Phrase · 📜 Proverbs and sayings
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
C1accepting a gift graciouslylearned as a wholeAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Aprepositionto, atcaballonounhorsemasc. · sing.regalado1verbgiven as a giftregalar · participle · masc. · sing.noadverbnot, nosepronounhimself, herself, itself, themselves; (impersonal)3rdle2object pronounto him, to her, to youél · 3rd sing. · indirect objectmiraverblooks atmirar · present · 3rd sing.eldeterminerthemasc. · sing. · definitedientenountoothmasc. · sing..
- regalado → caballo: m. sg.
- le → caballo: refers to
Word for word: “You don't check the teeth of a horse you were given.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Meaning: don't find fault with a gift or a favour. Said to someone who complains about something free.
- 2le repeats a caballo regalado; with impersonal se, Spanish uses se le. Impersonal and passive se; reciprocal se →
Variations
- A caballo regalado no se le mira el colmillo.