Learning Spanish is an adventure filled with ups, downs, and everything in between. The right words of encouragement can make a huge difference in how motivated you feel, especially on those days when Spanish past tense verbs give you a headache.
I’ve pulled together some of my favorite motivational phrases that my students turn to whenever they need a little boost or they want to remind themselves why learning a new language is such a rewarding experience.
Why Motivational Phrases Matter for Learning Spanish
Motivational phrases can do more than just make you smile; they turn an ordinary language lesson into something way more inspiring. For Spanish learners, these phrases can help you believe you’ll eventually master rolling your r’s or strike up a conversation while traveling.
Classic Spanish Motivational Phrases and Their Meanings
I want to use this article not only to give you words of motivation but also to teach you a little bit of Spanish. Spanish has its own treasure trove of phrases used for encouragement. These aren’t just translations of English sayings; they’re rooted in the culture and sound pretty awesome when spoken out loud:
- “Poco a poco se va lejos.” (Little by little, you go far). I love this because it reminds me progress is all about small steps. You don’t need to understand every word right away. Each lesson adds up.
- “El que la sigue, la consigue.” (He who perseveres, achieves). This phrase is a go-to for those frustrating days when you feel like you’re not getting anywhere.
- “Nunca es tarde para aprender.” (It’s never too late to learn). Sometimes we think language learning is only for the young. This saying reminds me, and probably a lot of other adults, that you can start right now, no matter your age.
- “A mal tiempo, buena cara.” (Put on a brave face in bad times). The ups and downs of language learning are real, but keeping your spirits up really matters.
- “Lo importante es participar.” (The important thing is to participate). Joining a conversation, even when you’re not sure you’ve got every verb right, still counts as valuable practice.
- “No tengas miedo de equivocarte.” (Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.) This is something I hear and say a lot. Fear of messing up really slows people down. Embrace the messiness!
- “Cuanto más se sabe, más se duda.” (The more you know, the more you doubt.) This helps when I realize how much more there is to learn. The ride never really ends, and that’s actually kind of cool.
- “Cuanto más se sabe, más se duda.” (The more you know, the more you doubt.) This helps when I realize how much more there is to learn. The ride never really ends, and that’s actually kind of cool.
- “Sin prisa pero sin pausa.” (No rush, but no pause either). This one’s like the cousin of “poco a poco se va lejos.” It encourages steady, consistent effort without burning yourself out. Perfect for language learning — or honestly, anything that takes time.
- “Roma no se construyó en un día.” (Rome wasn’t built in a day). My favorite and the one I repeat over and over again to my students, since almost everyone, when they start, wants instant results, but the reality is that learning Spanish, or any language, is a long-term project. So don’t expect to be fluent next week, remember to be patient and trust the process.
- “Todo esfuerzo tiene su recompensa.” (Every effort has its reward). Even when progress feels invisible, it’s happening. Every bit of work you put in now is quietly building a stronger foundation. Keep going — future you will thank you.
Motivational Phrases from Famous Spaniards and Latin American Icons
These are the sayings that come from artists, authors, and other big names—people who have made a mark in Spanish-speaking cultures.
- Pablo Neruda (Chilean Poet): “Podrán cortar todas las flores, pero no podrán detener la primavera.” (They can cut all the flowers, but they can’t stop spring.) Even if you hit setbacks, progress keeps blooming if you keep at it.
- Frida Kahlo (Mexican Artist): “Pies, ¿para qué los quiero si tengo alas para volar?” (Feet, what do I need them for when I have wings to fly?) For me, this is a reminder to reach beyond your comfort zone and try speaking, writing, and listening to Spanish however you can.
- Antonio Machado (Spanish Poet): “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.” (Traveler, there is no path — the path is made by walking). Every learner creates their own journey. There’s no perfect way — you figure it out step by step.
- Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (Mexican Writer and Philosopher): “Yo no estudio para saber más, sino para ignorar menos.” (I don’t study to know more, but to ignore less). This one really speaks to the heart of why we learn. It’s not about perfection or showing off — it’s about understanding more of the world and closing the gap between what we know and what we don’t.
- Miguel de Unamuno (Spanish Philosopher and Writer): “El progreso consiste en renovarse.” (Progress consists in renewing oneself.) Learning a language isn’t just adding new words — it’s about changing how we think, how we express ourselves, and how we see the world. Growth comes from embracing that change.
Turning Phrases into Daily Motivation: How To Use Them
Some language learners set their phone wallpapers with a motivational Spanish saying. You can try the same. The more you surround yourself with these positive reminders, the more natural it feels to keep going, even when learning gets tricky.
If you’re just starting out or have been at it for years, mixing in these phrases can make your study sessions way more positive. Here’s a quick trick: record a voice memo of yourself saying two or three of your favorite motivational Spanish quotes. Play them back at the start of each study session, and you’ll get a little surge of encouragement every time you prepare to learn.
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