Significado
Every good or beautiful thing has its difficulties or drawbacks.
Contexto cultural
In Portugal, this proverb is often linked to the concept of 'Fado'. It represents a stoic acceptance of fate (fatum). The Portuguese tend to use it with a slight shrug of the shoulders, indicating that one must endure the bad to enjoy the good. Brazilians often use the variation 'Nem tudo são flores' in daily life, especially when talking about the 'Custo Brasil' (the high cost and difficulty of doing business in Brazil despite the country's beauty). In Angolan Portuguese, proverbs are highly valued in social discourse. This phrase is used to teach younger generations about the value of hard work and the reality that success isn't easy. Across the Lusophone world, the 'crown of thorns' is a powerful religious image. This proverb sometimes carries a subconscious religious undertone that suffering is a prerequisite for glory or salvation.
Use it to end a complaint
If you've been complaining to a friend for 5 minutes, saying this phrase at the end shows you aren't just a whiner, but someone who understands life's balance.
Don't use for serious grief
Never use this when someone is mourning. It sounds dismissive of their deep pain.
Significado
Every good or beautiful thing has its difficulties or drawbacks.
Use it to end a complaint
If you've been complaining to a friend for 5 minutes, saying this phrase at the end shows you aren't just a whiner, but someone who understands life's balance.
Don't use for serious grief
Never use this when someone is mourning. It sounds dismissive of their deep pain.
Brazilian 'Tem' vs 'Há'
In Brazil, feel free to say 'Não tem rosa sem espinho' in casual settings. It sounds more 'local'.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Não ___ rosas ___ espinhos.
The standard proverb uses 'há' (there is) and 'sem' (without).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Não há rosas sem espinhos'?
Situation: You won the lottery, but now all your distant relatives are asking for money.
The 'rose' is winning the lottery; the 'thorns' are the annoying relatives.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
A: 'O hotel é maravilhoso, mas a comida é péssima.' B: '__________'
This is the natural philosophical response to a bittersweet situation.
Which of these is a common synonym for 'Não há rosas sem espinhos'?
Select the synonym:
'Nem tudo são flores' also means that not everything is perfect or easy.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosNão ___ rosas ___ espinhos.
The standard proverb uses 'há' (there is) and 'sem' (without).
Situation: You won the lottery, but now all your distant relatives are asking for money.
The 'rose' is winning the lottery; the 'thorns' are the annoying relatives.
A: 'O hotel é maravilhoso, mas a comida é péssima.' B: '__________'
This is the natural philosophical response to a bittersweet situation.
Select the synonym:
'Nem tudo são flores' also means that not everything is perfect or easy.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot at all. While it is an old proverb, it is still used daily in newspapers, social media, and conversation.
Yes, if you are discussing a project that had challenges but was successful. It adds a human, philosophical touch.
'Espinho' is a thorn on a plant. 'Espinha' is a fishbone or a pimple/acne. Don't mix them up!
Usually, yes. 'Não há rosas sem espinhos' is the standard. Using singular is okay but less common.
Similar, but 'No pain, no gain' (No pain, no gain) focuses on the *effort* required for success. 'Não há rosas sem espinhos' focuses on the *inevitable downsides* of something good.
Technically you could, to mean that every bad situation has a good side, but that is not the standard proverb and might confuse people.
It is used equally in both, though the pronunciation and the preference for 'há' vs 'tem' vary.
Yes, to say that someone is great but has a difficult personality trait.
There isn't a direct 'opposite' proverb, but 'Mar de rosas' (A sea of roses) describes a situation that is perfect and has no problems.
In Portugal, yes (/iʃ.ˈpi.ɲuʃ/). In most of Brazil, it's an 's' sound (/es.ˈpi.ɲus/).
Frases relacionadas
Nem tudo são flores
synonymNot everything is flowers/perfect.
Não há bela sem senão
similarThere is no beauty without a defect.
Quem quer a rosa, aguenta o espinho
builds onHe who wants the rose must endure the thorn.
Depois da tempestade vem a bonança
contrastAfter the storm comes the calm.
