo.

(Time heals all wounds.)

Meaning: Over time, pain and suffering diminish.

26. Cada loco con su tema.

(To each his own.)

Meaning: Everyone has their own interests or obsessions.

27. En boca cerrada no entran moscas.

(Flies don’t enter a closed mouth.)

Meaning: Sometimes it’s best to keep quiet to avoid trouble.

28. Del dicho al hecho hay un trecho.

(There’s a long way from saying to doing.)

Meaning: It’s easier to talk about something than to do it.

29. Haz el bien y no mires a quién.

(Do good and don’t worry about who benefits.)

Meaning: Do good deeds without expecting anything in return.

30. Matar dos pájaros de un tiro.

(Kill two birds with one stone.)

Meaning: Accomplish two things at once.

31. Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

(He who grasps too much, holds little.)

Meaning: Focus on fewer things to do them well.

32. Cuando el río suena, agua lleva.

(Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.)

Meaning: Rumors often have some truth to them.

33. La avaricia rompe el saco.

(Greed breaks the sack.)

Meaning: Greed can lead to losing everything.

34. Dios los cría y ellos se juntan.

(Birds of a feather flock together.)

Meaning: People with similar traits or interests tend to associate with each other.

35. En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo.

(In a blacksmith’s house, a wooden knife.)

Meaning: Professionals often neglect their own needs.

36. Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.

(The devil knows more because he’s old than because he’s the devil.)

Meaning: Experience teaches more than inherent traits.

37. Más vale prevenir que lamentar.

(Better safe than sorry.)

Meaning: It’s better to take precautions than to regret not doing so.

38. No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.

(Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.)

Meaning: Avoid procrastination.

39. En río revuelto, ganancias de pescadores.

(“In troubled waters, fishermen profit!” in English.)

Meaning: While some are struggling, others might find a way to gain from the situation.

40. A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

(Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.)

Meaning: Be grateful for what you receive.

41. No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver.

(There’s no worse blind person than the one who doesn’t want to see.)

Meaning: It’s hard to convince someone who refuses to acknowledge the truth.

42. A mal tiempo, buena cara.

(Put on a brave face in bad times.)

Meaning: Stay positive during difficult situations.

43. Quien tiene boca se equivoca.

(He who has a mouth makes mistakes.)

Meaning: Everyone makes mistakes.

44. Quien ríe de último, ríe mejor.

(He who laughs last, laughs best.)

Meaning: Final success is what truly matters.

45. El que la sigue, la consigue.

(He who persists, achieves.)

Meaning: Perseverance leads to success.

46. En el país de los ciegos, el tuerto es rey.

(In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.)

Meaning: Even limited ability is valuable when others have none.

47. No hay mal que dure cien años ni cuerpo que lo resista.

(There is no evil that lasts a hundred years, nor body that can withstand it.)

Meaning: Bad times will eventually pass.

48. A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.

(A word to the wise is enough.)

Meaning: Smart people understand things quickly.

49. No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.

(There’s no worse deaf person than the one who doesn’t want to hear.)

Meaning: It’s hard to reach someone who refuses to listen.

50. Entre gustos no hay disgustos

(There’s no room for fights when it comes to personal tastes.)

Meaning: The differences in personal preferences shouldn’t cause disagreements or conflicts.