• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Speaking Latino

Teach and Learn Real World Spanish

  • Spanish Teachers
    • Free Lesson Plans & Activities
    • Free Cultural Calendar
    • Free Song List
    • Class Guides for Teachers
    • Scaffolded Activities Set
    • Teaching Spanish
    • Professional Development
  • Spanish Slang
    • Slang Dictionaries
    • Word Comparisons
    • Slang by Country
  • Blog
  • Log In
  • Join Now

Spanish Idiomatic Expression CUANDO LAS GALLINAS MEAN in English

Spanish Idiomatic Expression CUANDO LAS GALLINAS MEAN in English

Cuando las gallinas mean is a common Spanish idiomatic expression generally said to children when they speak when they are not supposed to. The full Spanish saying goes los niños hablan cuando las gallinas mean and literally translates to “children talk when hens piss.” For anyone that doesn’t know hens doen’t pee and this phrase is a scold for children to remain with the mouth shut. The equivalent of los niños hablan cuando las gallinas mean in English is “children should be seen and not heard.”

Despite the above illustration being included in the Puerto Rican Spanish slang dictionary Speaking Boricua, this saying is also shared by other Latin American countries.

What other phrases did your parents use to tell you to shut up?

Check out these other English Spanish articles.

Related

Search Speaking Latino

Navigation

About Us

Contact Us

Blog

Log In

Join the Community

Get your Spanish classes planned for the entire year with Access hundreds of Spanish lesson plans, scaffolded cultural activities, presentations, song activities, and more!

Take a Look

Contact Jared & Diana

Click here to contact us

Search Speaking Latino

Copyright © 2023 Speaking Latino | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Loading Comments...