Every language has it's nuggets of wisdom - those bite-sized proverbs that pack a punch of truth, wit and life lessons. In Spanish, they say: decir refranes es decir verdades - 'to speak proverbs is to speak truth'. When it comes to learning Spanish, who wouldn't want a little truth and wisdom on their side? Let's dip into a treasure chest of Spanish proberbs, built through generations, and see what timeless advice there is for language learners.

El que tiene boca se equivoca - 'Anyone who has a mouth makes mistakes'

Mistakes aren’t just inevitable - they’re essential! Every slip of the tongue, every mixed up verb, every ‘oops’ moment is a stepping stone. Mistakes are proof you’re actually using the language, and the more you dare to speak the more you’ll grow. 

Don’t hold back - say it wrong, say it messy, say it anyway. Each stumble inches you closer to fluency.

Preguntando se llega a Roma - 'You get to Rome by asking the way'

While Google maps may have dulled the power of this proverb, the wisdom remains. Questions are the fuel of progress. Don’t be shy asking when you’re unsure. In English we say - ‘the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask’. Curiosity is your compass - let it guide you.

Las comparaciones son odiosas - 'Comparisons are hateful'

There is so much to unpack from such a short powerful proverb - but at it’s heart comparison is rooted in something innately unhelpful and barbed. In English we say ‘comparison is the thief of joy’. However you like to say it, comparing yourself to others doesn’t get you to a better place. Learning Spanish isn’t about winning, being better than anyone - it’s about connection, it’s about attempting something miraculous - to speak a different language and in so doing discover a new world.

Focus on your progress and enjoyment, not how you’re doing in comparison to others (your perception may not be correct in the first place). If someone is speaking well, take note of how they string their sentences together or pronounce certain words. If you have a chance to help someone, do it! Teaching others is one of the best revision there is - we’re all in this together!

Lo barato sale caro - 'Cheap things turn out expensive' / Echar por el atajo no siempre ahorra trabajo - 'Taking the shortcut doesn't always save work'

You’ve probably seen ads for special tricks and techniques that take all the work out of learning a language. But have you ever met anyone who has used them and actually learned to speak? Unlikely.

It’s true that there are lots of resources in the world that can help you with different aspects of your Spanish, but most of the time, promises like these lead to frustration, disappointment, and feeling discouraged. But, as another saying goes, la verdad, como el aceite, queda encima siempre – ‘the truth, like oil, always rises to the top’. The best way to learn is from expert teachers, and by speaking to real people. It takes a bit of time, and it takes a bit of effort.

En el Camino, cada paso es un destino - 'on the Camino de Santiago, every step is a destination'

Learning a language is a journey, but it’s not only about the destination. It’s an adventure of constant discovery, surprise, and connection, where each step brings something new and different. Appreciating the little rewards along the way – cultural curiosities, linguistic oddities, hilarious misunderstandings – is the best way to keep up our motivation as we move closer to fulfilling our long-term goals. As we also say in Spanish, poco a poco se anda lejos – ‘little by little, you go a long way’.

El que canta, sus males espanta - 'Whoever sings drives away their sorrows'

Have fun! Enjoying yourself is great for both learning the language and keeping up your motivation. So sing along to a song! (Even if you don’t understand the lyrics.) Go to a Peruvian or Mexican restaurant and try to order a delicious meal in Spanish! Watch a movie on SBS! And always remember to bring your best energy to class and throw yourself into games and activities with your teachers peers. Not all learning has to feel like work!