80 popular short sayings (with their meaning)

Sayings are an essential part of our popular culture and a trace of our traditions. At some point we have all explained or expressed an idea with the help of one of the short sayings that he heard his mother or his grandmother say.

In addition, they are very useful when transmitting teachings and values ​​to others in a pleasant and easy-to-remember way. So that they continue to be part of your life, we have compiled the best Popular short sayings in Spanish with their meaning.

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Short and popular sayings with meaning

Sayings, also called proverbs, are those sayings or phrases that teach us; short sentences that sometimes rhyme and that we can easily remember, in which the raw material is popular wisdom and the experience of our peoples.

We use short sayings in contexts where we want to explain and learn or teach a lesson about something. The truth is that knowing and reflecting on the short sayings of our language, we can learn and understand a lot about our culture, where we come from and what are our roots.

Short sayings have been passed down from generation to generation For hundreds of years, and being part of the folklore of the towns, finding their authors is almost an impossible task, so they tend to remain anonymous. How many of them did you already know?

1. Every cloud has a silver lining.

We start with one of the short sayings that invite us to see the positive side of things, especially when things happen to us that we consider negative. According to this saying, we can always get something good of a bad situation.

2. Who sleeps a lot, learns little.

Popular saying that your mother probably used when watching you sleep until late in the afternoon, because we stop learning new things in the extra time we spend sleeping.

3. Like father Like Son.

One of the short sayings that cannot be missed is this one that teaches us that each one has things from where she comes, that is, from our parents. Behaviors, tastes, affinities, talents, or vices can also be inherited.

4. In a blacksmith's house, a wooden hoe.

And this is the saying for those people who are dedicated to doing certain activities or jobs that are later not applied at home. A chef who does not cook at home, a seamstress who does not fix hers, or a doctor who does not visit doctors are some examples.

5. Those who do not want broth are given two cups.

A lesson for those people who avoid doing something at all costs, not because it is something bad for them, but for comfort or liveliness. In the end, by avoiding it, they may end up doing even more than they should.

6. There is no worse blind than the one who does not want to see.

Many times we have the truth in front of our eyes and still we do not see it because we prefer to avoid it. This is what this short saying is about.

7. A good night comes to every pig.

Although it sometimes seems like not, for everyone there are opportunities in this life. This short saying can also be expressed as "Every pig gets its San Martín", meaning that in the end everyone ends up receiving the punishment they deserve.

8. He who does not run, he flies.

This is one of the short sayings that we use to motivate, so as not to lose enthusiasm and not let opportunities slip away, but rather go much faster after them. If we don't get there first, another will come.

9. There is no evil that lasts a hundred years, nor a body that resists it.

Another of the short sayings that invite us not to give up no matter how tough the situations are, because sooner or later the bad moments end.

10. Weed never dies.

With this saying we sentence people to wrongdoing, with whom we hit at certain times and who seem not to disappear. But it is also a short saying that is used with humor among acquaintances.

11. Jack of all trades, master of none.

For the girls who simply accept all kinds of projects and plans, who are then overwhelmed by the lack of time and the amount of commitments. The lesson is clear: he who wants to do everything, in the end he does not do long, because he is diluted in everything and nothing.

12. To bad weather, good face.

Our grandmothers have always sought to show us the positive side of things with short sayings like this one. In order not to lose the smile despite the circumstances.

13. In the mouth of the liar, the truth is doubtful.

That is why it is better to always go with the truth and not allow people to doubt our word.

14. A good listener, few words are enough.

Those moments when you try to explain something but your words get stuckHowever, you made your point understood. That's what this saying refers to.

15. To bread, bread and to wine, wine.

With this saying we are wanting to call things as they are, without detours or many turns.

16. Although the monkey dresses in silk, the monkey stays.

This is one of the short sayings that can be used maliciously, but that actually explains that even if we try to pretend otherwise, we are still who we are in our essence.

17. A gift horse does not look at the tooth.

For people who do not like what they are given and criticize everything they are given, the lesson of this saying is gratitude.

18. Wherever you go, do what you see.

Now that we travel much more and know new countries and new cultures, this is a saying of yesteryear perfect for contemporary life. Well, it teaches us that we must respect the culture of each place we arrive and its rules while we are there.

19. To foolish words, deaf ears.

We must learn to receive the words that do us good and immediately let go of those words that seek to harm us.

20. Full belly happy heart.

Our grandmothers are faithful believers that people's hearts are won through the belly and happiness is achieved. Proof of that is this popular saying.

21. Big horse, walk or not.

This saying is useful in two scenarios: to praise something for its large size, or to ridicule those who claim that things are better when they are bigger.

22. Five is not a pile, but seven already are.

And with this saying your mother would tell you not to abuse, in terms of arriving at a place with an extra one is not the same as arriving with your whole group of friends, for example.

23. Every madman with his theme and every wolf on his path.

This is one of the short sayings that are used to teach people not to get into the life and things of others, especially when it is in the spirit of criticism. To learn to live and let live in total freedom.

24. Raise crows and they will gouge out your eyes.

Being so traditional, a saying about fatherhood and the good education that is given to children could not be missing. Today many parents use it with humor.

25. Good and bad Tuesday, there are everywhere.

Another of the short sayings that invite us to have a positive attitude in bad weather and to accept that life needs both good and bad moments.

26. The devil is pork.

The devil is the figure that is traditionally used as a synonym of evil, of what leads us astray. On This popular saying refers to the traps that life leaves us so that we decide to fall or not in the right thing or in the bad thing.

27. Create fame and go to bed.

For better or worse, with a minimal act to speak of, people may always remember you for that, without you doing anything else.

28. When the river sounds, stones carry.

Of the favorite short sayings of grannies, for when we have a bad impression about something or someone, or when we sense that something may be wrong in a situation.

29. He believes the thief that all are of his condition.

More than stealing itself, this saying refers to the things we have done make us think that others have done it too. That what we see outside in others is because we have it inside us.

30. With time and patience, science is acquired.

We want to have it and know everything immediately, and because of that we forget that it is with patience and effort that we learn new things and become experts.

31. When the cat leaves, the mice have a party.

Of the short sayings to talk about what we do when others are not looking. A classic example is when the teacher leaves class and the students start talking.

32. From the chastened, the clever are born.

Some also say this saying as "the living lives from the fool" and refers to when people take advantage of others.

33. Better to be alone than in bad company.

This saying about choosing people well is very wise that we let into our lives.

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34. Where captain rules, no sailor rules.

A proverb that we can use to refer to those hierarchical situations, in which our parents or boss give us an order that we have no choice but to comply with.

35. From said to fact there is a long way to go.

It is no secret to anyone that shares are worth more than everything we have to say. Speaking is very easy but we must act accordingly.

36. The eye of the master fattens the horse.

We must be vigilant, pay attention to our interests and work hard on our entrepreneurship, because no one but us can put the necessary effort to get it out go ahead. This is what this saying is about.

37. Money that you loaned, enemy that you threw yourself.

Some say that debt to friends is the cause of the greatest financial and friendship losses.

38. At night, all cats are gray.

One of the most traditional short sayings. It used to be used when products were sold at night to hide their flaws, but today we use it with much more humor.

39. The fish dies by mouth.

Another popular saying that teaches us to be prudent with our words and to think before we speak.

40. The man and the bear, the uglier the more beautiful.

You have to judge people by what they have inside and not by their appearance.

41. Silence is consent.

When we don't make our point on an issue, we are letting others decide our position for us.

42. The one who searches, finds.

To motivate us to keep looking for what we need, what we want or what we dream of.

43. Where there was fire ashes remain.

One of the most used short sayings to talk, for example, of meetings between ex-boyfriends in which love can resurface.

44. He who does not cry does not breastfeed.

This saying is perfect for those times when we are tired of fighting and chasing people to achieve what we want. Also for people who want everything easy, because to achieve something you have to persist.

45. Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are.

It is said that the people we surround ourselves with show a lot of who we are, because we have chosen them for a reason. You will want to hide some of your friends with this saying.

46. Whoever makes the law, cheats.

Generally is a saying for people who include what they promise themselves. It is a bit about our own incoherence, but some also use it to refer to politicians, for example.

47. Who laughs last laughs better.

Another of the short sayings that can be used with a lot of humor or with a lot of seriousness for those who celebrate before their time.

48. Whoever has a mouth makes mistakes.

This saying reminds us that we are all human and therefore, far from being perfect.

49. He who splits and distributes gets the best part.

As with birthday cakes, whoever the party can decide what servings to give to others and keep the best for themselves.

50. On Tuesday neither marry nor embark.

There are several popular sayings that speak of Tuesday because in the past it was considered an unlucky day.

51. Time heals everything, except old age and madness.

Of the short sayings that we can use for the sorrows of love and, in general, the moments of mourning and hopelessness.

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52. The one who has a store that attends it and instead sells it.

Another saying that invites us to take care of our businesses, take charge of them so that they give better results.

53. Rooster that does not sing something he has in his throat.

When we are in a group actively participating in conversations and there is someone who remains silent, we think according to this popular adage that that person is affected by the conversation or that they have something to hide about that theme.

54. Do good and do not look at who.

Sayings also teach us to do our best always and be good people to everyone.

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55. Hope is the last thing you lose.

Another phrase to stay positive in the face of the vicissitudes of life, which your grandmother probably used many times with you.

56. Favor with favor it's paid.

Rather, it is an invitation to be open to helping each other always.

57. The happiness of the ugly, the beautiful wants it.

This is another of the most popular short sayings even if it is a bit sexist, due to the conditions of our society of yesteryear.

58. Genius and figure to the grave.

Use this saying when you want to refer to those specific characteristics of people. Of course, always with love and a little humor.

59. Clear accounts and thick chocolate.

As long as the accounts are clear between the parties, there is no reason to have problems. You can use this saying when they are splitting accounts between friends for example.

60. The courteous does not take away the bravery.

This is one of those sayings that can disarm people when they are not being very polite, because it speaks of good manners not taking away the courage of people.

61. What does not kill you, get you fat.

You probably remember this short saying from your childhoodWhen you dropped a potato on the floor and in order not to waste it, you picked it up from the floor and immediately ate it.

62. The first impression is what counts.

One of the traditional short sayings that remains more current than ever and that you should not explain a lot, because as his words say, he says that there is no second chance for a first Print.

63. What is promised is debt.

This is how we should treat our promises, as duties with which we are committed if or if, for example, how we take on debts.

64. Borrowed, lost or damaged book.

For the book eaters who treasure and hate to borrow their books, we already understand why.

65. Laziness is the mother of all vices.

More than once he told us this saying our mother when we didn't want to organize our room or do our homework.

66. The devil knows more as an old man than as a devil.

Because true wisdom comes with years and experiences.

67. Bulls are best seen from the sidelines.

It is one of the short sayings that can help you show humility and empathy when you are giving a advice to a friend about a situation, because it is easier for the one she advises than for whom she is advising living.

68. Bird in hand is better than hundreds flying.

Sometimes by trying to tackle more things we end up not doing or having anything. That is why it is better to focus and have "a bird in hand" than thousands of projects that do not result in anything.

69. No one knows what He has, until He loses it.

Another of the Most popular short sayings that appear even in songs. We get used to the people around us, to situations, things, etc. To which we do not give the proper importance until we lose them and we realize the great treasure we had.

70. Not all that glitters is gold.

Wise words to teach us not to be dazzled by what we see on the outside, because not everything or everyone is what they seem.

71. Out of sight, out of mind.

one of the most popular short sayings, perfect for those moments when you do something behind the back of someone who, by not seeing it, will never notice it. (We are talking about something godly, like eating candy from a candy jar that is not yours.)

72. Who goes wrong wrong ends.

We know what we're getting into every road we take. if we do bad things we will end badly as this saying goes.

73. Some are born with stars and others with stars.

If you need short sayings for those inexplicable situations in life in which some seem everything goes well as if by magic, while others do everything wrong, this is very appropriate.

74. Barking dog, little biter.

Y this saying is the one indicated for people who talk a lot but they do very little, they say much more than they really are.

75. Where the heart leans, the foot walks.

This is one of the short sayings that teaches us to pay attention to the heart and that this is the compass of our journey.

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76. To the skinny dog, everything turns to fleas.

A way of saying that when things go wrong, everything tends to turn out even worse.

77. In the absence of bread, good are cakes.

It is used to express that when we cannot obtain something, we can settle for some alternative.

78. Hunger is a very bad counselor.

When we are hungry we can be more impulsive, for example, when shopping. By extension, this saying shows us that being guided by our passions or needs is not a good idea.

79. Birds of a feather flock together.

One way of saying that rude people tend to befriend each other.

80. Whoever had, retained.

Experience and talents never expire.