This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Spanish to English
  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

Se cuidan los centavos y se pierden los pesos

English translation: penny-wise and pound-foolish

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:Se cuidan los centavos y se pierden los pesos
English translation:penny-wise and pound-foolish
Entered by: Jane Martin

14:58 Aug 22, 2014
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Spanish term or phrase: Se cuidan los centavos y se pierden los pesos
I am translating a questionnaire given to the workers in a Mexican company. This appears all on its own as an answer but I do not know what the question was so I cannot provide any context. It is a Mexican proverb but I am not sure the meaning is the same as ''Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves' Any ideas much appreciated.
Jane Martin
Local time: 13:53
penny-wise and pound-foolish
Explanation:
Best equivalent in English.
Selected response from:

Tim Friese
United States
Local time: 07:53
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +11penny-wise and pound-foolish
Tim Friese
5Penny wise and pound foolish
Henry Hinds


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +11
penny-wise and pound-foolish


Explanation:
Best equivalent in English.

Tim Friese
United States
Local time: 07:53
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Tim


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marina56: I like
1 min
agree  Hugo Rincón
1 min
agree  Henry Hinds: Well, I guess I must agree, though I'd leave out the dashes.
1 min
  -> Thanks! I checked and you can find a lot of uses both with and without hyphens FWIW
agree  Elizabeth Joy Pitt de Morales
2 mins
agree  philgoddard: They're hyphens, and I'd leave them out too. I didn't know this existed in US English!
4 mins
  -> Thanks! I've definitely both heard and read this in the US. I'd expect most Americans to be familiar with it.
agree  George Rabel: Common in the USA too, and yes, better without the hyphens.
14 mins
agree  Charles Davis: Well I think the hyphens should be there.
53 mins
agree  Robert Forstag: Yeppers.
54 mins
agree  neilmac
2 hrs
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
3 hrs
agree  Carol Gullidge: Yes and agree with Charles. Omitting the hyphens would actually change the meaning, implying that it is the pennies/pounds themselves that are wise/foolish
17 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Penny wise and pound foolish


Explanation:
That's how I've heard it.

Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 06:53
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 355
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search