By having fulfilled a need, a person enters a period of happiness.
Barco que no anda no llega a puerto
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. You will never achieve your objective if you don’t take steps towards it.
Barco grande, ande o no ande
Means that someone is attracted by the size or quantity of something and ignores the quality or ability to function.
Ayúdate que Dios te ayudará
God helps those who help themselves. A person that works to overcome his own problems will be helped along by God. This implies that a person that sits around and waits for solutions to be handed to them by others, will not be in God’s good graces.
Aterriza que no hay tocón
This is a goofy phrase used when someone stumbles, but there was nothing in their way or on the ground to cause their stumble. They just stumbled for no reason.
Arroz, que carne hay
Comment made when you see a hot chick, in reference to her body.
Aquí paz y en el cielo gloria
Wipe the slate clean, To put an end to an argument or feud and to begin a new stage in the relationship, to start anew.
Aprende a nadar y guardar la ropa
Always be sure to keep something to yourself. It is better to be reserved in one’s personal affairs.
Aparecer hasta en la sopa
To be everywhere, all over the place
Antes de que te cases mira lo que haces
Make sure you are aware of what you’re doing before making an important decision like getting married.
Amor de lejos, amor de pendejos
Long distance relationships are a bad idea. You shouldn’t trust your partner from afar.
Amor con amor se paga
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You can achieve more by being nice to people than being rude.
Amigo mío que nos perdemos, tú para más y yo para menos
Let’s break things off, since in everything but name, our relationship is already over (generally refers to partners or friends).
Amigo es un peso en el bolsillo
Friends can sometimes bring problems
Amigo en la adversidad es un amigo de verdad
A friend in need is a friend indeed. A real friend is one that stands by you, even in bad times.
Amigo de cien uno y de mil ninguno
Really close, trustworthy friends are extremely hard to come by.
Allá Marta con sus pollos
I couldn’t care less. Who cares what she is doing?
Allá ellos que son blancos y se entienden
A sarcastic phrase saying “I don’t belong, but I don’t care” often used by people who are poor and are looking at rich people.
Alábate pollo que mañana te guisan
To get what’s coming to you. This phrase is often used for a self-centered or stuck-up person. The meaning is that the person will get what he deserves.
Al que no le gusta el caldo, le dan tres tazas
If you do not like something you can be sure you will get a lot of it.
Al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda
The early bird catches the worm. Advice that he who arises early will be rewarded.
Al que le caiga el sello que se lo ponga
If the shoe fits, wear it. Used when someone wants to identify a negative action without identifying the person committing it. For example, mentioning that whoever stole the chocolate bar from your desk should return it.
Al que Dios se lo da que San Pedro se lo bendiga
Used by a less fortunate person (in looks or money) about someone that is better off, and means that the more fortunate person is lucky and should enjoy what they have.
Al que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra lo cobija
Working with good or positive people can rub off
Al perro flaco, todas las pulgas le caen
When it rains, it pours. The same people always have all the problems in life, someone with one problem often has lots of other problems piled on.
Al pan, pan y al vino, vino
Cut to the chase, Get to the point, Call a spade a spade. Tells someone to speak directly without engaging in flowery conversation.
Al mejor cazador se le va la liebre
Everyone makes mistakes, It happens to the best of them. Even the best people in their field make mistakes sometimes.
Al mal paso, darle prisa
When facing a difficult situation, try all the alternatives or solutions as quickly as possible.
Ahorcarse con su propia soga
You’ve made your bed, now lie in it. To suffer the consequences of a problem that was created by oneself.
Ahogarse en un vaso de agua
To make a mountain out of a molehill. To worry about simple things.