This lesson is part of the Intermediate Spanish Course (143 lessons)
Expand and master your Spanish skills with this in-depth view of more advanced grammar topics, vocabulary and expressions that have been condensed and simplified so that you can understand and remember them in no time at all. This course is jam-packed with easy-to-follow information that will enable you to not just understand and be understood, but really show off!
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In this free Spanish lesson we will look at more commonly used Spanish Proverbs (Refranes) and Spanish Idioms (Modismos). This is the final lesson in a series of three Spanish video lessons on the topic and I hope very much that you enjoy gaining a closer insight into these interesting aspects of the language. An “Idiom” (Modismo) is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words, such as “It is raining cats and dogs”. Without a familiarity with the idiom you would have no idea what it meant. Idioms are a form of expression natural to a language, person, or group of people. A “Proverb” (Refrán) is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated to express a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures and you will recognise some similar proverbs and idioms in the list of Spanish proverbs and idioms I will provide in these lessons. Spanish speakers use proverbs and idioms a lot in everyday conversation. In my experience, we use them much more than most English speakers. I think they are really interesting and great fun learn and to use. They are an easy way to impress someone as well if you can throw in a timely Spanish proverb or Spanish idiom here and there.
Lesson notes:
Mucho ruido y pocas nueces: All mouth and no trousers
Tan cierto como dos y dos son cuatro: As sure as eggs
Donde hay hambre, no hay pan duro: Beggars can’t be choosers
Más vale maña que fuerza: Brain is better than brawn
La prudencia es la madre de la ciencia: Discretion is the better part of valor
El que la sigue la consigue: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
El mundo es un pañuelo: It’s a small world
Más vale estar sólo que mal acompañado: A Spanish expression which means solitude is better than bad company
En boca cerrada no entran moscas: A Spanish expression which means that you are better off keeping quiet and minding your own business
Activity:
Translate the following sentences to Spanish…
It’s a small world
Brain is better than brawn
As sure as eggs
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
Here are the answers to the last activity:
No es oro todo lo que reluce
Tanto monta, monta tanto
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando
Como quien oye llover
