Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente
/OH-hohs keh noh BEN, koh-rah-SOHN keh noh SYEN-teh/
You don't suffer or worry about things you are unaware of.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel'.
It means you can't be hurt by something if you don't know it's happening.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Mi madre prefiere no saber las notas de mis exámenes hasta el final. Dice que ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
B1My mother prefers not to know my exam grades until the end. She says that what you don't know can't hurt you.
Dejé de mirar las noticias todo el día. Un poco de 'ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente' es bueno para la salud mental.
B2I stopped watching the news all day. A little bit of 'out of sight, out of mind' is good for your mental health.
¿Vas a revisar el teléfono de tu novio? Yo no lo haría. Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
B2Are you going to check your boyfriend's phone? I wouldn't. Ignorance is bliss.
📜 Origin Story
This is a very old proverb that exists in many languages, showing it's a universal human idea. Its roots in Spanish are ancient, appearing in classic literature like 'La Celestina' from 1499. The idea is simple and timeless: our emotional state is directly linked to what we perceive. If we can't see or hear about something bad, it's as if it doesn't exist for our heart, and we are spared the pain.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Comforting Phrase or a Willful Choice
Use this proverb in two main ways: First, to comfort someone who is worrying about something they can't see or control (like a loved one traveling). Second, to explain why you are choosing to avoid information that might be painful, like not checking an ex-partner's social media.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not Always Positive Advice
Mistake: "Thinking the proverb is always good, healthy advice."
Correction: Be aware of the context. While it can mean 'ignorance is bliss,' it can also be used to justify avoiding important problems or even to excuse cheating in a relationship. It can sometimes imply turning a blind eye when you should be facing an issue.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Universally known and used. It's one of the most common proverbs in the Spanish language.
Latin America
Extremely common and understood in every Spanish-speaking country. It's a core part of the shared cultural and linguistic heritage.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente
Question 1 of 1
If someone decides not to read the news to avoid anxiety and says, 'Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente,' what do they mean?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this proverb only used for negative things?
Yes, almost always. It's about being spared from negative feelings like worry, sadness, jealousy, or stress. You wouldn't use it to talk about missing out on a happy surprise, because the core idea is the absence of suffering, not the absence of joy.