30 Essential Mexican Spanish Sayings

Learning a new language is not just about memorizing grammar rules or expanding your vocabulary. To truly understand and communicate effectively in another language, you must also dive into its idiomatic expressions and sayings, as these are often deeply rooted in the culture. In this article, we’ll explore 30 essential Mexican Spanish sayings that not only highlight the richness of the language but also provide insight into the cultural nuances of Mexico. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, these sayings will enrich your understanding of Mexican Spanish and help you communicate more naturally.

Wisdom and Understanding

1. A buen entendedor, pocas palabras.
   This saying is similar to the English expression, “A word to the wise is enough.” It means that a person who is wise or knowledgeable doesn’t need a lot of explanation to understand something.
2. Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.
   Translated as “A sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current,” this saying warns against being complacent or inattentive, as it can lead to missed opportunities or negative consequences.
3. Más vale tarde que nunca.
   “Better late than never” is a saying that encourages action, even if it’s delayed. It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
4. El que madruga, Dios lo ayuda.
   This saying, “The early bird catches the worm,” emphasizes the value of starting your day early to increase your chances of success.
5. En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
   Translated as “Flies don’t enter a closed mouth,” this saying advises keeping quiet to avoid trouble or saying something regrettable.

Optimism and Perseverance

6. Al mal tiempo, buena cara.
   This phrase means “Put on a brave face in tough times” and encourages maintaining a positive attitude even during difficult situations.
7. Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.
   Literally, “The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil,” this saying suggests that experience is more valuable than innate skill or cunning.
8. Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.
   This translates to “Raise ravens, and they’ll peck your eyes out,” warning that those you help might turn against you.
9. Donde manda capitán, no gobierna marinero.
   “When the captain commands, the sailor doesn’t rule” is a saying that highlights the importance of hierarchy and respecting authority.
10. Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
    This saying, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” advises appreciating what you have rather than risking it for something uncertain.

Family and Society

11. De tal palo, tal astilla.
    “Like father, like son” or “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” reflects how children often resemble their parents in behavior or traits.
12. En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.
    “In the house of the blacksmith, a wooden knife” highlights the irony when professionals lack the very tools or qualities they specialize in.
13. No hay mal que por bien no venga.
    “Every cloud has a silver lining” is the English equivalent of this saying, suggesting that good can come out of bad situations.
14. Perro que ladra no muerde.
    “Barking dogs seldom bite” is used to describe people who make threats but don’t act on them.
15. El hábito no hace al monje.
    “Clothes don’t make the man” is what this saying means, warning against judging someone solely by their appearance.

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Relationships and Human Nature

16. Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
    This translates to “Out of sight, out of mind,” meaning that what you don’t see or know about can’t hurt you emotionally.
17. A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
    “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” advises accepting gifts without criticism.
18. Haz bien y no mires a quién.
    “Do good deeds without expecting anything in return” is the essence of this saying, promoting altruism.
19. El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.
    This translates to “He who grasps too much, holds little,” cautioning against taking on too many tasks at once.
20. No todo lo que brilla es oro.
    “Not all that glitters is gold” warns that appearances can be deceiving.

Success and Caution

21. El que no tranza, no avanza.
    This controversial saying, “He who doesn’t cheat, doesn’t succeed,” reflects a cynical view on success in competitive environments.
22. Matar dos pájaros de un tiro.
    “Killing two birds with one stone” means achieving two goals with one action.
23. Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.
    “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are” highlights how our companions reflect our character.
24. Lo que no mata, engorda.
    “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” often used humorously when someone eats something unhealthy.
25. Cuando el río suena, es porque agua lleva.
    This translates to “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” meaning rumors often have some truth behind them.

Common Sense and Life Lessons

26. A caballo dado no se le mira el diente.
    This is another version of “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” reminding us to appreciate gifts without being critical.
27. Piedra que rueda no cría moho.
    “A rolling stone gathers no moss” suggests that staying active and moving forward keeps you from stagnating.
28. El que tiene tienda, que la atienda.
    “He who has a shop should take care of it” implies that you should manage your responsibilities personally.
29. No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver.
    “There’s no worse blind man than the one who doesn’t want to see” highlights willful ignorance.
30. Hablando del rey de Roma, y el burro que asoma.
    “Speak of the devil, and he shall appear” is used when someone you’re talking about unexpectedly shows up.

Embrace Mexican Spanish with Authentic Sayings

By learning these Mexican Spanish sayings, you’ll not only expand your vocabulary but also gain a deeper understanding of Mexican culture and communication styles. These expressions will help you connect more authentically with native speakers and enrich your language-learning journey.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into the richness of Mexican Spanish and explore more cultural nuances, consider checking out Short Stories in Mexican Spanish. This book offers a perfect blend of storytelling and cultural immersion, ideal for Spanish learners at any level.

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