Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr
/AH-gwah keh noh ahs deh beh-BEHR, DEH-hah-lah koh-RREHR/
If a matter doesn't concern you or you have no intention of pursuing it, don't get involved. It's best to let it go and not interfere.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, the phrase means 'Water that you are not to drink, let it run.'
In reality, it's advice to stay out of situations that don't concern you.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
No te metas en la discusión de tus vecinos. Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.
B2Don't get involved in your neighbors' argument. If it's not your business, just let it be.
Iba a criticar el proyecto, pero decidí no decir nada. Al fin y al cabo, agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.
C1I was going to criticize the project, but I decided not to say anything. After all, it's best not to meddle in things that aren't my responsibility.
📜 Origin Story
This is a classic Spanish proverb, or 'refrán', with roots in everyday, practical wisdom. The idea comes from a simple, respectful act: if you find a source of fresh water like a spring or river and you're not thirsty, you shouldn't disturb it or stop its flow. You should let it continue its course for others who may need it later. Over time, this very literal advice was applied metaphorically to social situations, problems, and gossip.
⭐ Usage Tips
As Friendly Advice
This is most often used to give advice to someone who is thinking about interfering in a situation that could cause them trouble. It's a gentle way of saying, 'Mind your own business for your own good.'
For Letting Things Go
You can also use it for yourself as a reminder to abandon a goal or situation that is no longer for you. If you decide not to apply for a job, you might say, 'Agua que no has de beber...' to mean you're letting that opportunity pass by.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Taking It Literally
Mistake: "Using this phrase when talking about actual water, like telling someone not to waste tap water."
Correction: This is a fixed proverb and is almost exclusively used metaphorically for situations, not literal water. For wasting water, you'd say something more direct like 'Cierra el grifo' (Turn off the tap).
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this idiom? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
Negative and Affirmative Commands with Pronouns
The core of the idiom is the affirmative command 'déjala correr,' which shows how the direct object pronoun 'la' (referring to 'agua') is attached right onto the end of the command form 'deja'.
B2 Relative Pronouns (que, quien, cuyo)
The word 'que' is used as a relative pronoun to connect the noun 'agua' with the descriptive clause 'no has de beber,' specifying exactly which water we are talking about.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and universally understood. It's a core part of the Spanish collection of proverbs ('refranero español').
Latin America
Universally known and used across all of Latin America. It's one of the most common proverbs in the entire Spanish-speaking world.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr
Question 1 of 1
If someone tells you 'Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr' regarding a piece of office gossip, what are they suggesting?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this phrase considered old-fashioned?
Not at all. While it is a traditional proverb, it's timeless and used very frequently in modern, everyday conversation by people of all ages. It's considered a piece of common wisdom rather than something outdated.