Bedeutung
To be realistic and practical, not prone to fantasy.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, the variation 'con los pies en el suelo' is very common. It is often used to praise the 'sentido común' (common sense) which is highly valued in Spanish society. In Mexico, you might hear 'ser muy aterrizado'. This comes from the verb 'aterrizar' (to land an airplane), implying the person has successfully landed from the clouds of fantasy. Argentines might use this phrase when discussing the economy. Given the history of inflation, 'tener los pies en la tierra' is seen as a necessary survival skill for managing finances. In Colombia, the phrase is often used by parents to encourage children to pursue 'carreras reales' (real careers) like medicine or law over more precarious paths.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to tell someone you respect their judgment, this is the perfect phrase.
Don't use with 'estar'
While 'está con los pies en la tierra' is understood, 'tiene los pies en la tierra' sounds much more natural.
Bedeutung
To be realistic and practical, not prone to fantasy.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to tell someone you respect their judgment, this is the perfect phrase.
Don't use with 'estar'
While 'está con los pies en la tierra' is understood, 'tiene los pies en la tierra' sounds much more natural.
The 'Poner' trick
Use 'poner' when you want to tell someone to 'get real' (action). Use 'tener' to describe who they are (state).
Teste dich selbst
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo 'tener'.
Mi abuela es muy sabia y siempre _______ los pies en la tierra.
The subject is 'mi abuela' (she), so we use the third-person singular 'tiene'.
¿Cuál es el significado de esta frase?
Juan tiene los pies en la tierra.
The idiom refers to being practical and realistic, not physical height or lack of shoes.
Empareja el modismo con su opuesto.
Tener los pies en la tierra
'Head in the clouds' is the direct opposite of 'feet on the ground'.
Elige la mejor respuesta para el diálogo.
A: '¡Voy a ser millonario mañana sin trabajar!' B: 'Oye, _______.'
We use 'pon' (put) to tell someone they *need* to become realistic.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMi abuela es muy sabia y siempre _______ los pies en la tierra.
The subject is 'mi abuela' (she), so we use the third-person singular 'tiene'.
Juan tiene los pies en la tierra.
The idiom refers to being practical and realistic, not physical height or lack of shoes.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
'Head in the clouds' is the direct opposite of 'feet on the ground'.
A: '¡Voy a ser millonario mañana sin trabajar!' B: 'Oye, _______.'
We use 'pon' (put) to tell someone they *need* to become realistic.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting or with your best friend.
Yes, especially in Spain. It means exactly the same thing.
Usually no. It's seen as a positive trait of stability and wisdom.
This is the exact equivalent: 'tener los pies en la tierra'.
No, it is only used for people or their ideas/plans.
The most common opposite is 'tener la cabeza en las nubes'.
No, unless it's the first word of a sentence.
No, the idiom always uses the plural 'pies'.
Very common across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Yes, it shows you are a practical and reliable candidate.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Tener la cabeza en las nubes
contrastTo be a dreamer or distracted.
Poner los pies en polvorosa
similarTo run away quickly.
Ser un soñador
contrastTo be a dreamer.
Pisar tierra
specialized formTo face reality suddenly.
