Dicho español · Spanish proverb
«Dios aprieta, pero no ahoga.»
Word for word
God squeezes, but does not drown.
What it really means
The closest English equivalent: God tests us but never gives us more than we can bear.
Offers comfort during difficult times, meaning that hardships will not be so severe as to be unbearable. Common in religious and everyday consolation contexts in Spanish-speaking countries.
Hear it in a sentence
Sé que es difícil, pero Dios aprieta, pero no ahoga; saldremos adelante.
I know it's hard, but God squeezes but doesn't drown; we'll get through it.
More Spanish sayings
- No hay mal que dure cien años. — Troubles don't last forever.
- Al freír será el reír. — We'll laugh when we see the results.
- El hombre propone y Dios dispone. — Man proposes, God disposes.
- Nadie da duros a cuatro pesetas. — Nobody gives something for nothing.
- A grandes males, grandes remedios. — Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Why learn dichos?
Proverbs like this one are everywhere in spoken Spanish — dropped mid-conversation, usually just the first half, with the rest left for you to complete. Recognizing them is one of the fastest ways to sound less like a textbook and follow real speech. Every Lingocito edition signs off with the dicho del día, so you meet one a day next to news written at your level.