A caballo regalado no le mires el diente
/ah kah-BAH-yoh reh-gah-LAH-doh noh leh MEE-rehs el DYEN-teh/
Don't be ungrateful or find fault with something you have received as a gift or a favor.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'Don't look at the tooth of a horse you've been given as a gift'.
In practice, it means you shouldn't criticize a gift or a favor.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
La camiseta que me dio mi tía no es de mi estilo, pero bueno, a caballo regalado no le mires el diente.
B2The t-shirt my aunt gave me isn't my style, but oh well, you don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
El hotel gratuito que nos ofrecieron no era de cinco estrellas, pero a caballo regalado no le mires el diente.
B2The free hotel they offered us wasn't five-star, but beggars can't be choosers.
Mi amigo me prestó su viejo coche para el fin de semana. No tiene aire acondicionado, ¡pero a caballo regalado no le mires el diente!
B2My friend lent me his old car for the weekend. It doesn't have AC, but you can't look a gift horse in the mouth!
📜 Origin Story
This saying comes from the very practical, old-world custom of horse trading. A horse's age and health can be determined by examining its teeth. A savvy buyer would always inspect a horse's mouth before purchasing. However, to do so for a horse received as a gift would be incredibly rude—it's like trying to calculate the monetary value of a present right in front of the person who gave it to you. The proverb reminds us that the value of a gift is in the gesture, not its price tag.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Any Gift or Favor
Use this proverb whenever you receive something for free, whether it's a physical gift, a free meal, or a favor from a friend. It's the perfect way to express gratitude and show that you aren't going to be picky about it, even if it's not perfect.
A Gentle Reminder
You can also use this to gently remind someone else to be grateful. If your friend is complaining about the free concert tickets you got them because the view isn't great, you could say, '¡Oye, a caballo regalado...!' (Hey, a gift horse...!) and they'll understand.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for Things You Paid For
Mistake: "Using this expression to talk about a defective product or poor service that you purchased."
Correction: This proverb is strictly for things you get for free. If you paid for something, you have every right to 'look at its teeth' and complain if it's not up to standard. Save this phrase for gifts and favors only.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and universally understood as a classic proverb.
Latin America
Extremely common and universally understood across all countries. It's a core part of the Spanish language.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: A caballo regalado no le mires el diente
Question 1 of 1
Your friend gives you a free ticket to a concert, but the seats are far from the stage. What's the most appropriate thought to express gratitude despite the imperfection?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this idiom for something that isn't a physical gift?
Yes, absolutely! It can be used for any kind of favor, opportunity, or freebie. For example, if a friend offers you a ride in their old, noisy car, or you get a free but simple meal at a restaurant, this idiom fits perfectly.