Signification
Past events or problems cannot be changed and should be let go.
Contexte culturel
In Spain, the image of the 'molino' is iconic, especially in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, famous for the windmills in Don Quixote. While the proverb refers to watermills, the cultural weight of 'milling' as a symbol of life and struggle is very strong. Mexicans often prefer the rhyming 'Lo pasado, pisado'. It fits the rhythmic, musical nature of Mexican Spanish. It's often used in 'ranchera' music themes of heartbreak and moving on. In Argentina, the phrase is well-understood but might be seen as slightly 'old-fashioned' or formal. Younger people might use 'Ya fue' (It's already gone/over) to express the same sentiment more colloquially. Colombians use a lot of 'refranes' in daily life to maintain politeness and 'quedar bien'. Using this proverb is a gentle way to tell someone to stop complaining without being rude.
Use it for Forgiveness
If someone keeps apologizing to you, say this to show you've truly forgiven them. It's more poetic than just saying 'Está bien'.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'agua pasado'. Even though it's 'el agua', the adjective must be feminine. This is a common test question!
Signification
Past events or problems cannot be changed and should be let go.
Use it for Forgiveness
If someone keeps apologizing to you, say this to show you've truly forgiven them. It's more poetic than just saying 'Está bien'.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'agua pasado'. Even though it's 'el agua', the adjective must be feminine. This is a common test question!
The 'Ya fue' Alternative
If you are in Argentina or Uruguay, 'Ya fue' is the cool, modern way to say this. Use the proverb with older people to sound respectful.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Agua ________ no ________ molinos.
'Agua' is feminine (pasada) and singular (mueve).
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to use this phrase?
Your friend is crying because they failed a driving test three months ago and keep talking about it.
This phrase is used to tell someone to stop dwelling on a past failure.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'Todavía me siento mal por haber perdido tu libro el año pasado.' Speaker B: '_________________'
Speaker B is forgiving Speaker A for a past mistake.
Which of these is a common Latin American variation of the proverb?
Variation check:
'Lo pasado, pisado' is the most popular rhyming equivalent in LatAm.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAgua ________ no ________ molinos.
'Agua' is feminine (pasada) and singular (mueve).
Your friend is crying because they failed a driving test three months ago and keep talking about it.
This phrase is used to tell someone to stop dwelling on a past failure.
Speaker A: 'Todavía me siento mal por haber perdido tu libro el año pasado.' Speaker B: '_________________'
Speaker B is forgiving Speaker A for a past mistake.
Variation check:
'Lo pasado, pisado' is the most popular rhyming equivalent in LatAm.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth are used, but 'molinos' (plural) is the most common and standard version in modern Spanish.
Yes, it's appropriate for a professional but warm email when moving past a mistake or a lost opportunity.
Spanish uses 'el' for feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a' to avoid sound clashing, but the noun remains feminine.
Exactly the same. It's the direct cultural equivalent.
Not usually, but it can be dismissive if said to someone who is still very upset. Use it with empathy.
A mill. In this context, specifically a watermill used for grinding grain.
You can, but proverbs usually sound better without the extra 'el'.
Yes, people often just say 'Eso ya es agua pasada' (That's already water under the bridge).
Yes, it is a universal proverb across Spain and Latin America.
It is the present indicative. Proverbs almost always use the present tense to show universal truths.
Expressions liées
Lo pasado, pisado
synonymThe past is stepped on.
Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr
similarWater you shouldn't drink, let it flow.
Borrón y cuenta nueva
similarClean slate and new account.
A lo hecho, pecho
similarTo what is done, chest (face it).
