Hombre prevenido vale por dos
/OHM-breh preh-beh-NEE-doh BAH-leh por dohs/
Being prepared or having foresight gives you a significant advantage, effectively doubling your strength or capabilities.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, the phrase means 'one prepared man is worth two'.
It means that being prepared helps you handle unexpected situations with ease.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Llené el tanque de gasolina antes del viaje largo. Como dicen, hombre prevenido vale por dos.
B2I filled the gas tank before the long trip. As they say, forewarned is forearmed.
¿Por qué traes un cargador extra? —¡Hombre prevenido vale por dos! Nunca se sabe cuándo lo necesitarás.
B2Why are you bringing an extra charger? —Better safe than sorry! You never know when you'll need it.
📜 Origin Story
This timeless piece of wisdom has roots that go way back, likely to ancient Rome. A similar Latin proverb, 'Praemonitus, praemunitus,' means 'Forewarned, forearmed.' The idea is simple and universal: knowing about a potential problem ahead of time is like having an extra weapon or resource to deal with it. The Spanish version paints a vivid picture: one person with foresight is as effective as two people without it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Justify Your Caution
This is the perfect phrase to use when someone questions why you're being so careful. If you pack a raincoat on a sunny day or bring extra food on a short hike, you can say 'Hombre prevenido vale por dos' to explain your sensible preparation.
It's a Fixed Proverb
Think of this phrase as a single, solid block of wisdom. You don't change the words or conjugate the verbs. You just drop the entire saying into a conversation whenever it fits.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gendered Language
Mistake: "Worrying that 'hombre' (man) excludes women."
Correction: Traditionally, this proverb is used for everyone, regardless of gender. However, it's becoming more common to hear 'Mujer prevenida vale por dos' (A forewarned woman is worth two), which is also perfectly correct. Use whichever you feel is more appropriate for the situation.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and universally understood. A cornerstone of everyday wisdom.
Latin America
Widely known and used in all Spanish-speaking countries. It's a fundamental proverb everyone learns.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Hombre prevenido vale por dos
Question 1 of 1
You decide to save your document every five minutes while writing an important essay. What proverb justifies your action?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this idiom formal or informal?
It's neutral. Because it's a piece of traditional wisdom, you can use it in almost any situation, from a casual conversation with a friend to a more formal setting when discussing planning or risk management.