Dichos Populares

Check this website:

http://www.ciudad-real.es/varios/dichos/a.php

I has a long list of popular sayings ... very interesting.

A brazo partido

A brazo partido

Locución utilizada -especialmente- en compañía de los verbos «trabajar» y «luchar». Expresa que una acción ha sido realizada con mucha intensidad, debido a que «brazo partido» literalmente significa «con los brazos solos, sin armas».

Used usually with the verbs work and fight (trabajar and luchar) and express the action done with much intensity.

Es la Pera ...

"¡Es la pera!"

The other day I offered to do something for friend. I really meant it! I wanted to help! His answer was SOYS LA PERA ... I hoped it was a good thing, at least I like pears! I asked me him to explain, so it means something so good it is beyond the expected, and you keep on doing it over and over again.

Madrugar

"A quien madruga Dios lo ayuda."

madrugar = to get up early

In English, the equivalence would be: "it's the early bird that catches the worm"; "early to bed and early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise)"

Literal translation is: God helps who gets up early, meaning you do your part and all will fall into place.

Pájaros volando ...

"Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando."

In English you could say: "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". Let´s us know occasions in which you used this proverb. We all could learn from it!

40 de Mayo

"Hasta el 40 de mayo, no te quites el sayo."

Meaning one never know what May will bring in terms of weather. You better be safe until May 40th! A lady quoted this to me the other day because this month has been crazy ... lots of rain, sun, rain again, cold, warm ... one never knows what to wear. As I mentioned the next day we were supposed to get rain again, she said the expression above.

Ps. "sayo" is an old word for "abrigo" (jacket).

Discussing Price

"Te va a salir más caro el collar que el perro."

I went to buy a storage piece of furniture yesterday at a second-hand store. I saw one I kind of liked and it had an affordable price. It was a little short, so I said I would have to add some legs to it. AND, the handles were ugly, and I said I would have to change them as well.

The salesman looked at me and said the expression above. It means that if you are spending too much to fix a cheap piece of furniture, you will end up spending more money on the fixing up than on the furniture itself. Obviously, it can be said about any purchase.

The translation is: the collar will be more expensive than the dog. :)

You better watch out!

"Cuando vea las barbas de tu vecino pelar, pon las tuyas a remojar."

This means that if something is happening to someone, you better be watchful as the same can happen to you!

Spring Weather

"Marzo ventoso, abril lluvioso, mayo florido y hermoso."

It is a popular saying that refers to the weather and its consequences. If you have a windy March, you might just have a rainy April. This combination will make possible for a flowery and beautiful May!

Enjoy impressing your friends with this timely expression!