con los pies en la tierra
/kon los pjes en la tjera/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "down to earth" is expressed as con los pies en la tierra.
This idiom is used to describe someone who is practical, realistic and not lost in dreams or pretension.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "with the feet on the earth".
How does it change in a sentence?
While the phrase con los pies en la tierra is used as an adjective phrase, it is very common to use the verb tener (to have) to express the quality of being down to earth.
Did you know?
- Someone who is the opposite of con los pies en la tierra is often described as estar en las nubes, which literally means 'to be in the clouds'.
- The word tierra shares its ancient roots with the English word 'dry', both descending from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to rub' or 'to parch'.
- While English speakers use 'down to earth' to mean unpretentious, con los pies en la tierra focuses specifically on practical wisdom and stability.
Examples in context
- Él es un hombre sencillo, siempre dispuesto a ayudar a los demás.He is a down-to-earth man, always willing to help others.
- María es una persona muy práctica y siempre encuentra las soluciones más simples a los problemas.María is a very down-to-earth person and always finds the simplest solutions to problems.
- Juan es muy campechano, siempre está dispuesto a pasar un buen rato con los demás.Juan is very down to earth, he is always ready to have a good time with others.
- A pesar de su éxito, ella sigue siendo sin aires de grandeza, siempre es simpática y amigable.Despite her success, she remains down to earth, always friendly and approachable.
- Ella es muy realista y siempre está con los pies en la tierra.She is very realistic and always is down to earth.
- Necesito un socio que esté con los pies en la tierra.I need a partner who is down to earth.
- A pesar de su fama, él sigue con los pies en la tierra.Despite his fame, he stays down to earth.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a mutual friend.
- DanielMe cae bien Luis porque es muy con los pies en la tierra.I like Luis because he is very down to earth.
- SofíaEs verdad, no se cree superior a nadie.That's true, he doesn't think he's superior to anyone.
- DanielExacto, siempre da consejos muy realistas.Exactly, he always gives very realistic advice.
- SofíaEs difícil encontrar gente así hoy en día.It is hard to find people like that nowadays.
