Dicho español · Spanish proverb
«Donde manda capitán, no manda marinero.»
Word for word
Where the captain commands, the sailor does not command.
What it really means
The closest English equivalent: The captain's word is final.
Emphasizes that there can only be one person in charge; subordinates should not overstep their authority. Used in workplace, family, or hierarchical situations to assert chain of command.
Hear it in a sentence
Aquí las decisiones las tomo yo; donde manda capitán, no manda marinero.
Here I make the decisions; where the captain commands, the sailor does not.
More Spanish sayings
- Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan. — When the cat's away, the mice will play.
- El que paga, manda. — He who pays the piper calls the tune.
- Más vale un amigo que cien parientes. — A good friend is worth more than many relatives.
- Mientras hay vida, hay esperanza. — While there's life, there's hope.
- El ojo del amo engorda al caballo. — The master's eye makes the horse fat.
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.