20 Famous Spanish Proverbs About Love and Life

Spanish proverbs, like every proverb in any language, are part of the everyday lifestyle of society. If you really want to learn Spanish, you cannot live without Spanish Proverbs. 

The best way to learn a new language is to explore popular phrases or expressions. It can range from famous quotes, proverbs, idioms, etc., and it can give you a deeper understanding of the inner workings and historical meanings of words in any language.

Today we’re going to take a closer look at 20 famous Spanish proverbs about life and compare them to their English equivalents.

SPANISH PROVERBS ABOUT LIFE

• Al mejor escribano se le va un borrón. – To the best scribe comes a smudge.

Literal Meaning/use: Even the best of us make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect.

• La cara es el espejo del alma.– The face is the mirror of the soul.

Literal Meaning/use: Our face reflects our state of health, our character, and our mood.

• Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda. – You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow

Literal Meaning/use: There is no use in hiding defects or blemishes, since they will be discovered sooner or later and then we will make a fool of ourselves. 

• Perro ladrador, poco mordedor. / Perro que ladra no muerde. – A dog that barks often seldom bites.

Literal Meaning/use: Those who threaten very often likely will not able to carry out these threats. 

• Nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena.  – Never too late to do well

Literal Meaning/use:  This saying implies that it is worth waiting if the result or consequence is positive.

• No todas las verdades son para ser dichas. – Not every truth should be said.

Literal Meaning/use: There are truths one should keep to oneself. 

• La curiosidad mató al gato. – Curiosity killed the cat.

Literal Meaning/use: We say this whenever we want to discourage a person from indulging in excessive interest in other people’s business, for instance our own.

• Del dicho al hecho hay un buen trecho.  – From speech to deed there is a good stretch.

Literal Meaning/use: It is easier said than done (talk is cheap). 

• Allí donde fueres, haz lo que vieres. – When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Literal Meaning/use: Follow the customs of the place where you settle.  

• Las paredes oyen. – Walls have ears.

Literal Meaning/use: We use this Spanish proverb as a hint to the person we are talking with that he or she should either avoid being explicit or, better still, change the subject altogether.  

SPANISH PROVERBS IN ENGLISH

The following are some Spanish Proverbs in English, I’m sure you’ll find them interesting to read. Some of them are funny Spanish proverbs and talk about life in a playful way. 

• Cuando el gato va a sus devociones, ¡bailan los ratones! – When the cat goes to his devotions, the rats dance! 
• El hábito no hace al monje. – The habit does not make the monk.
• Hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma. – Speaking of the king of Rome, he’s appearing at the door. 
• Echar margaritas a los cerdos / Arrojar perlas a los cerdos. – Give daisies to the hogs. / Cast pearls to the hogs. 
• Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando. – A bird in hand is worth more than a hundred in flight.

 

SPANISH LOVE PROVERBS

The following is a list of our favorite old-time Spanish love proverbs, we hope you find some advice about love while you read them. 

• Chancla que yo tiro, no la vuelvo a levantar. – If I throw my sandal, I am never picking it up. 

Meaning/Usage: Once I let you go, I will never want you back.

• Frente al amor y la muerte no sirve de nada ser fuerte. – Face love head on because death has no strength. 

Meaning/Usage: Fight for love with your whole might. 

•  Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr. – Water that isn’t drinkable, let it run. 

Meaning/Usage:  If it’s not working, let it go.

• Amor loco, yo por tí y tú por otro. – Crazy love, I for you and you for another. 

Meaning/Usage:  It’s crazy to love someone who doesn’t love you, but loves another instead. 

• Amor de niño, agua en cestillo. – Love of child, water in basket.

Meaning/Usage:  Young love is fickle.

SPANISH LOVE PHRASES

• Te Quiero or Me gustas – I Like You

Usage: It is used in a more casual way and literally translates to I want you or I like you. 

• Te Amo – I Love You

Usage: It is commonly used when you want to declare your love to someone. 

• Mi Amor – My Love

Usage: Mi Amor, which can also be said as “Amor,” is a common Spanish phrase among couples. It is used to describe or introduce someone you love to people. 

• Cariño – Darling

Usage: You can spice up your conversation by calling your loved one “Cariño” Instead of calling him/her“Amor”all the time.  

• Estoy enamorado/a – I’m In love

Usage: It is used to tell a girl or a guy you admire and how much you are falling for them.

• Te voy a echar de menos – I am going to miss you

Usage: This Spanish phrase is meant to be used when you are saying goodbye.

• Pienso en tí siempre – I’m always thinking of you

Usage: It is used when you want to make your love feelings known to someone and tell them how much you have fallen for them. 

In conclusion, it takes practice to master all the Spanish Proverbs about life and love in Spanish we just considered. We’ll urge you to go through them once again so you don’t forget any of them. Also, we hope you’ve learned something new about Spanish today! 

If you want to learn more Spanish vocabulary, we recommend you to read how to say happy birthday and best wishes in Spanish.

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