Bedeutung
A person's character is often reflected by their friends.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, this proverb is often linked to the concept of 'el qué dirán' (what people will say), emphasizing the importance of public image and social reputation. Mexicans often use the 'lobo' (wolf) variation: 'El que con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña,' which adds a layer of behavioral influence to the idea of character revelation. In Argentina, while the proverb is known, people might use 'Dios los cría y ellos se juntan' (God creates them and they find each other) to describe similar people grouping together, often with a touch of irony. Colombian culture places a high value on 'buenas maneras' (good manners). Using this proverb is a common way for elders to encourage young people to seek 'gente de bien' (respectable people).
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase at the end of a story to provide a 'moral' to what happened.
Don't be too judgmental
Remember that using this can sound very traditional or conservative. Use it sparingly with peers.
Bedeutung
A person's character is often reflected by their friends.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase at the end of a story to provide a 'moral' to what happened.
Don't be too judgmental
Remember that using this can sound very traditional or conservative. Use it sparingly with peers.
The 'Dime' shortcut
If you forget the formal version, just start with 'Dime con quién andas...'—everyone will know the rest.
Regional variations
In some Caribbean countries, people might say 'El que anda con miel, algo se le pega' (He who walks with honey gets some on him).
Teste dich selbst
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo 'revelar'.
Según mi abuela, las amistades _______ el carácter de una persona.
El sujeto 'las amistades' es plural, por lo tanto el verbo debe ser 'revelan'.
Match the situation with the most appropriate use of the proverb.
A father sees his daughter hanging out with a group of students who skip class.
The father is concerned about how his daughter's social circle reflects her values.
Completa el diálogo con la opción más natural.
Juan: 'No entiendo por qué todos piensan que soy un vago'. María: 'Bueno, siempre estás con gente que no trabaja ni estudia. Recuerda que...'
The proverb explains why others are judging Juan based on his friends.
¿Cuál es la versión informal más común de este proverbio?
Selecciona la opción correcta:
This is the most widely used idiomatic version in the Spanish-speaking world.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSegún mi abuela, las amistades _______ el carácter de una persona.
El sujeto 'las amistades' es plural, por lo tanto el verbo debe ser 'revelan'.
A father sees his daughter hanging out with a group of students who skip class.
The father is concerned about how his daughter's social circle reflects her values.
Juan: 'No entiendo por qué todos piensan que soy un vago'. María: 'Bueno, siempre estás con gente que no trabaja ni estudia. Recuerda que...'
The proverb explains why others are judging Juan based on his friends.
Selecciona la opción correcta:
This is the most widely used idiomatic version in the Spanish-speaking world.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. 'Carácter' in Spanish often refers to moral strength, integrity, or temperament, whereas 'personalidad' is a broader term for all traits.
Yes! If someone has excellent friends, you can use it to compliment them: 'Tus amigos son increíbles; las amistades revelan el carácter.'
'Revelan' implies that the character was already there but was hidden; the friends act as the evidence that brings it to light.
The formal version is common in writing and serious talk; the informal 'Dime con quién andas' is extremely common in daily life.
Usually no. We don't choose our family, so the proverb doesn't apply. It specifically refers to 'amistades' (chosen friends).
English 'Birds of a feather' focuses on people being similar. 'Las amistades revelan el carácter' focuses on the *judgment* of that person based on their friends.
You might say: 'Dime con quién te asocias y te diré quién eres.'
Yes, it has been used for centuries, but it remains relevant in modern social analysis.
Yes, always on the 'á' in the singular. In the plural 'caracteres', the tilde disappears and the stress shifts.
It's understandable, but it's not the standard proverb. Stick to 'carácter'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres
similarTell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.
Cada oveja con su pareja
similarEach sheep with its partner.
Dios los cría y ellos se juntan
similarGod makes them and they flock together.
Quien con niños se acuesta, cagado se levanta
contrastHe who lies down with children wakes up messed up.
Malas compañías
specialized formBad company.
