Learn some Proverbs in Spanish
When learning a language, it’s as important to learn set phrases as it is to learn individual words, and a good way to do this is through sayings and idioms which are used in everyday conversation.
Spanish is as full of pithy sayings as English is. Proverbs rarely translate word for word, but they share their essential meaning with proverbs in other languages. Teach these in Spanish class and they them out on a school languages trip to help you sound extremely Spanish.
A diario manzana es cosa sana
‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ — although it actually translates as ‘An apple a day is a healthy thing’. And if you say it out loud, it rhymes in both languages.
No hay miel sin hiel
Literally this means ‘There is no honey without gall’, and can be said to mean ‘No need, no honey; no work, no money’. Another one that rhymes in both languages.
A palabras necias, oidos sordos
Something many people need to remember, this means ‘Deaf ears to foolish words’, or ‘Nobody listens to stupid things’.
Con esperanza no se come
‘One does not eat with hope’ is the literal translation, but in English it sounds better phrased as ‘Hope is a good breakfast but a poor supper’.
Todos los días se aprende algo
Simple and sweet, this means ‘Something can be learned every day’. Perfect for saying to your students!
El amor todo lo puede
This last proverb shows that ‘poder’ can sometimes be used on its own. Here it means ‘to be able to do something’, and the full proverb means ‘Love can do it all’, or ‘Love will find a way’.
Try these out in your next Spanish lesson and teach your students a little about life as well as language.
Please don’t hesitate to consider our school group tours to Spain. Lessons in our school trips can be catered exactly to your group’s needs. Create and customize your own bespoke school tour to Spain.
