10 Spanish sayings about love

Spanish has a saying for every stage of love: falling for someone, missing them, and getting over them. These are the dichos about love and the heart that Spanish speakers really use, each with its English equivalent, a word-for-word translation and an example.

1. Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.

   Out of sight, out of mind. Literally: “Eyes that do not see, heart that does not feel”.

   What you don’t witness can’t hurt you — used about distance healing feelings, or about blissful ignorance.

   Desde que se mudó ya no piensa en su ex: ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.

2. Obras son amores y no buenas razones.

   Actions speak louder than words. Literally: “Deeds are love, and not good words”.

   Love and support are proven by what people do, not what they say.

   No me digas que me apoyas: ven a ayudarme con la mudanza. Obras son amores y no buenas razones.

3. El amor todo lo puede.

   Love conquers all. Literally: “Love everything it can”.

   Used to express that love overcomes obstacles. Common in romantic contexts or to encourage couples facing difficulties.

   El amor todo lo puede, y ellos lo demostraron superando la distancia.

4. Donde hay amor, hay dolor.

   Where there is love, there is pain. Literally: “Where there is love, there is pain”.

   Said to acknowledge that loving someone also brings suffering. Used to comfort someone going through heartbreak.

   Donde hay amor, hay dolor, pero también vale la pena.

5. El amor de lejos, amor de pendejos.

   Long-distance love rarely works. Literally: “Love from afar, love of fools”.

   Said jokingly or skeptically about long-distance relationships. Common in casual conversation among friends.

   El amor de lejos, amor de pendejos, decía mi abuela cuando mi prima se fue al extranjero.

6. Quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar.

   Those who love you will sometimes make you cry. Literally: “He who loves you well, will make you cry”.

   Used to explain that true love sometimes involves tough lessons. Said when someone disciplines or corrects a loved one.

   Quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar; por eso mis padres fueron tan estrictos conmigo.

7. Amor con amor se paga.

   Love is repaid with love. Literally: “Love with love is paid”.

   Used to say that affection should be reciprocated. Common when encouraging someone to return kindness or love.

   Amor con amor se paga, así que devuélvele el gesto a tu novia.

8. Cuando el dinero sale por la puerta, el amor salta por la ventana.

   When money leaves, love follows. Literally: “When money goes out the door, love jumps out the window”.

   Used to comment cynically that financial hardship strains or destroys relationships. Often heard in conversations about couples struggling economically.

   Cuando el dinero sale por la puerta, el amor salta por la ventana, y esa pareja lo está comprobando.

9. El amor es ciego.

   Love is blind. Literally: “Love is blind”.

   Used to explain why someone in love overlooks their partner's flaws or makes irrational romantic choices. Extremely common throughout the Spanish-speaking world in everyday conversation.

   No entiendo cómo no ve sus defectos, pero el amor es ciego.

10. Antes que te cases, mira lo que haces.

    Look before you leap. Literally: “Before you marry, look at what you're doing”.

    Used to advise someone to think carefully before making a serious commitment, especially marriage. Common in family advice and cautionary conversations.

    Conoces a esa persona hace solo un mes; antes que te cases, mira lo que haces.

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