REFRANES POPULARES – POPULAR SAYINGS
It is common in many countries to have expressions or sayings that represent something especial and that are generally used to exemplify a situation or clarify a specific point of view. Sometimes they have been transmitted form generation to generation, some others they are just created based on the necessity to make fun of something or to exaggerate the meaning of a situation. Here there is a list of popular proverbs that are said in Colombia and in some other countries. They are translated into English in case you are interested in using them.
| English | Spanish |
| early to bed and early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise) | a quien madruga Dios lo ayuda. madrugar = to get up early |
| brain is better than brawn | más vale maña que fuerza. maña = skill, knack |
| out of sight, out of mind | ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente |
| we all make mistakes | el que tiene boca se equivoca |
| if you keep your mouth shut, you won’t put your foot in it | en boca cerrada no entran moscas |
| if you buy cheaply, you pay dearly | lo barato sale caro |
| you can’t teach an old dog new tricks | loro viejo no aprende a hablar loro = parrot |
| better late than never | más vale tarde que nunca |
| no cows, no cares | quien no tiene, no teme |
| better safe than sorry | más vale prevenir que curar; |
| it’s no use crying over spilt milk | a lo hecho pecho |
| every cloud has a silver lining | no hay mal que por bien no venga |
| never put off till tomorrow what you can do today | no dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy |
| the end justifies the means | el fin justifica los medios |
AMOR Y AMISTAD
¿Qué es la amistad?
Es una puerta que se abre,
una mano extendida,
una sonrisa que te alienta,
una mirada que te comprende,
una lágrima que se une a tu dolor,
una palabra que te anima,
y una crítica que te mejora.
Es un abrazo de perdón,
un aplauso que te estimula,
un encuentro que te regocija,
un favor sin recompensa,
un dar sin exigir,
una entrega sin calcular,
y un esperar… sin cansancio.
El Grito de la Independencia! Mexican Independence Day.
Mural depicting the Grito de Dolores, by Juan O'Gorman.
Cry of Dolores — battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain, first uttered by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, parish priest of Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato state), on Sept. 16, 1810.
Hidalgo was involved in a plot against the Spanish colonial government, and, when the plot was betrayed, he decided to act immediately. After arming the people, he addressed them from the pulpit, encouraging them to revolt. The exact text of this most famous of all Mexican speeches is not known, and a wide variety of “reconstructed” versions have been published, but he may have said, in essence, “Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe [symbol of the Indians' faith], death to bad government, death to the gachupines [the Spaniards]!” Hidalgo amassed a large popular mob-army, but after much reckless pillage and bloodshed the movement was suppressed and Hidalgo himself was captured and executed on July 31, 1811. Hidalgo’s “cry” became the cry of independence. In commemoration, each year on the night of September 15—the eve of Mexican Independence Day—the president of the republic shouts a version of “el Grito” from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City: “Viva México! Viva la Independencia! Vivan los héroes!” The ceremony is broadcast throughout the country and is repeated in smaller scale in many towns and villages.
[excerpted from "Grito de Dolores." Encyclopædia Britannica. <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9038161>.]
LLC Spanish Speakers, My Spanish Space, Spanish Table | Comments OffUn poco de Cultura “Argentina”
Hola Amigos!
Today, I would like to share with you the Argentinian National Anthem… the most important thing is that, inside this video, you’re going to find beautiful pictures of my country!… I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Uncategorized | Comments OffCOLOMBIAN EXPRESSIONS
IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTICE HOW IN SPANISH AS IN ENGLISH THERE ARE SOME EXPRESSIONS THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT ARE COMMON NOT MANY FOREIGN PEOPLE KNOW THEM, THIS USUALLY HAPPENS BECAUSE THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL LANGUAGE AND IN ORDER TO MANAGE A LANGUAGE PROPERLY YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS CHANGES. FOR EXAMPLE NOT ALL THE TIME PEOPLE SPEAK IN A VERY FORMAL WAY SOMETIMES THEY JUST PLAY WITH SOME WORDS AND THEN IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF A CONVERSATION IF YOU ARE NOT USE TO HEARING THIS KIND OF THINGS. NEXT YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF EXPRESSIONS THAT ARE REALLY COMMON IN COLOMBIA AND THAT MANY PEOPLE USE IN THE STREETS OR WHEN THEY ARE TALKING TO SOMEONE ELSE. THESE EXPRESSIONS ARE SOMETIMES KNOWN IN SOUTH AMERICA BUT SOME OTHER TIMES IT IS DIFFICULT EVEN FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER WHEN SPEAKING BECAUSE THEIR BACKGROUND IS NOT THE SAME. SO HERE IS THE LIST IN CASE YOU FIND SOME PROBLEMS TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE EXPRESSIONS CONTACT ME OR POST A COMMENT AND I WILL EXPLAIN THE WHOLE MEANING…
My Spanish Space | Comments OffArgentina Greets Willamette Community!
Hola a todos!!! 
Soy Melina y soy Asistente de Español. I’m here to help you with your Spanish lessons.
I come from a special country which has a variety of landscapes, music, people, foods and drinks. One of the most important characteristics of Argentina is Tango. It’s a typical hot dancing well known in the rest of the world. Here you have just a bit of “tango”… watch the video and have fun!!!
