A1 Proverb خنثی

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

معنی

Don't be critical of a gift you receive.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In Spain, this proverb is often used to shut down 'tiquismiquis' (nitpicky) behavior. It's considered a sign of good upbringing ('educación') to never comment on the price or quality of a gift. In Mexico, the phrase is sometimes followed by '...y a lo dado, no se le busca lado.' It emphasizes the 'don' (gift) as a sacred social bond. Given the strong 'gaucho' (cowboy) heritage in Argentina, horse-related proverbs carry significant weight. It's used frequently in rural and urban settings alike. Colombians might use this phrase with a very polite tone to soften the blow of a mediocre gift they are giving, almost as a self-deprecating joke.

💡

Shorten it!

In casual conversation, you can just say 'A caballo regalado...' and everyone will know what you mean.

⚠️

Don't use for paid services

If you paid for it, you have every right to 'look at the teeth.' Using this phrase then would be incorrect.

معنی

Don't be critical of a gift you receive.

💡

Shorten it!

In casual conversation, you can just say 'A caballo regalado...' and everyone will know what you mean.

⚠️

Don't use for paid services

If you paid for it, you have every right to 'look at the teeth.' Using this phrase then would be incorrect.

🎯

Use it for favors

It's not just for physical gifts. Use it when someone does you a favor that isn't perfect.

💬

The 'Dative of Interest'

Notice the 'le'. It's a classic Spanish way to show who is affected by the action.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the proverb with the missing words.

A caballo ________ no se le mira el ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: regalado / diente

The standard form uses 'regalado' (gifted) and 'diente' (tooth).

Which situation best fits the proverb?

Tu amigo te regala un libro usado y tú notas que tiene una mancha.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Le das las gracias y piensas: 'A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente'.

The proverb is about being grateful for gifts despite their flaws.

Complete the dialogue.

Ana: 'Este café gratis de la oficina sabe a rayos.' Pedro: 'Bueno, Ana, ya sabes que...'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

Pedro is reminding Ana not to complain about something free.

Match the proverb to its meaning.

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Don't criticize things you didn't pay for.

This is the figurative meaning of the proverb.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Gift vs. Purchase

Regalo (Gift)
Gratitud Gratitude
No críticas No criticism
Compra (Purchase)
Inspección Inspection
Exigencia Demanding

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Complete the proverb with the missing words. جای خالی A1

A caballo ________ no se le mira el ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: regalado / diente

The standard form uses 'regalado' (gifted) and 'diente' (tooth).

Which situation best fits the proverb? Choose A2

Tu amigo te regala un libro usado y tú notas que tiene una mancha.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Le das las gracias y piensas: 'A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente'.

The proverb is about being grateful for gifts despite their flaws.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Ana: 'Este café gratis de la oficina sabe a rayos.' Pedro: 'Bueno, Ana, ya sabes que...'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

Pedro is reminding Ana not to complain about something free.

Match the proverb to its meaning. situation_matching A1

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Don't criticize things you didn't pay for.

This is the figurative meaning of the proverb.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, generalmente se usa para educar o como un comentario humorístico sobre la gratitud.

Se entiende, pero el refrán original es en singular: 'el diente'.

Sí, es uno de los refranes más universales del idioma español.

'Lo barato sale caro' es un consejo de compra; 'A caballo regalado' es un consejo de etiqueta.

Es una forma impersonal para decir que 'nadie' debería mirar el diente.

Solo si tienen una relación muy cercana y él te dio un regalo informal.

Significa que algo fue dado como un 'regalo' (gift), es decir, gratis.

Sí, simplemente 'A caballo regalado...'.

Sí, tiene más de 1500 años de antigüedad.

¡Por supuesto! Es muy común usarlo cuando te invitan a comer.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

A lo dado, no se le busca lado

synonym

Don't look for flaws in what is given.

🔗

Dar gato por liebre

contrast

To deceive someone by giving them something of lower quality.

🔗

Lo barato sale caro

contrast

Cheap things end up being expensive.

🔗

Menos es nada

similar

Less is better than nothing.

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