Are you curious to know some of the easiest Portuguese proverbs? Proverbs and quotations are the kinds of phrases that everyone, sooner or later, will rely on at one time or another when we don’t know how to say certain things or sound sophisticated.
There are many popular sayings, such as beautiful proverbs, quotes about friendship, sayings about life, positive thoughts, and love poems, that people in a conversation commonly use.
This article goes over the easiest Portuguese proverbs you should know and use.
Why Is it Important To Know And Use Proverbs?
Proverbs are the medium on which one relies to advance daily and mask ignorance, jealousy, or even a moment of pessimism.
In short, you learn to see the world in a new light, thanks to the proverbs about life, the best quotes about love, and the desperation of specific phrases. Each language has this repertoire. In particular, the Portuguese language contains quotes on patience, love, sorrow, misfortune, and sadness.
You can use proverbs with your Portuguese friends in the following instances:
- During the discussion of a thesis or during a speech at a conference
- To belittle a tragedy or anyway a sad event
- To quote typical phrases of a language
- To make a good impression and use love verses written by others
- To seek support or consolation, relying on the dictates of third parties
- To make a great impression as a group
- To look like a local, even if you are a foreigner in Portugal
But why mention phrases and aphorisms in Portuguese?
Because Portuguese people are extraordinary navigators, poets, thinkers, and novelists, they have originated some summaries of knowledge over the centuries, synthesized in phrases, and then made famous in aphorisms.
In short, just like in other languages, even in Portuguese, it can be helpful or enjoyable to throw in brilliant quotes!
In addition, it is an opportunity to discover the implications of the language and deepen their knowledge beyond the simple rules of grammar and syntax!
Most Easiest Portuguese Proverbs
Discovering new proverbs allows you to quickly and in a fun way access the Portuguese language, even if you do not yet know it well. In short, a sort of accelerated Portuguese learning.
Some of the best portuguese proverbs are the following:
- O que os olhos não vêem, o coração não sente – What the eyes don’t see, the heart doesn’t feel
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]O que os olhos não vêem, o coração não sente[/Speechword] - Quem tem boca vai a Roma – Who has a mouth, goes to Rome (literal translation), but it means “if you have a mouth, you can get to Rome”
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Quem tem boca vai a Roma[/Speechword] - Quem conta um conto, aumenta um ponto – Who tells a tale, adds a tail
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Quem conta um conto, aumenta um ponto [/Speechword] - O pior cego é aquele que não quer ver – The worst blind is the one who doesn’t want to see
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]O pior cego é aquele que não quer ver[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Femal[/Speechword] - É melhor estar seguro (é melhor prevenir) do que pesaroso – It is better to be safe than sorry
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]É melhor estar seguro do que pesaroso[/Speechword] - Enquanto há vida, há esperança – While there is life, there is hope
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Enquanto há vida, há esperança[/Speechword] - Amigos amigos, negócios à parte – Friends friends, business aside
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Amigos amigos, negócios à parte[/Speechword] - O barato sai caro – Cheap is expensive (literal translation)
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]O barato sai caro[/Speechword] - A união faz a força – Unity is strength
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]A união faz a força[/Speechword] - Cão que ladra não morde – Dog that barks, does not bite (or barking dogs seldom bite)
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]word[/Speechword] - Paredes têm ouvidos – Walls have ears
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Paredes têm ouvidos[/Speechword]
Some of the above proverbs are easy to understand and figure out what they mean. Some are more difficult.
Here are the meanings of some of the above proverbs:
- O Que Os Olhos Não Vêem, o Coração Não Sente – What The Eyes Don’t See, The Heart Doesn’t Feel
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]O Que Os Olhos Não Vêem, o Coração Não Sente[/Speechword]
This proverb means that it is easier not to feel the emotions related to the situation if you do not see something. For example, you will not be in a bad mood if you don’t see a painful situation.
- Quem Tem Boca Vai a Roma – Who Has a Mouth, Goes To Rome
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Quem Tem Boca Vai a Roma [/Speechword]
This proverb means that if you have a mouth, you can ask for directions and discover the right way to go to Rome ( or any other place)!
- Quem Conta Um Conto, Aumenta Um Ponto – Who Tells a Tale, Increases One Point
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Quem Conta Um Conto, Aumenta Um Ponto[/Speechword]
This proverb means that when someone is reporting what has happened to other people can change the story by adding events or things instead of saying exactly what has happened.
- O Prior Cego é Aquele Que Não Quer Ver – The Worst Blind Is The One Who Doesn’t Want To See
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]O Prior Cego é Aquele Que Não Quer Ver[/Speechword]
This proverb is pretty common in many other languages; it means that if someone doesn’t want to see or understand something, they will not do it despite clear evidence in the physical universe.
- É Melhor Estar seguro (é Melhor Prevenir) Do Que Pesaroso – It Is Better To Be Safe Than Sorry
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]É Melhor Estar seguro (é Melhor Prevenir) Do Que Pesaroso[/Speechword]
This proverb advice people to take action to resolve a specific situation instead of waiting and being sorry later for not having done anything about it.
- Enquanto Há Vida, Há Esperança – While There Is life, There Is Hope
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Enquanto Há Vida, Há Esperança[/Speechword]
The meaning of this proverb is pretty straightforward; it means that until you are alive, you can always set things straight.
- Amigos Amigos, Negócios à Parte – Friends Friends, Business Aside
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Amigos Amigos, Negócios à Parte[/Speechword]
This Portuguese proverb means that you should not mix pleasure with business. If you have friends, it is better to keep the relationship on a friendly level without getting involved with the business.
- O Barato Sai Caro – Cheap Is Expensive
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]O Barato Sai Caro[/Speechword]
This proverb means that sometimes getting cheap things can be economical, but it turns out that you will spend more over a more extended period. For example, cheap things get broken easily and must be replaced.
- A União Faz a Força – Unity Is Strength
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]A União Faz a Força[/Speechword]
This is another pretty know proverb used in many other languages. It means that together is better and there are more possibilities to win when joining forces with others.
- Cão Que Ladra Não Morde – Dog That Barks, Does Not Bite (Or Barking Dogs Seldom Bite)
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Cão Que Ladra Não Morde[/Speechword]
As this proverb implies, it means that loud people, or those that pretend to be strong, are not the ones to be worried about, but rather those who are quiet can represent a bigger problem.
- Paredes Têm Ouvidos – Walls Have Ears
[Speechword voice=”Portuguese Female” isinline]Paredes Têm Ouvidos[/Speechword]
You can use this proverb to tell others to be careful about what they say since others can listen or eavesdrop.
Would you like to know more about Portuguese proverbs and language?
Learn Portuguese Using Ling App
If you want to know more about Portuguese sayings and the language in general, you can use the Ling App!
With the Ling application, you can learn much more about Portuguese proverbs, grammar, verbs, and vocabulary in general. In addition, you can use this tool to learn other languages, and you can choose between more than 60 options.
If you wish to know more about the Portuguese language and culture, you can read these valuable articles: Top 10 Delicious Portuguese Food To Try Out Today and Numbers In Portuguese.
Are you ready to try it out? Download the app for free on the Play Store and the Apple Store today!
