llover sobre mojado
/ʝobeɾ sobɾe moxado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "preaching to the choir" can be expressed in Spanish as llover sobre mojado.
This idiom is used when an action or argument is redundant because the situation is already established or the person is already convinced.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase llover sobre mojado literally translates to "to rain on the wet".
How does it change in a sentence?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase is often used with the definite article as llover sobre lo mojado.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, llover sobre mojado can carry a negative connotation of adding more trouble to an already bad situation, similar to 'adding insult to injury'.
- Spanish speakers may use predicar al convertido as a more literal alternative to 'preaching to the choir', but llover sobre mojado remains the more common idiomatic choice.
- The word llover shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pluvial', which relates to rainfall. Both come from the same Latin root, *plovere.
Examples in context
- No hace falta que me lo digas, es llover sobre mojado.You don't need to tell me, it's like preaching to the choir.
- Seguir con ese argumento es llover sobre mojado.Continuing with that argument is just preaching to the choir.
- Ya estamos de acuerdo, así que es llover sobre mojado.We already agree, so you are just preaching to the choir.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing a political decision they both support.
- DanielDebes convencer a la gente de que esta ley es buena.You should convince people that this law is good.
- LucíaCon todos los que apoyan la idea, es llover sobre mojado.With everyone who supports the idea, it is preaching to the choir.
- DanielTienes razón, Lucía, ya tenemos a la mayoría de nuestro lado.You are right, Lucía, we already have the majority on our side.
- LucíaExacto, Daniel, no perdamos el tiempo intentando convencer a los convencidos.Exactly, Daniel, let's not waste time trying to convince those who are already convinced.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llover, mojado, sobre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
