EnglishPortuguese is a rich language full of proverbs and expressions used daily. The Portuguese Facebook page Safe Communities Portugal told about the common expressions and proverbs in Portugal and their meaning and we found their equivalents in Hebrew.
Do you know any other expressions? Tell us about them in the Facebook group “Over the Rainbow Portugal”.
“Quem vê caras não vê corações.” Literal translation: “Who sees faces does not see hearts.” Meaning: Do not judge a book by its cover.
Other expressions that have a similar meaning are “Aparências iludem” (“Appearances deceive”) and “Nem tudo o que reluz é ouro” (“Not everything that shines is gold”). These are also used when a person is attracted to an opportunity that seems shiny and promising, but is way too blind to see the risks!
“Quem não arrisca não petisca.” Literal translation: “Those who do not risk, do not have a snack.” Meaning: If you do not take a risk, you will not get the benefits.
“Aqui se faz, aqui se paga.” Literal translation: “Here it is done, here it is paid.” Meaning: Bad actions lead to bad karma. Also common with the same meaning “Cá se fazem, cá se pagam” (“here they are done, here they are paid”)
“Cada macaco no seu galho.” Literal translation: “Each monkey to its own branch.” Meaning: A person should not interfere with other people’s work or life when they are not asked to.
“Mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois a voar,” Literal translation: “It is worth more to have one bird in hand than two flying.” Meaning: It is better to successfully retain one good thing than to lose a lot due to being greedy.
“Cão que ladra não morde.” Literal translation: “Dog that barks do not bite.” Meaning: Usually, the people who are the loudest, most obnoxious, threatening, or arrogant are the ones who do not have the guts to actually take action.
“A mentira tem pernas curtas.” Literal translation: “The lie has short legs.” Meaning: Lies do not go far—they are easily discovered and exposed.
“Para bom entendedor, meia palavra basta.” Literal translation: “To a good ‘understander,’ half a word is enough.” Meaning: Clever people do not need everything to be told directly to them—they are sensible enough to realize and understand situations.
