Dize-me com quem andas e dir-te-ei quem és
Tell me your company, I'll tell you who you are
Meaning
A person's character is often reflected by the company they keep.
Cultural Background
In Portugal, this proverb is often linked to the concept of 'bom nome' (good name). Families are very protective of their social standing in the community. Brazilians use a more informal version, but the sentiment remains a staple of 'conselho de mãe' (motherly advice) across all social classes. In Angolan Portuguese, proverbs (missosso) are highly valued as oral wisdom. This one is used to emphasize community responsibility. Similar to other Lusophone African countries, it is used to teach children about the importance of choosing mentors and peers wisely.
Master the Mesoclisis
Using 'dir-te-ei' correctly in a C1 exam will instantly impress examiners as it shows mastery of high-level literary grammar.
Don't sound too 'preachy'
In Brazil, use the simplified 'Me diz com quem você anda' to avoid sounding like a 19th-century book.
Meaning
A person's character is often reflected by the company they keep.
Master the Mesoclisis
Using 'dir-te-ei' correctly in a C1 exam will instantly impress examiners as it shows mastery of high-level literary grammar.
Don't sound too 'preachy'
In Brazil, use the simplified 'Me diz com quem você anda' to avoid sounding like a 19th-century book.
Test Yourself
Complete the proverb with the correct formal verb forms.
____-me com quem andas e ____-te-ei quem és.
The first part is 'Dize' (imperative) and the second part is the stem 'dir' for the mesoclisis 'dir-te-ei'.
In which situation is this proverb most appropriate?
A politician is caught meeting with a known criminal.
The proverb is used to judge character based on associations, which fits the political scandal perfectly.
Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.
Mãe: 'Não quero que sejas amigo daquele rapaz, ele fuma e não estuda.' Filho: 'Mas ele é simpático!' Mãe: 'Não importa. ________.'
The mother is using the proverb to warn her son about the influence of his friend's bad habits.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises____-me com quem andas e ____-te-ei quem és.
The first part is 'Dize' (imperative) and the second part is the stem 'dir' for the mesoclisis 'dir-te-ei'.
A politician is caught meeting with a known criminal.
The proverb is used to judge character based on associations, which fits the political scandal perfectly.
Mãe: 'Não quero que sejas amigo daquele rapaz, ele fuma e não estuda.' Filho: 'Mas ele é simpático!' Mãe: 'Não importa. ________.'
The mother is using the proverb to warn her son about the influence of his friend's bad habits.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsRarely. In daily life, people say 'Diz-me' or 'Me diz'. 'Dize-me' is preserved almost exclusively in this proverb.
Only if you are being very rhetorical or giving serious moral advice. It's usually too informal/proverbial for standard business correspondence.
It means 'to hang out with' or 'to associate with', not just the physical act of walking.
This is called mesoclisis. In formal European Portuguese, you cannot start a sentence with an object pronoun, so it is placed inside the future tense verb.
Sometimes people just say the first half: 'Diz-me com quem andas...', and the listener completes the thought mentally.
It can be, as it implies a judgment. Use it carefully to avoid offending the person you are talking to.
Usually no. It specifically refers to chosen associations like friends or partners.
The most natural way is: 'Me diz com quem você anda que eu te digo quem você é.'
The idea is biblical, but the specific wording is a folk evolution popularized by literature.
Yes! If someone hangs out with geniuses, you can use it to imply they are also smart.
Related Phrases
Quem com lobos anda, a uivar aprende
similarHe who walks with wolves learns to howl.
Quem sai aos seus não regenera
similarHe who takes after his own does not change.
Antes só do que mal acompanhado
builds onBetter alone than in bad company.
