De tal palo tal astilla (¿Qué significa?)

Question

Conoces expresiones similares a "De tal palo tal astilla"? Yo he escuchado: "Like father, like son" ¿y tú?

Share with the group other expressions you know in both languages. Add an image to illustrate.

Great idea! Thanks, Franco! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 2, 2012

Answer 1

• ¡De tal palo, tal astilla!
• Literal translation = From such a stick comes such a splinter! It doesn't translate literally to English, but several people here have gave you several great examples of similar sayings in English. Here is another one!

The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!

How interesting, in my language we have exactly the same expession! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

Oh really? Great to know! I love learning new things! Thanks Silvia! - farallon7, Apr 3, 2012

Thanks to you, I've learned so many things from you! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

Well, I am very glad and very flattered! - farallon7, Apr 3, 2012

Answer 2

Another interpretation - "A chip off the old block"' or "the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree". Not literal translations, but similar meanings.

good one, Noetol - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 2, 2012

Hey, thanks for sharing that Noetol. - francobollo, Apr 2, 2012

"La manzana no cae lejos del árbol" - -cae-, Apr 3, 2012

... así decimos en español a veces. - -cae-, Apr 3, 2012

Me gusta esa expresión, caefuego. Gracias! - francobollo, Apr 3, 2012

Perfect Noe! - farallon7, Apr 3, 2012

Answer 3

He was caught with his fingers in the cookie jar.

Significa "una persona que está haciendo algo malo."

Exacto. We say: "Lo pillaron con las manos en la masa". - francobollo, Apr 3, 2012

Thanks Franco! - Noetol, Apr 3, 2012

lol - -cae-, Apr 3, 2012

Answer 4

It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

No es tan importante quién comienza el juego, pero quién lo termina.

Answer 5

You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else, you may be the world. Usted sólo puede ser alguien en el mundo, pero a alguien más, usted puede ser el mundo.

Nice one! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

Gracias Silvia - pmikan-pam, Apr 3, 2012

No hay de que!:) - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

Answer 6

hijo de tigre sale pintado, it means exactly the same as "de tal palo tal astilla"

Thanks, I hadn't heard that one! - Noetol, Apr 3, 2012

Answer 7

Un clavo saca a otro clavo.

A new worry helps to take your mind off the old one.

Un clavo saca otro clavo is "Revenge" ; ] - farallon7, Apr 3, 2012

Hi, Farallon! I have learned so much from you already! Please, tell am I wrong? I saw it here: http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/clavo. Or there is just another meaning? - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

"revenge" sounds to me much better:) - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

Yes Silvia, "Revenge" is the exact meaning of that saying and actually, it "Hits the nail on the head!" ; ] - farallon7, Apr 3, 2012

Thank you so much, Farallon! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

Totally my pleasure! - farallon7, Apr 3, 2012

Answer 8

A pig bought on credit is forever grunting. Un cerdo comprado a crédito siempre está gruñendo.

Answer 9

Lo breve, si bueno dos veces bueno.

What's good, when brave is twice as good.

I learnt it here, thank to Cordobesa! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 2, 2012

Hey Silvia, I've never heard that before. Is it brief (breve) or brave (valiente)? In any case, I love the expression! Thanks for sharing! - francobollo, Apr 2, 2012

¡Hola, Franco! I'm glad you like it! Yes, "brave", my mistake!:) - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012

"Lo breve" (brief) ;) - Cordobesa, Apr 3, 2012

oh, silly me! Thank you so so much, dear Cordy! - Silvia_Tcherneva, Apr 3, 2012