Portuguese Proverbs - Grete Bruzaite

A proverb, (from the Latin proverbium), is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.

Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. These are three Portuguese’s proverbs which equivalents I found:

1. "Uma desgraça nunca vem só."

English translation: A misfortune never comes alone

Lithuanian translation: Nelaimės po vieną nevaikšto

This is usually said when some bad things happened in short period of time.

2. "Não ponhas a carroça à frente dos bois."

English translation: Don't put the cart before the horse

Lithuanian translation: Nestatyti arklio pirma vežimo.

Don't put the cart before the horse" (proverb) says be sure to do things in the proper order, ie. the first thing first, the second thing second, etc. Example: "Hey! First we attatch it, then we put on the chains. Don't put the cart before the horse."

3. "Mais vale tarde do que nunca."

English translation: Better late than never

Lithuanian translation: Geriau vėliau negu niekada.

Better late than never means that it is better to do something late than to never do it at all. Also it is often used as a polite way to respond when a person says "sorry" for being late or that even if you are going to be late, you should still go ahead and do the thing, because it is better to do it late than to never do it at all.