predicar con el ejemplo
/pɾedikaɾ kon el exemplo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "walk the walk" can be translated into Spanish as predicar con el ejemplo.
This expression is used when someone follows up on what they have promised. You may also use more formal expressions like Respaldar las palabras con hechos (to back up words with actions) or Actuar en consonancia con lo dicho (to act in accordance with what has been said). For a more informal context, you can use Pasar de la teoría a la práctica (to go from theory to practice).
Meaning: follow up on what one has promised (verb)
Did you know?
- While English uses 'walk' to describe consistency, the Spanish phrase predicar con el ejemplo relies on the religious imagery of 'preaching' to convey the same moral weight.
- The word ejemplo used to be pronounced with a 'sh' sound, like the English word 'shoe', because of the Old Spanish letter 'x'.
- Spanish speakers often use the concept of el ejemplo as a noun to describe a moral standard, making predicar con el ejemplo a way of discussing integrity rather than just consistency.
Examples in context
- Si quieres que tus empleados sean puntuales, debes predicar con el ejemplo.If you want your employees to be punctual, you must walk the walk.
- Un buen jefe debe predicar con el ejemplo.A good boss should walk the walk.
- No basta con hablar, hay que predicar con el ejemplo.It is not enough to talk, you must walk the walk.
- Ella siempre trata de predicar con el ejemplo.She always tries to walk the walk.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, ejemplo, el, predicar, predicar con el ejemplo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
