errando errando se va acertando

Question

I came across to this in a textbook. I thought it meant; one can get it right by making mistakes; by mistakes truth can be reached, you can learn from your mistakes.

I searched the web and find one definition; trial and error is the only way to move on. Didnt help much.

Since estar is omitted, i cant figure out; to what "se" refers exactly. no matter how hard i try, i cant say; who/what is the subject&object; or if the structure is transitive etc. Please help:

• Somebody gets something right
• Truth gets found
• neither

thanks!

Answer 1

Welcome to the forum...great question!

The phrase "se va acertando" is using the impersonal "se" = one will reach the right answer/hit the target.

i was bout to do that amiga - ian-hill, Jul 19, 2012

Answer 2

errando (verb errar) = to be making a mistake (error)

It says (By) erroring erroring one gets closer.

Answer 3

Thanks alot for the great answers, each one have enormously have helped me understand fully what s going on with this idiom. This is why spanishdict is so indispensable, u fumble around grammer textbooks, search web for almost a week and get zilch but here u have all these amazing people taking their precious time to help u without expecting anything in return.

i wish i was able to vote each as the best answer, but will go with the first come first serviced bases, muchas gracias por la ayuda!

de nada amiga :) - ian-hill, Jul 19, 2012

Eres muy amable. - annierats, Jul 19, 2012

:))))) - LaLlluvia, Jul 20, 2012

Answer 4

By trial and error, one gets closer.

:) - ian-hill, Jul 19, 2012