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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.

  • 142proverbs
  • 10languages
  • 2,933readings
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Refrán del día · November 3
No traves la kuedra muncho ke se aranka Don't pull the rope too hard or it will snap.
Refrán № 91 Ladino
El pan tugerto la lumbre lo enderecha

The fire straightens crooked bread.

16 Nov 2026
Refrán № 92 Ladino
En la kayida de tu enemigo no te alegres, ke te viene a la kavesa

D'ont be happy with the fall of your enemy,the same could happen to you.

15 Nov 2026
Refrán № 93 Ladino
Vende Pipinos vende halva ma no asperes nedava

Sell seeds, sell halva, but do not wait for charity.

15 Nov 2026
Refrán № 94 Ladino
Le prometyeron a Rahel, le dyeron a Lea

They promised him Rachel, they gave him Leah.

15 Nov 2026
Refrán № 95 Ladino
La mujer aze, La mujer dezaze

A woman makes, a woman destroys.

14 Nov 2026
Refrán № 96 Ladino
El lovo i la oveja viyenen en konseja

The wolf and the sheep come together in council.

14 Nov 2026
Refrán № 97 Ladino
La okazyon aze al ladron

Opportunity makes the thief.

14 1 Nov 2026
Refrán № 98 Ladino
Tanto grita el ladron ke se espanta el patron

The thief shouts so loudly that the owner gets frightened.

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 99 Ladino
Esta la tripa en la nariz

The gut is up in the nose (he is fed up, has had enough). (uncertain, idiom)

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 100 Ladino
Sin lavar la kara ya empeso kon sus hohentas

Before washing his face he starts nagging.

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 101 Ladino
El peshe fiele de la kavesa

The fish rots from the head.

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 102 Ladino
Marido en kaza dolor de keshada

A husband at home is a pain in the jaw.

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 103 Ladino
Madre miya mi kerida, para ke me parites

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

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 104 Ladino
Tornaron kon los mokos enkolgados

They came back with their snot hanging (i.e., dejected / empty-handed).

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 105 Ladino
Aze bien, no mires a ken

Do good, don't look at whom.

13 Nov 2026
Refrán № 106 Ladino
Ya Avlo ya lo espajo

Now I've spoken, now I've cleared it up. (uncertain)

12 Nov 2026
Refrán № 107 Ladino
El es pedo en chini

He is a fart in porcelain (a nobody, worthless). (uncertain, idiom)

12 Nov 2026
Refrán № 108 Ladino
El riyo pasa la arena keda

The river passes, the sand remains.

12 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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