en BOH-kah seh-RRAH-dah noh EN-trahn MOHS-kahs
Literally, this means 'Flies don't enter a closed mouth.'
It means staying silent is often the wisest way to avoid trouble.
Estuve a punto de contarle el secreto, pero recordé que en boca cerrada no entran moscas.
B1I was about to tell him the secret, but I remembered that a closed mouth catches no flies.
Mi abuela siempre me aconsejaba: 'Si no tienes nada bueno que decir, mejor no digas nada. En boca cerrada no entran moscas.'
B2My grandmother always advised me: 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Silence is golden.'
This is an ancient proverb found in many cultures, highlighting a universal truth. Its origin in Spanish is traced back to at least the 16th century. The idea is simple and visual: an open mouth is vulnerable. Just as it can let in annoying flies, it can also let out foolish or dangerous words that you can't take back. It's a timeless piece of folk wisdom about the power and safety of silence.
This is a classic 'refrán' (proverb) often used to give advice. You can say it to a friend who is about to gossip, complain excessively, or reveal too much information. It’s a gentle way of saying, 'Maybe it's better not to say anything.'
People often say this to themselves, either out loud or in their head, as a personal reminder to stay quiet in a tricky situation, like a tense meeting or a family argument.
Mistake: “Confusing this idiom with a recommendation to always be silent or introverted.”
Correction: This is situational advice about being prudent. It's about choosing silence strategically to avoid a negative outcome, not about being a quiet person in general.
Extremely common and universally understood. A core part of the Spanish 'refranero' (collection of proverbs).
Universally known and used across all of Latin America. It's one of the most common proverbs in the entire Spanish-speaking world.
Question 1 of 1
Your friend is about to share some juicy gossip at work. What's the best advice you could give them using an idiom?
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Yes, absolutely. Because it's a well-known proverb, it transcends formal and informal registers. You could say it in a business meeting to caution against speculation or use it casually with friends. The context and your tone of voice will determine how it's received.
