If you’ve spent time around Spanish speakers, you’ve probably heard the phrase:
👉 “A palabras necias, oídos sordos.”
It’s a popular refrán (saying or proverb) used across the Spanish-speaking world, and it’s packed with cultural and emotional meaning.
Let’s break it down and learn how to use it!
💬 Literal Translation
“A palabras necias, oídos sordos”
= To foolish words, deaf ears
It’s a poetic way of saying:
👉 Ignore hurtful, ignorant, or senseless comments.
💡 What does “palabras necias” mean?
- Palabras = words
- Necias = foolish, ignorant, or unnecessary
“Palabras necias” refers to things people say that are rude, unkind, ignorant, or not worth your time.
🧠 Cultural Meaning
This refrán is all about protecting your peace. In other words, don’t waste your energy reacting to things that aren’t constructive or kind.
You might use it when:
- Someone makes a rude or baseless comment.
- You’re teaching someone to ignore teasing.
- You want to remind yourself or others not to be affected by negativity.
📚 Example in Conversation
A: ¿Escuchaste lo que dijo ese hombre en la reunión? ¡Qué grosero!
B: Sí, pero ya sabes… a palabras necias, oídos sordos.
Translation:
A: “Did you hear what that guy said in the meeting? So rude!”
B: “Yeah, but you know… ignore foolish comments.”
✅ When to Use This Phrase
You can use this refrán to:
- Give advice to someone who’s been insulted or unfairly criticized.
- Show emotional maturity in difficult situations.
- Encourage children or students to ignore bullies or mean comments.
It’s a simple but powerful phrase that can help reinforce emotional intelligence and resilience—in any language!
🗣️ Practice it yourself:
- Mi mamá siempre dice: “a palabras necias, oídos sordos.”
(My mom always says: “Ignore foolish comments.”) - No te molestes por lo que dijo. A palabras necias…
(Don’t get upset about what he said. Foolish words…)
(Let it go!)
Learning refranes like this one not only improves your Spanish but also helps you connect more deeply with Spanish-speaking cultures. They carry wisdom, values, and a shared way of looking at the world.
👉 Want to learn more refranes and cultural expressions? Check out our other posts or join one of our Spanish Workshops for a deeper dive into real-world Spanish!
