뜻
People tend to exploit someone who is in a vulnerable position.
문화적 배경
In Spain, this proverb is often associated with 'la envidia nacional' (national envy). It reflects a historical tendency to be suspicious of success and quick to celebrate the downfall of the powerful. In Mexico, while the proverb is used, people might also use 'A árbol caído, todos con el hacha' to emphasize the aggressive nature of the opportunism. Argentines use this phrase frequently in the context of football and politics, often with a cynical tone about the loyalty of 'amigos del campeón' (friends of the champion) who disappear or turn when things go wrong. In Colombia, the phrase is common in business contexts to describe 'tiburones' (sharks) who wait for a company to struggle before trying to buy it out.
Use it for empathy
You can use this phrase to show you are a fair person. If everyone is attacking someone, saying 'No hagamos leña del árbol caído' makes you look noble.
Don't be too literal
If you use this while actually camping and picking up wood, people will think you are making a very cheesy 'dad joke'.
뜻
People tend to exploit someone who is in a vulnerable position.
Use it for empathy
You can use this phrase to show you are a fair person. If everyone is attacking someone, saying 'No hagamos leña del árbol caído' makes you look noble.
Don't be too literal
If you use this while actually camping and picking up wood, people will think you are making a very cheesy 'dad joke'.
The 'Hacer leña' shortcut
In modern slang, you can just say 'Le hicieron leña' to mean 'They destroyed him/it' (in a debate, a game, or a review).
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct word to complete the proverb.
Del árbol _______ todos hacen leña.
The proverb specifically uses 'caído' (fallen) to indicate that the tree fell on its own or by misfortune, making it available for firewood.
Match the situation to the meaning of the proverb.
A famous actor is caught in a lie, and now everyone on Twitter is posting his old embarrassing videos.
The 'dogpiling' and exploitation of his disgrace is exactly what 'hacer leña' describes.
Fill in the missing contraction.
____ árbol caído todos hacen leña.
'De + el' must contract to 'Del' in Spanish.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: ¿Has visto cómo critican a la jefa ahora que la han despedido? B: Sí, es increíble. __________________________.
The context of criticizing someone after they lose their job is the perfect use case for this proverb.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Del árbol _______ todos hacen leña.
The proverb specifically uses 'caído' (fallen) to indicate that the tree fell on its own or by misfortune, making it available for firewood.
A famous actor is caught in a lie, and now everyone on Twitter is posting his old embarrassing videos.
The 'dogpiling' and exploitation of his disgrace is exactly what 'hacer leña' describes.
____ árbol caído todos hacen leña.
'De + el' must contract to 'Del' in Spanish.
A: ¿Has visto cómo critican a la jefa ahora que la han despedido? B: Sí, es increíble. __________________________.
The context of criticizing someone after they lose their job is the perfect use case for this proverb.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it's not offensive, but it is cynical. It describes a negative behavior in others. Using it to describe your own actions would make you sound like a villain!
Generally no. It's for people, institutions, or reputations. You wouldn't use it for a broken phone, but you could use it for a bankrupt company.
'Leña' is wood meant to be burned. 'Madera' is wood for building. The proverb uses 'leña' because the person's reputation is being 'burned' or destroyed.
Yes, it is universally understood from Spain to Argentina.
Only if you are talking about your ethics, e.g., 'I don't like to make firewood from the fallen tree; I prefer to help colleagues improve.'
It is a past participle acting as an adjective modifying 'árbol'.
In the proverb, yes. The metaphor requires the tree to represent a person who was once 'tall' (powerful/respected).
Not really. Spanish proverbs tend to be quite realistic or cynical about human nature.
You say: 'No hagas leña del árbol caído.'
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper article.
관련 표현
A perro flaco, todo son pulgas
similarWhen things go wrong, they tend to get even worse.
Hacer leña
specialized formTo destroy or criticize harshly.
Echar leña al fuego
similarTo make a bad situation worse.
Hacer el agosto
contrastTo make a lot of money quickly (usually in a good season).
