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Question

Please translate - aunque se vista la mona de seda, mona se queda!

Welcome to SpanishDict. Fill out your profile about language and gender. Where did you hear this phrase? - rac1, Sep 4, 2015

Welcome to the forum , we want to help you so fill out your profile If you have a problem PM a mod Bienvenido al foro. Queremos ayudarle, entonces hay que llenar su perfil. Si hay un problema, envíe un mensaje personal (PM) - ray76, Sep 6, 2015

Answer 1

There is some meaning lost in the translation to English because of the play-on-words: Mono(a) not only means "monkey", but we also use it as an idiomatic word to describe a person who is cute / adorable in both behavior and appearance. It´s very common to say a child is "muy mono(a)".

What about context, Julian? - chileno, Sep 5, 2015

Context tells us which meaning is implied - 005faa61, Sep 5, 2015

Answer 2

Even if the monkey dresses in silk, she's still a monkey.

The equivalent English expression is, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."

Sorry, my internet is taking 20 minutes question tonight, I didn't wait to see your answer, mine is superflous. - annierats, Sep 4, 2015

wow - Joydeep_Singh, Sep 4, 2015

It's a wonderful and apropos picture. - roveg, Sep 5, 2015

Answer 3

It's not possible to make a silk purse out of pig's ear..

Answer 4

Or "clothes don’t make a man"

Answer 5

Hi Esteele

Welcome to the forum. Can you put on your profile your level of English and Spanish?

What you have written is a saying. If you put it in the translation tool you will receive the literal translation.

In English there is a similar expression with a female pig in place of the monkey.

Do you want to know the equivalent idiom or do you need it explained? Where did you see the phrase?

Thanks Mardle. :) - rac1, Sep 4, 2015

Gracias Mardle. xx - ian-hill, Sep 4, 2015