Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| refrán | /reˈfɾan/ | masculine |
| dicho | /ˈdit͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| proverbio | /pɾoˈbeɾbjo/ | masculine |
| retraher | /retɾaeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| adagio | /aˈdaxjo/ | masculine |
These terms are used to refer to short, well-known phrases or maxims. You might use the phrase dice el dicho as an idiomatic way to say 'the saying goes' when introducing a well-known expression.
Which one should you use?
While all these words can mean 'saying', refrán specifically refers to a traditional proverb that often carries a moral lesson. In contrast, dicho is a more general term that can refer to any common idiomatic expression or popular phrase that does not necessarily have a moral component. Finally, proverbio is a more formal or literary term for a proverb compared to the everyday refrán.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of refrán is refranes, which drops the accent mark on the 'a'. For the other forms, the plurals are dichos and proverbios.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈfɾan/
Did you know?
- Some refranes are designed as 'call and response' phrases where one person starts the saying and another completes it.
- The word refrán shares the same origin as the English word 'refrain', referring to something that is repeated or echoed.
- Spanish has a specific term refranero to describe a collection of proverbs or a person who knows an immense number of them.
Examples in context
- Me gusta este refrán.I like this saying.This sentence shows how to express liking a specific refrán.Tatoeba #2969969 by hayastan, translation #1233794 by CM
- No recuerdo haberlo dicho.I don't recall saying that.Tatoeba #2444120 by Shishir, translation #2315314 by CK
- Así es como dice el dicho.That's how the saying goes.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of dicho to introduce a saying.Tatoeba #9058156 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9058159 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Esta expresión significa que debes trabajar duro para lograr tus metas.This saying means that you should work hard to achieve your goals.
- Esa es una frase popular que se utiliza cuando alguien necesita tomar una decisión importante.That's a popular saying that is used when someone needs to make an important decision.
- En nuestra cultura, tenemos muchos proverbios que nos enseñan lecciones de vida.In our culture, we have many proverbs that teach us life lessons.
- Él siempre tiene un dicho para cada situación.He always has a saying for every situation.
- Los refranes son parte importante de nuestra tradición oral.Proverbs are an important part of our oral tradition.
- En Argentina, utilizamos mucho el dicho popular 'a lo hecho, pecho'.In Argentina, we often use the popular saying 'a lo hecho, pecho'.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing old folk wisdom.
- Daniel¿Conoces algún refrán sobre la paciencia?Do you know any saying about patience?
- ElenaSí, mi abuela siempre decía uno.Yes, my grandmother always used to say one.
- Daniel¿Cuál es ese refrán tan especial?What is that very special saying?
- ElenaEs uno que enseña a esperar con calma.It is one that teaches to wait calmly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “saying” translations and entries refrán, dicho, proverbio, adagio, 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 dicho, proverbio, refrán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
