Image: shutterstock
About This Quiz
Buenos dÃas! Brush up on your Spanish and the quirky, wise, and meaningful sayings that are found in the language. Like English, sayings in the Spanish language touch on a variety of subjects. Most Spanish sayings have an English counterpart that may directly or indirectly translate. There are even a few that don't really mean much or make sense in English at all. What is your favorite Spanish saying?
Do you know what "Al mal tiempo, buena cara" means in English? Do you know what the wise "Más vale solo que mal acompañado" means when translated into English? How about the simple choice of "plata o plomo"? Know your conjugations and your key Spanish words to figure out these sayings!
Can you translate the saying, "Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente"? What about the wise saying, "Moro viejo nunca será buen cristiano"? Do you know the translation of the pleasant saying, "Del tal palo, tal astilla"? If those are too easy, do you know the true meaning of the popular phrase "despacito"? These sayings may not be what you think they are!
If you're fluent in Spanish, or if you're talented at translation, this quiz will put you to the test. Take it to see how well you really know your Spanish sayings!
What is the English translation of "El que madruga coge agua clara"?
Walk in a straight line.
Move it or lose it.
He who gets up early gets the clear water.
The correct translation is: "He who gets up early gets the clear water." This is similar to the English meaning, which is "The early bird gets the worm."
Practice makes perfect.
What is the correct translation of "Cuentas claras amistades largas" in English?
With power comes responsibility.
Don't leave it until last minute.
Keep your head held high.
Long friendships, clear accounts.
The correct translation is: "Long friendships, clear accounts." The meaning of the saying is to keep your friendships less complicated by paying what you owe or fulfilling your debts to your friends and likewise.
What does the phrase "CrÃa cuervos y te sacarán los ojos" mean in English?
Raise crows and they will peck your eyes out.
The phrase directly translates to "Raise crows and they will peck your eyes out." The meaning of the phrase refers to ungratefulness after helping someone.
With power comes great responsibility.
Meet me in the middle.
You win some, you lose some.
Advertisement
The phrase "Cuando el rÃo suena, agua lleva" means what in English?
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
This phrase means "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Literally, the phrase is: "When the river dreams, it brings water," but takes on the same meaning of our phrase from English.
Never judge a book by its cover.
You can't have bread and eat it too.
Be careful.
What is the English translation of "plata o plomo?"
Silver or lead.
The correct translation is: "Silver or lead." The meaning of the saying is, "Take my offering or be killed." It would be used to tell someone to take a bribe and go on their way.
Truth or dare.
Live and love.
Live long and prosper.
What is the English translation of "Zapatero a tus zapatos?"
Help your friends.
Keep yourself available.
Mind your own business.
The correct translation is "mind your own business." The saying can also take on other similar meanings, such as "stick to what you know."
Show your emotions.
Advertisement
What is the English translation of "El que la hace, la paga?"
He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
The correct translation of this saying is "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword." The saying means that you need to face the consequences of your actions.
If you see it, you should report it.
Don't leave behind what you could have brought with you.
The troubles you had are no longer troubles.
What is the English translation of "Más ven cuatro ojos que dos?"
Two plus two equals four.
Be a team player.
Work together.
Four eyes see better than two.
The correct translation is: "Four eyes see better than two." The meaning of the saying is similar to the English saying, "Two heads are better than one," meaning that working together can be more effective and helpful.
What is the English translation of "Con panciencia y con maña, un elefant se comió una araña"?
If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all.
Two heads are better than one.
With patience and skill an elephant ate a spider.
This translates to: "With patience and skill an elephant ate a spider." The phrase takes on the same meaning as the English phrase, "Take it one step at a time."
Let it be.
Advertisement
What does the saying "mas vale tarde que nunca" translate to in English?
Listen closely.
Keep your friends close.
Always watch your back.
Better late than never.
The correct translation is: "Better late than never." The meaning of this saying is the same as it is in English, quite literally meaning that even getting something in late, or doing something late is better than never doing it.
What is the English translation: "Papar moscas"?
to count
to consult
to move
to daydream
The correct translation is: "To daydream." This has the same meaning in English, and speaks of the act of daydreaming and how it can snap you out of reality.
What is the English translation of "Cada loco con su tema?"
To each his own.
The translation of this saying is: "To each his own." The meaning is that each person has their own opinions and things that they enjoy.
Don't work alone.
Keep your friends close.
Present the evidence.
Advertisement
What is the translations of "Año nuevo, vida nueva" in English?
The year is here.
You stay or you go.
All in, all out.
New year, new life.
The translation of the phrase is "New year, new life." This takes on the same meaning as English phrases like "new year, new me" and means you have a new chance to live.
What does "despacito" mean in English?
slowly
"Despacito" may be a popular song, but many people may not know what the word means. The word's meaning in English is "slowly."
happy
independent
intimidating
What is the English translation of "Más vale solo que mal acompañado?"
Never invite your friends over.
Don't go to public places.
Keep yourself grounded.
It's better to be alone than to be in bad company.
The correct translation is: "It's better to be alone than to be in bad company." The meaning of the saying is to surround yourself with good people, but if you can't, being alone may be better after all.
Advertisement
The saying "Hierba mala nunca muere" translates to what in English?
Live fast, die young.
Love with your heart.
Leave the past behind.
Bad weeds never die.
The correct translation is: "Bad weeds never die." This phrase is commonly used in a joking manner, and can be used to make a person feel better as well.
What is the English translation of "A pan de quince dÃas, hambre de tres semanas"?
Ready, set go!
Move on with your life.
Don't leave behind your roots.
A fifteen-day bread, a three-week hunger.
The correct translation is: "A 15-day bread, a three-week hunger." The equivalent of the phrase in English is, "Beggars can't be choosers."
The English translation of "Calladita te ves mas bonita" is what?
Put in your two cents.
The magic of learning.
You look prettier when you're quiet.
The correct translation is: "You look prettier when you're quiet." This is not as harsh as it may sound, as it is used as a way to tell someone to stay out of something or ask them to be quiet.
Keep it simple.
Advertisement
What is the English translation of "Las palabras se las ileva el viento?"
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Thank god it's Friday.
Welcome to my world.
Actions speak louder than words.
The correct translation is: "Actions speak louder than words." The phrase has the same meaning in both languages which is used to say that anyone can say something, but to act on it is important.
What does the phrase "Barriga llena, corazòn contento" mean in English?
The sun brings happiness.
Radiate positivity.
A happy mind equals a happy heart.
Full belly, happy heart.
This Spanish phrase directly translates to, "Full belly, happy heart." The phrase is used to say that when one has all of their needs fulfilled, they will be happy.
What does the phrase "Hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta se asoma" mean?
When in Rome.
Leave the past in the past.
Speak of the devil and he'll appear.
The correct meaning is "Speak of the devil and he'll appear." It means the same thing as the English translation of the phrase does.
Don't look back.
Advertisement
What is the English translation of "Moro viejo nunca será buen cristiano?"
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Live life your way.
Don't forget to turn the stove off.
An old Moor will never be a good Christian.
The correct translation is: "An old Moor will never be a good Christian." This is similar to the English saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
What does the saying "hijo de tigre pintito" translate to in English?
Make yourself available.
Put your life into perspective.
Don't forget where you belong.
The son of the tiger has spots.
The correct translation of this saying is: "The son of the tiger has spots." The meaning of the saying is that a son or daughter is just like their parents.
What does the phrase "Quien fue a Sevilla perdió su silla" translate to in English?
Whoever goes to Sevilla loses their seat.
The correct translation is: "Whoever goes to Sevilla loses their seat." In English, this means that if you leave, you will lose your spot whether it be in line or a waiting room.
Sevilla is where the party is happening.
Citizens of Sevilla have lots of hospitality.
Go to Sevilla, return with vanilla.
Advertisement
What is the translation of "Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres" in English?
Bring me your gifts.
See you in the morning.
Don't cry over spilled milk.
Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.
The correct translation is: "Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are." The meaning of the saying is that you can tell who someone is by the people with whom they surround themselves.
What does the saying "no caerá esa breva" translate to in English?
Learn independence.
Float like a butterfly.
Be valuable.
No such luck.
The saying translates to "No such luck." The saying is used the same way as it is in English, meaning that someone was unlucky or that something has not happened.
What does the saying "Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente" translate to in English?
Become a leader.
Follow your dreams.
Out of sight, out of mind.
The correct translation is: "Out of sight, out of mind." It has the same meaning as the English saying, meaning that if something is no longer in your life, you'll think about it less.
Things will always get better.
Advertisement
What is the English translation of "Del tal palo, tal astilla?"
Learn the basics.
Stay unnoticed.
A chip off the old block.
This saying can be translated to a couple of different English sayings. In addition to, "a chip off the old block," it can also mean "like father, like son."
Don't knock it until you try it.
What is the English translation of "Del dicho al hecho hay un buen trecho?"
Easier said than done.
The correct translation is: "Easier said than done." The meaning of the saying is the same, that it's much easier to say something than to act on it.
Look forward to the future.
Practice makes perfect.
The early bird gets the worm.
What is the English translation of "Dar en el clavo?"
Hit the nail on the head.
The correct translation is: "Hit the nail on the head." The meaning of the phrase is the same as it is in English, as it is used to say that somebody did a great job.
All good things must come to an end.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Keep it moving.
Advertisement
What is the English translation of "Lavar cerdos con jabón es perder tiempo y jabón?"
Washing pigs with soap is to lose time and soap.
The correct translation is: "Washing pigs with soap is to lose time and sop." The saying talks about wasting your time when doing something.
Don't put too many irons in the fire.
Keep yourself busy.
Laughter is the best medicine.
The phrase "Al mal tiempo, buena cara" means what in English?
Keep the tempo going.
Don't rush.
Bad weather, good face.
The phrase directly translates to, "Bad weather, good face." The true meaning of the phrase is that when things go wrong, be brave and overcome it.
Always write things down.
What is the English translation of "Como el que oye llover"?
Like the one who hears the rain.
The correct translation is: "Like the one who hears the rain." An English saying with the same meaning is: "It fell on deaf ears," used to say that someone has ignored something you've said to try to help them.
As quiet as the river.
The sound of a weeping willow.
As proud as a lion.
Advertisement
What is the English translation of "Mucho ayuda el que no estorba?"
There are lots of places to go when you need help.
Keep yourself busy.
Look forward to your future.
The best way to help is to not get in the way.
The English translation is: "The best way to help is to not get in the way." The meaning of the phrase is that sometimes the biggest help you can offer someone is to leave them alone to work on themselves.
What does the saying "Caballo regalado no se le mira el diente" translate to in English?
Carry on.
Don't forget your roots.
Keep it moving.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
The correct translation is: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." The saying is used to tell someone to be grateful for any gift that they receive, no matter what it is.
You Got:
/35
shutterstock