El que no llora no mama
/el keh noh YOH-rah noh MAH-mah/
If you don't ask for what you want or need, you won't get it. You have to speak up to get things done.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'The one who doesn't cry, doesn't get to suckle (breastfeed).'
In practice, it means you have to speak up and be assertive to get what you need.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Si quieres un aumento, tienes que pedírselo a tu jefa. Recuerda, el que no llora no mama.
B1If you want a raise, you have to ask your boss for it. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
El aire acondicionado del hotel no funcionaba, así que fui a recepción a quejarme y me cambiaron de habitación. ¡El que no llora no mama!
B2The hotel's air conditioning wasn't working, so I went to the front desk to complain and they moved me to a new room. If you don't ask, you don't get!
📜 Origin Story
This phrase comes from the most basic, universal human experience: a baby's cry. A baby cannot speak, so its only way to communicate hunger, discomfort, or any need is by crying. A quiet baby might be overlooked, while a crying baby gets immediate attention and is fed ('mamar' means to suckle or breastfeed). The idiom extends this simple, powerful observation to adult life, reminding us that being passive or quiet often means our needs go unmet.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Call to Action
Use this proverb to encourage someone (or yourself!) to speak up and ask for something they want or need. It’s perfect for situations involving asking for a raise, complaining about bad service, or seeking help.
❌ Common Pitfalls
It's Not About Complaining
Mistake: "Thinking the idiom is an excuse to complain about everything."
Correction: While it involves 'crying' (or speaking up), the focus is on being proactive to solve a problem or meet a need, not just whining. It's about assertiveness, not just complaining.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and used across all regions and social classes.
Latin America
Very widespread and perfectly understood throughout Latin America. It's one of the most universal proverbs in the Spanish-speaking world.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: El que no llora no mama
Question 1 of 1
Your colleague is unhappy with their workload but is afraid to talk to the manager. What idiom could you use to encourage them?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to say 'El que no llora no mama'?
Not at all. It's a well-known proverb and is used as friendly advice or a general observation. It's not considered rude or aggressive, just a practical piece of wisdom.