March, little March, one bad day and one good
The word "refrán" comes from the Old French "refrain," which in turn has roots in the Latin "refringere," meaning "to break" or "to repeat." This refers to the repetitive structure of proverbs and their use in oral tradition. Since ancient times, proverbs have been a way of transmitting popular wisdom from generation to generation.
Proverbs hold a fundamental place in Spanish culture and literature. They have been used in literary works by great writers such as Miguel de Cervantes, who, in "Don Quixote de la Mancha," makes extensive use of proverbs through the character of Sancho Panza, who constantly employs them to express ideas and experiences concisely and effectively. Moreover, proverbs reflect a people's idiosyncrasy, their morals, sense of humor, and values.
Today, proverbs remain highly useful and are commonly used in the daily lives of native Spanish speakers. Expressions such as "Better late than never," "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," or "The early bird catches the worm" are examples of popular proverbs that are still part of everyday speech. Their presence in everyday language demonstrates how oral tradition remains alive and relevant, adapting to modern times without losing its essence. In our classroom Spanish classes for foreigners, the teachers teach students the most well-known and commonly used sayings.
Ultimately, proverbs constitute a valuable cultural legacy that has endured through the centuries, transmitting knowledge, advice, and teachings in a simple, clear, and memorable way.
Below is a list of the most popular proverbs for the month of March.
Marzo marzuelo, un día malo y otro bueno
March, little March, one bad day and another good one
Marzo ventoso y abril lluvioso hacen a mayo florido y hermoso
Windy March and rainy April make May bloom beautifully
Cuando marzo mayea, mayo marcea
When March feels like May, May will feel like March
Marzo engañador, un día malo y otro peor
Deceitful March, one bad day and an even worse one
De marzo a la mitad, la golondrina viene y el tordo se va
By mid-March, the swallow arrives, and the thrush departs
Marzo treinta y un días tiene y trescientos pareceres
March has thirty-one days and three hundred opinions
En marzo, la veleta ni dos horas se está quieta
In March, the weather vane doesn’t stay still for even two hours
Marzo marzán, por la mañana cara de ángel y por la tarde cara de can
March is tricky: in the morning, an angel’s face; in the afternoon, a demon’s
Marzo marceador, de noche llueve y de día hace sol
Unpredictable March: it rains at night and shines during the day
En marzo los almendros en flor y los mozos en amor
In March, almond trees bloom, and young men fall in love
Marzo, marzadas: aire, frío y granizada
March, wild weather: wind, cold, and hail
Marzo marcea y el gato rabea. No hay marzo bueno
March does its thing, and the cat wags its tail. There's no such thing as a good March
Marzo parejazo
March is unpredictable
