Lunfardo Saying: No tengo un mango. Literal Translation: I don’t have a mango. English Equivalent: I don’t have a single dollar; I’m broke.

Spanish Saying: Tan cierto como dos y dos son cuatro. Literal Translation: As sure as two and two are four. English Equivalent: It’s a sure thing; As sure as the day is long; As sure as God made little green apples

Spanish Saying: En los nidos de antaño, no hay pájaros hogaño. Literal Translation: In last year’s nests there are no birds now. English Equivalent: Things change; “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”  

Spanish Saying: No hay más cera que la que arde. Literal Translation: There isn’t any more wax that than which is burning. English Equivalent: What you see is what you get.  

Spanish Saying: El movimiento se demuestra andando. Literal Translation: Movement is demonstrated by walking. English Equivalent: Actions speak louder than words.  

Spanish Saying: Dios que da la llaga, da la medicina. Literal Translation: God who gives the wound, gives the medicine. English Equivalent: God never shuts a door without opening a window; God always provides a solution The Human Condition by Rene Magritte

Spanish Saying: No se hizo la miel para la boca del asno. Literal Translation: Honey wasn’t made for a donkey’s mouth. English Equivalent: Don’t cast your pearls before swine; Don’t waste something good on those who can’t appreciate it.  

If you study Spanish in Peru, you might get to experience this Quechua proverb first hand: Quechua saying: Imaynatan munanki chaynallatataq munasunki. Literal Translation: Just as you love others, they will love you. English Equivalent: What goes around comes around; You reap what you sow.    

Spanish Saying: Más vale maña que fuerza. Literal Translation: Skill is better than strength. English Equivalent: Better brains than brawn.

Spanish (Lunfardo) Saying: Bajar un cambio. Literal Translation: Lower a change. English Equivalent: Calm down.