ProverbWisdom
Spanish origin
Spanish originNo empieces la casa por el tejado
Meaning: Do things in the right order; start with the foundations.
Literally: Don't start the house from the roof
Example: “Primero aprende a nadar y después compra el barco. No empieces la casa por el tejado.” — First learn to swim and then buy the boat: don't put the cart before the horse.
Equivalents in English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, and 2 more languages
English: Don't put the cart before the horse
French: Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs (literally: One must not put the plow before the oxen)
Japanese: 本末転倒 (Honmatsu tentō) (literally: Reversing root and branch)
German: Das Pferd von hinten aufzäumen (literally: To bridle the horse from behind)
Italian: Non mettere il carro davanti ai buoi (literally: Don't put the cart before the oxen)
Portuguese: Pôr o carro à frente dos bois (literally: Putting the cart in front of the oxen)
Chinese: 本末倒置 (Běn mò dào zhì) (literally: Root and tip turned upside down)
Origin: No builder starts a house with the roof.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Eres todo un personaje Said with deep affection: you're unforgettable, one of a kind, impossible to replace.
- Eres un aguafiestas You're a killjoy — you pour cold water on everyone's fun the moment you arrive.
- ¡Qué cara más dura! You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.
Keep exploring