Poco se aprende por cabeza ajena

10:16 Aug 24, 2017
Spanish to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / Expressions / idioms
Spanish term or phrase: Poco se aprende por cabeza ajena
Helping a friend translate a wedding speech and this has come up. It seems like a version of the more poplular saying "Nadie aprende en cabeza ajena" and I'm looking for ideas for an equivalent expression in English rather than a literal translation. I imagine it would be something along the lines of "you can only learn from your own mistakes" or somthing like that. Any other ideas would be great please!
Thanks! :)
Matt Horsman
Spain
Local time: 06:21


Summary of answers provided
4 +1You have to learn the hard way
Rebecca Hendry
4One must think for oneself / One cannot think with another's mind / You must do your own thinking
BNN Medical Tr.
4you have to get there yourself
David Hollywood
4As Albert Einstein once said...
Laura Diez
3one only learns through one's own mistkes
Barbara Cochran, MFA


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


30 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
You have to learn the hard way


Explanation:
Without the context of the anectode being told by the speaker, it's hard to know, but here is a possibility.

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Note added at 31 mins (2017-08-24 10:48:20 GMT)
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oops sorry anecdote!

Rebecca Hendry
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:21
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 80

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Helena Chavarria: I think your suggestion is the most appropriate.
7 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
One must think for oneself / One cannot think with another's mind / You must do your own thinking


Explanation:
My takes on it.

BNN Medical Tr.
Brazil
Local time: 02:21
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
one only learns through one's own mistkes


Explanation:
Reference: Larousse Unabridged Spanish/English Dictionary

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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-08-24 13:52:14 GMT)
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"mistakes"

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 01:21
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52
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8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
you have to get there yourself


Explanation:
I would say

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Note added at 8 hrs (2017-08-24 18:38:52 GMT)
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in the context of a wedding speech there's a lot of banter (especially if it's the best man) , they prod you and make it fun, I remember my own wedding in whidh my best man (best friend) made a cracker of a faux pas in Spanish when he said "I have known David for "25 anos" instead of "años" and the Spanish speakers cracked up

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Note added at 8 hrs (2017-08-24 18:43:14 GMT)
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you have to get there on your own steam

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Note added at 8 hrs (2017-08-24 18:46:36 GMT)
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"under your own steam"

David Hollywood
Local time: 02:21
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 190
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2 days 13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
As Albert Einstein once said...


Explanation:
"Experience is knowledge. All the rest is information."

It reminds me of this quote I'm very fond of ;)


    Reference: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/1389903
    https://www.quotemaster.org/q20f5db32e2f4e0989bdf7ffc1a702e75
Laura Diez
Spain
Local time: 06:21
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in SpanishSpanish
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