Refranes con animales y plantas: úsalo como un nativo (B1)
Dannis
In Spain, nature‑based sayings are used every day to give quick pieces of advice. Today: "pedir peras al olmo", "dar calabazas", "por la boca muere el pez" and "más vale pájaro en mano".
"Pedir peras al olmo" = to expect the impossible. E.g.: "Quieres subida de sueldo y menos horas: estás pidiendo peras al olmo." In English we’d say something like "you’re expecting the impossible".
"Dar calabazas" = to reject someone (romantically) or to fail a student. E.g.: "Me declaré y me dio calabazas." In English: "to turn someone down; to flunk/fail someone (in an exam)."
"Por la boca muere el pez" = talking too much brings problems. Advice: be careful with office gossip. In English: "your tongue can get you into trouble" / "your big mouth will be your downfall."
"Más vale pájaro en mano (…que ciento volando)" = it’s better to hold on to something certain than to chase many uncertain things. In English: "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
Useful phrases: • "No pidas peras al olmo." • "Me dio calabazas." • "Calla, que por la boca muere el pez." • "Me quedo con lo seguro: más vale pájaro en mano."
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