Portuguese is a Latin language very close to Spanish and for this reason its culture is also similar to Latin cultures such as Spanish, French or Italian, although of course with its own peculiarities. Portugal is a beautiful country, where you will know the kindness of the people and you will be able to eat exquisitely.
If you plan to visit this beautiful country, you can start to get to know it with its beautiful translated Portuguese proverbs and sayings,sayings that have been passed down from generation to generation and that best reflect the Portuguese culture and way of seeing life. Do you want to know more? Keep reading.
Portuguese proverbs with great meaning that you cannot stop reading
Friends friends, business apart
Translation: Friends, business aside.
If you want to keep your, better not do business with them, since money matters can always complicate friendships.
Cheia belly, content heart
Translation: Full belly, happy heart.
This Portuguese proverb is the same as the Spanish one. And it is that like the, the Portuguese are very good eaters. That’s why when you’re satiated you can always see things positively.
One smell is not fish, another is not cat
Translation: One eye on the fish, another on the cat.
As we can well imagine with this popular saying, it is always good to be prepared for the inevitable, for the fish to escape us or for the cat to throw its paws on the fish and take it from us.
For good understanding, half a word is enough
Translation: To a good listener, few words are enough.
As in the Spanish saying, what this means is that whoever wants to understand will do so, without the need for so many explanations. That is, the will to learn is everything.
Deus tem mays to give what or Diablo to throw away
Translation: God has more to give than the devil to take away.
Traditionally, Portuguese culture is a religious culture, but regardless of your spiritual beliefs, the truth is that this saying is a proverb of in the face of difficult life situations.
Ao inimigo that forge, put on silver
Translation: A fleeing enemy, silver bridge.
If someone toxic in your life wants to leave your side, let them go, even make it easy for them to do so, because it is the best thing you can do for yourself.
True mouth, with imitations
Translation: Mouth of truths, a hundred enemies.
Sincerity is a virtue, but being too sincere with aspects that are not relevant and that can hurt people can get you away from them.
We see faces, we don’t see hearts
Translation: Faces we see, hearts we do not know.
We cannot know what those around us are really feeling, so it is always important to keep in mind that “appearances can be deceiving.”
Or sure More de Velho
Translation: Saguaro died of old age / Saguaro died of old age.
Este curious is used in Portugal to draw attention to the importance of caution. That is, it is used when you want to tell someone that the decision they are going to make is too risky and that if they are more cautious they may have a better chance of success.
I don’t want to be a wolf, I haven’t seen the skin
Translation: Whoever doesn’t want to be a wolf doesn’t use their skin.
If you don’t want to be a certain person, don’t impersonate them. That is, do not pretend to be a good person if you are behaving badly, does not put on the skin of a fake if you want to be an honest person.
Sleepy shrimp, is lifted by the current
Translation: Shrimp that falls asleep is carried away by the current.
If you “stay on your laurels” you will never get what you want. To achieve your goals and dreams, you will have to work and make an effort.
Quem grabs a lot, with little face
Translation: Who grabs a lot, is left with little.
It is the Portuguese equivalent of the famous Spanish proverb “the one that covers a lot, does not squeeze”, that is, if you want to take care of too many things, you may end up not taking care of anything. Therefore, it is best to go little by little, taking good steps.
If your woman wants to pull you from a roof, try to keep it low
Translation: If your wife wants to throw you off a roof, try to make it a low one.
This Portuguese proverb, with a certain touch of humor, comes to say that when it is time to assume the consequences, try to get out as well as possible.
O preguiçoso tribal Dorado
Translation: The lazy person works double.
If you have to do something, do it right, because if you decide to be lazy and not do it or do it halfway, in the end you will have to work twice as hard to make up for what you didn’t do. What do you think of this Portuguese proverb? How many times have you had to work double because you got carried away by laziness?
In blind land, I have a king’s eye
Translation: In the land of the blind, he who has an eye is king.
Cunning will be your best ally in most situations. Your common sense can help you come out very well on more than one occasion.
Do not pour over spilled milk
Translation: There is no use crying over spilled milk.
Indeed, as this Portuguese proverb says, lamenting about what has already happened or was done does not make much sense. The best thing is to find a solution and do what you can to get ahead.
Past waters, no moons move
Translation: Past waters do not move mills.
When you want to move forward and live, it is best to forget about the past and not let it run your life. Leave the past behind so that the present takes on the importance that it really has to have in your happiness.
I’m like the puppy of the garden, who doesn’t eat the plantation, doesn’t let me eat or love
Translation: To be like the dog in the orchard, which does not eat the crops nor does it allow the master to eat.
This proverb is the Portuguese version of the famous Spanish saying: “the dog in the manger, who neither eats nor let’s eats”. It is used to designate a person who does not enjoy his life, but also does not allow others to enjoy it.
One day is the hunt, the other huntsman
Translation: One day is for hunting, another for the hunter.
This wise Portuguese proverb indicates that life has many ups and downs and that is why you have to keep your mind positive. One day things can go well and another bad, and vice versa, so you have to know how to accept the victories and defeats of life.
Arrested eats cru
Translation: Those who are in a hurry eat raw.
Este curious clearly explains that in life it is better to do things slowly but well. Rushing leads to mistakes that can ultimately lead to disastrous consequences, in the same way that if you rush when cooking food, it can end up raw.
Maul writer, guilt to grief / O coo, guilt or passion
Translation: The bad notary blames the pen / the lame one blames the paving.
Two versions of the same proverb with the same meaning. Some people prefer to blame others instead of looking at their own flaws and the mistakes they make.
