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Ladino Forever · Refranes

Ladino proverbs

The proverbs of Ladino Forever: sayings from the Sephardic kitchen table, the wisdom of our grandmothers in Judeo-Spanish, each with its meaning in English and up to six more languages.

  • 164proverbs
  • 10languages
  • 6,020readings
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Refrán del día · November 4
Ken oye a la djente se kita de la mujer Whoever listens to people ends up leaving his wife.
Refrán № 91 Ladino
Kuando el gato no esta baylan los ratones

When the cat is away, the mice dance.

32 Nov 2026
Refrán № 92 Ladino
En kazal sin perros la djente kaminan sin palos

In a village without dogs, people walk without sticks.

32 Nov 2026
Refrán № 93 Ladino
Kresen los ijos, pujan las ansias

As the children grow, the worries grow.

32 Nov 2026
Refrán № 94 Ladino
El pan tugerto la lumbre lo enderecha

The fire straightens crooked bread.

32 Nov 2026
Refrán № 95 Ladino
Komo yo eredi de mis padres i tu vas a eredar de mi

As I inherited from my parents, you will inherit from me.

32 Nov 2026
Refrán № 96 Ladino
Boka dulse avre puertas de fierro

A sweet mouth opens iron doors.

32 Nov 2026
Refrán № 97 Ladino
El lovo i la oveja viyenen en konseja

The wolf and the sheep come together in council.

31 Nov 2026
Refrán № 98 Ladino
No traves la kuedra muncho ke se aranka

Don't pull the rope too hard or it will snap.

31 Nov 2026
Refrán № 99 Ladino
La estreya ke le briya

May his star shine (a blessing / wish for good luck).

30 Nov 2026
Refrán № 100 Ladino
Bivas, engrandeskas i kreskas komo un peshiko an aguas freskas

May you live,bring up and grow like the little fish in sweet waters.

30 Nov 2026
Refrán № 101 Ladino
Mas le das kara, mas demanda

The more you give face (indulge), the more (s)he demands.

30 Nov 2026
Refrán № 102 Ladino
Madre miya mi kerida, para ke me parites

My dear mother, why did you give birth to me?

30 Nov 2026
Refrán № 103 Ladino
El riyo pasa la arena keda

The river passes, the sand remains.

30 Nov 2026
Refrán № 104 Ladino
De boka a boka se va fin a Roma

From mouth to mouth, one gets all the way to Rome (by asking, you can find your way anywhere).

30 Nov 2026
Refrán № 105 Ladino
Ijos no tengo inyetos me yoran

I have no children, yet grandchildren cry for me.

29 Nov 2026
Refrán № 106 Ladino
Sin lavar la kara ya empeso kon sus hohentas

Before washing his face he starts nagging.

29 Nov 2026
Refrán № 107 Ladino
Ni al kantador dile kanta ni al baylador dile bayla

D'ont ask a singer to sing nor a dancer to dance.

29 Nov 2026
Refrán № 108 Ladino
No lo yames yerno fista ke tenga el aniyo en el dedo

Do not call him a son in law till he has the ring on his finger.

29 Nov 2026
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Ladino proverbs, songs, stories and more

Ladino Forever is a home for the Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) language: proverbs, songs, stories and more, gathered by Michael Halphie for Sephardic families around the world.

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