la práctica hace al maestro
/la pɾaɡtika aθe al maestɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "practice makes perfect" is translated into Spanish as la práctica hace al maestro. Wiktionary also lists la práctica hace la perfección.
Meaning: if one practices an activity enough, one will eventually master it (proverb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| la práctica hace al maestro | /la pɾaɡtika aθe al maestɾo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /la pɾaɡtika ase al maestɾo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| la práctica hace la perfección | /la pɾaɡtika aθe la peɾfeɡθjon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /la pɾaɡtika ase la peɾfeɡsjon/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
This proverb is used to express the idea that if one practices an activity enough, one will eventually master it.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, la práctica hace al maestro translates to "practice makes the master".
Which one should you use?
While la práctica hace la perfección is a literal translation of the English phrase, la práctica hace al maestro is the idiomatic and much more natural way to express this sentiment in Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase la práctica hace al maestro, the word al is a contraction of the preposition a and the masculine article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/la pɾaɡtika aθe al maestɾo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, calling someone maestro is a common way to show respect to a skilled tradesperson, such as a mechanic or a carpenter, regardless of whether they are actual teachers.
- The phrase la práctica hace al maestro is often used not just for skills, but as an encouraging response when someone is struggling to learn a complex social custom or a new language.
- The Spanish word máster is a separate loanword borrowed directly from English, creating a distinction between academic degrees and the traditional skill of a maestro.
Examples in context
- La práctica hace al maestro.Practice makes perfect.The sentence is useful for demonstrating the proverb la práctica hace al maestro.Tatoeba #899558 by Zifre, translation #266400 by CK
- Tranquilo, ¡la práctica hace al maestro! Solo mantén la constancia y verás resultados.Don't worry, practice makes perfect! Just stay consistent, and you'll see results.
- ¡Chicos, tenemos que entrenar más si queremos ganar el torneo! Recuerden, la práctica hace al campeón.Guys, we need to train more if we want to win the tournament! Remember, practice makes champions.
- No te rindas, la práctica hace al maestro.Don't give up, practice makes perfect.
- Sigue estudiando piano, recuerda que la práctica hace al maestro.Keep studying piano, remember that practice makes perfect.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about his new guitar lessons.
- SofíaParece difícil, ¿verdad?It looks difficult, right?
- AlejandroSí, pero la práctica hace al maestro.Yes, but practice makes perfect.
- SofíaTienes mucha razón, Alejandro.You are very right, Alejandro.
- AlejandroSolo necesito practicar un poco más.I just need to practice a little more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “practice makes perfect” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hace, la, maestro, perfección, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
