The following short Mexican sayings are living proof that Mexican culture is a well of popular wisdom and oral transmission that results in ingenious and very useful linguistic resources. They have a saying for everything!
Through these short phrases, ironic as well as forceful , Mexicans express advice, warnings and values to define specific situations.
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The proverb and phrases in Mexican culture
The oral resource of the proverb contains two essences that are intrinsic to Mexican culture: acidity and tradition. That is why phrases and proverbs are a very important part of Mexican culture, because just as it has its roots in popular wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation.
In addition, through set phrases, Mexicans sharpen any situation, however anecdotal it may seem. The verbal resources used in these proverbs are a clear expression of the sense of humor and ingenuity of this people . 50 Mexican sayings and what they mean
For all this, sometimes sayings are somewhat encrypted. Nothing better than the following guide to discover the hidden meaning of some proverbs and enjoy the hilarious meaning of many others. 1. I must, I do not deny; I pay, I don’t have.
We start the series with this clever phrase in which the debtor acknowledges his debt, and his inability to pay it off. 2. Each little chapel receives her little party.
There are also nice sayings like this one that calls for optimism: good things appear at any time. 3. The nopal is only approached when it has prickly pears.
The nopal is what the Mexicans call the cactus, and its fruit is the prickly pear. Saying that speaks of those who turn to one only when they want to get something out of it.4. Little bottle of sherry, everything you tell me will be backwards.
Witty and funny phrase to elegantly repel an insult or an accusation. 5. Let’s give it molle de pot!
The pot mole is one of the richest dishes in the country. The phrase invites you to throw yourself boldly into an action to get what you want. 6. Chocolate that does not have, of course.
Expresses the poorly done job of someone or something that is not working. 7. He who walks with wolves, is taught to howl.
Typical saying in which it is warned to select the companies well. 8. He who is a parakeet, wherever he wants he is green.
The parakeet is a bird with green plumage. One’s talent makes you stand outwherever you are. 9. Kill fleas with bullets.
It is used to describe disproportion, when we exceed the means to achieve an end. 10. Neither so much that it burns the saint, nor so much that it does not shine.
This is one of the most popular Mexican sayings, which warns us that all extremes end up being bad. It is better to find the middle point . 11. The broth was more expensive than the meatballs.
Metaphor to refer to when more efforts are spent than the final reward is worth. Also when cheap ends up being expensive. 12. In the absence of bread, tortillas.
It is better to settle for what is, than be sorry. 13. When there is hunger there is no bad bread.
You have to optimize resources and give thanks for what you have , however little it may seem. 14. To eat and mass, only once is it notified.
You have to take advantage of every opportunity, because they are few. 15. To the wrong step, hurry up.
Sometimes we have to do things even if we don’t like them.
We reveal the message of some sayings that you will hear in Mexico. | Image by: Mafer Benitez / Unsplash. 16. Happy the Indian, and you give him maracas.
People who keep goading someone into doing bad deeds are told. 17. Walking and pissing, to avoid making puddles.
This phrase is said to someone to rush him to do what he has promised. 18. Although the changa is dressed in silk, Maranga stays.
As much as one wants to show off, he cannot hide his real image. The changa is a monkey in colloquial language in Mexico. 19. Hen that gets up early, grabs the best worm.
To be successful during the day you have to get up early and eager. 20. If you want to meet Ines, live with her for a month.
Very common phrase in Mexico that she remembers that to get to know a person well, with their virtues and their defects, the best thing is daily coexistence. 21. Or all tails, or all tails.
Call for the need for justice and that there are no privileged. 22. Give the alon and eat the breast.
When someone wants to get a lot by offering little or nothing. 23. With money the dog dances.
If you want to get something from someone, the most effective thing is to offer them money . 24. Jack of all trades, master of none.
It is better to focus on something and do it well, than to want to start many things and not finish any of them. 25. New acocote, old tlachiquero.
The acocote in Mexico is a plant with fruits, and the tlachiquero is the expert in extracting the juice from the plants. It is best to leave the tasks in the hands of professionals .
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26. The donkey talking about ears.
When someone criticizes without taking into account that he has the same flaws. 27. The one who persists, he kills deer.
He who works with perseverance achieves his task. 28. Son of maguey, mecate.
The mecate is a rope made from the fibers of the maguey plant. The phrase is used when a son acts just like his father. 29. Almoner and with a club.
You say it when someone asks you for something without education or in bad manners. 30. He who does not get in the way helps a lot.
A warning for those who do not want to help but get into everything .
A selection of sayings to understand Mexican culture. | Image by: Bernardo Ramonfaur / Unsplash.31. It’s not the same back as haunches.
Comparative phrase for someone who is in a worse situation than another. 32. According to the toad, the stone.
On the importance of giving a proportionate response to problems . 33. To whom God does not give children, he lends nephews.
As much as you try not to get into trouble, you end up solving other people’s problems. 34. Fans in summer, and weights in hand.
He advises betting on safe businesses, rather than risky adventures. 35. You don’t complete pa’l jorongo and you want to buy tilma.
The jorongo is a poncho, and the tilma is a cape that covers the entire body. Invites to focus on the real possibilities of oneselfbefore trying to cover too much. 36. You don’t have to look for noise to the pork rinds.
Advice not to tempt fate when you know that something or someone is dangerous. 37. He who dines with aguardiente, has breakfast with water.
Warning for those who drink a lot, remembering the consequences of a hangover. 38. The one who is ox until the coyunda licks.
It refers to people with a submissive character, destined to suffer injustice if they do not rebel. The coyunda is the iron bar that joins two oxen by the yoke. 39. The deaf do not hear, but they compose well.
This refers to those who speak ill of others and intentionally spread rumors. 40. Master of what you keep silent, slave of what you say.
You have to think things through before saying them, and be very sure of what you say. 41. When the owl sings, the Indian dies.
This saying refers to the need to listen to the signs that warn of a bad future. The owl is a nocturnal bird of prey. 42. God does not fulfill whims, nor straighten hunchbacks.
The greatest guarantee of success is work, and not entrusting yourself to miracles. 43. Hunger is small, and more the one who endures it.
Warning for those who end up going hungry through their own carelessness. 44. The one who does not listen to advice, he does not get old.
To get far in life you have to listen to the recommendations of others. 45. Street lantern, darkness in your house.
Short saying for those who are heroes in public life but do not lead by example at home. 46. Shrimp that falls asleep, is carried away by the current.
In this life you have to be ready and always attentive; passivity leads to failure. 47. Open it lice, that’s where the comb goes.
Threatening phrase released by braggarts to intimidate the other. 48. Patent leather shoes, neither for the water nor for the sun.
He advises prioritizing the usefulness of things before their appearance or aesthetics. 49. The sea is old and it still makes waves.
When one maintains vigor despite age. 50. The violin doesn’t know anything about him and he plays all the sounds.
One of the most beautiful Mexican sayings, dedicated to those who are not dedicated to showing off, but rather stealthily demonstrate their talent.
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Bibliography
Mejia Prieto, J. Albures and sayings of Mexico. Landscape, 1985.
