"El corazón es un gitano, no se fija en ningún lugar."
/el koh-rah-SOHN es oon hee-TAH-noh, noh seh FEE-hah en neen-GOON loo-GAR/
The heart is a gypsy, it doesn't settle in any one place.
💡 Understanding the Quote
"El corazón es un gitano, no se fija en ningún lugar."
🎨 Visual Representation

The quote poetically describes the heart's restless, free-spirited, and wandering nature.
🔑 Key Words
📖 Context
This phrase is a well-known Spanish proverb popularized globally by the French-Spanish group Gipsy Kings in their iconic 1987 song, 'Bamboléo'.
📝 In Action
No te enamores de él, su corazón es un gitano.
B2Don't fall in love with him, his heart is a gypsy.
Después de la ruptura, ella dijo con tristeza: 'El corazón es un gitano, no se fija en ningún lugar'.
B2After the breakup, she said sadly: 'The heart is a gypsy, it doesn't settle in any one place.'
Me encanta viajar y mudarme constantemente. Supongo que mi corazón es un gitano.
B1I love to travel and move constantly. I guess my heart is a gypsy.
✍️ About the Author
📜 Historical Context
The term 'gitano' refers to the Romani people in Spain, who have a long and complex history and were historically perceived as nomadic. The proverb draws on this cultural image to create a powerful metaphor. The Gipsy Kings, a group of musicians of Spanish Romani descent, amplified this traditional saying and made it an international phenomenon.
🌍 Cultural Significance
Thanks to the massive success of the song 'Bamboléo', this phrase is embedded in the popular culture of the entire Spanish-speaking world and beyond. It perfectly captures a feeling of romantic restlessness or an inability to commit, often used with a mix of poetic melancholy and worldly wisdom.
📚 Literary Analysis
The quote's power comes from its direct and evocative metaphor: 'corazón = gitano'. This comparison instantly conjures images of travel, freedom, a lack of roots, and a life lived outside conventional norms. It elevates the simple idea of being 'fickle in love' to a more profound, poetic statement about human nature.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Fickle Love
Use this phrase to describe someone (or yourself) who falls in and out of love easily or seems unable to commit. It has a more poetic and less judgmental tone than simply saying 'they can't settle down'.
Expressing Wanderlust
The quote can also be used more broadly to describe a restless spirit that isn't tied to any specific place, reflecting a love for travel, change, and new experiences.
🔗 Related Quotes
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: El corazón es un gitano, no se fija en ningún lugar.
Question 1 of 2
The quote 'El corazón es un gitano' uses the 'gitano' (gypsy) as a metaphor for what quality?
🏷️ Categories
Themes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this quote considered offensive?
While the quote uses a stereotype, it has become a widely accepted and poetic proverb. In its common usage, the focus is entirely on the metaphorical meaning of a 'wandering heart' and is not intended to be offensive. However, it's good to be aware of the historical context.
Can I use this quote about myself?
Yes, absolutely. It's often used in a self-reflective way to describe one's own inability to settle down, either in love or in a physical location. It can convey a sense of romantic wanderlust.
