Las apariencias engañan
/lahs ah-pah-RYEN-syahs en-GAH-nyan/
Things are not always what they seem on the surface; you can't judge something or someone based only on their outward appearance.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this phrase means that appearances (like this perfect-looking apple) can deceive you.
This shows the real meaning: a person's appearance doesn't always match their true nature.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Ese restaurante parece muy lujoso, pero la comida es terrible. ¡Las apariencias engañan!
B1That restaurant looks very fancy, but the food is terrible. Appearances can be deceiving!
Parecía muy tímido, pero en la fiesta fue el más divertido. De verdad, las apariencias engañan.
B1He seemed very shy, but at the party he was the most fun. Truly, you can't judge a book by its cover.
📜 Origin Story
This is a timeless proverb with roots in ancient wisdom, found in many languages and cultures. The Latin writer Phaedrus, who wrote fables, expressed a similar idea. It's a universal piece of advice that warns us to look beyond the surface, a theme common in fables and folk tales across the world where a humble-looking creature often turns out to be wise or powerful.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use It as a Complete Thought
Unlike some idioms that fit into a larger sentence, 'Las apariencias engañan' often stands alone as a complete sentence. It's a perfect way to comment on a situation where reality turned out to be different than expected.
For More Than Just People
While it's great for describing people, don't forget you can use it for anything: a fancy-looking dish that tastes bad, a simple-looking house that's beautiful inside, or a job that sounds easy but is actually very difficult.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Trying to Change the Wording
Mistake: "Learners sometimes try to conjugate the verb or change the words, like 'La apariencia engaña'."
Correction: While grammatically correct, the phrase is almost always used in its fixed, plural form: 'Las apariencias engañan'. Think of it as a set chunk of language that doesn't change.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Universal and extremely common. Every native speaker knows and uses this proverb.
Latin America
Universal and extremely common throughout all of Latin America. It's a fundamental piece of cultural wisdom.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Las apariencias engañan
Question 1 of 1
You meet a very serious-looking person who turns out to be a hilarious comedian. Which phrase best describes this situation?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'Las apariencias engañan' considered formal or informal?
It's a neutral proverb that fits in almost any context. You can use it in a casual conversation with friends or in a more formal setting to make a point. It's a piece of wisdom that transcends social registers.