Common Proverbs in Brazil
Here are some of the most popular ones we use in everyday life in my Brazilian community:
- "Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura": Soft water on hard stone eventually pierces it. Meaning: Persistence pays off. (Similar to “slow and steady wins the race”.
"Quem não tem cão caça com gato": He who doesn’t have a dog hunts with a cat. Meaning: You make do with what you have.
"De grão em grão a galinha enche o papo": Grain by grain the chicken fills her crop. Meaning: Small efforts add up to big results (like saving money little by little).
"Caiu na rede é peixe": If it fell into the net, it’s a fish. Meaning: If you got caught, you’re guilty / no escaping now.
"Mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois voando": A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
"Quem planta vento, colhe tempestade": Whoever plants wind, harvests a storm. Meaning: Bad actions bring bad consequences.
"Não se deve colocar o carro na frente dos bois": Don’t put the cart before the oxen. Meaning: Don’t do things out of order.
