casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau
The cobbler's children have no shoes
بهطور تحتاللفظی: In the blacksmith's house, a wooden skewer
Use this to point out when an expert fails to apply their skills to their own life.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Experts who don't use their skills for themselves.
- A blacksmith using wooden tools instead of metal.
- Highlights the irony of professional neglect at home.
معنی
This phrase describes a situation where someone is an expert in a specific field but fails to apply that same expertise in their own personal life or home.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Teasing a mechanic friend whose car won't start
Poxa, você conserta o carro de todo mundo, mas o seu não liga? Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau!
Man, you fix everyone's car, but yours won't start? The cobbler's children have no shoes!
A dentist admitting they have a cavity
Pois é, sou dentista mas estou com uma cárie. Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.
Yeah, I'm a dentist but I have a cavity. In the blacksmith's house, a wooden skewer.
In a business meeting about internal software issues
Somos uma empresa de tecnologia e nosso site está fora do ar. É o velho ditado: casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.
We are a tech company and our site is down. It's the old saying: the cobbler's children have no shoes.
زمینه فرهنگی
This expression dates back centuries to rural Portugal and Brazil, where the blacksmith was a central community figure. It captures the universal irony of the 'expert's paradox' and is one of the most frequently cited proverbs in Lusophone literature and daily life.
The Half-Phrase Rule
In Brazil, you can often just say 'Casa de ferreiro...' and trail off. People will know exactly what you mean. It makes you sound very native!
Don't be Mean
While it's a common joke, be careful not to use it if someone is genuinely stressed about their failure. It's best used when the irony is lighthearted.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Experts who don't use their skills for themselves.
- A blacksmith using wooden tools instead of metal.
- Highlights the irony of professional neglect at home.
What It Means
Imagine a master blacksmith who spends all day forging steel swords. You visit his home for a barbecue. Instead of metal skewers, he uses cheap wooden sticks. That is exactly what this phrase captures. It highlights the irony of professionals neglecting their own skills at home. It is about the gap between public expertise and private reality.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a witty observation. It usually acts as a standalone comment. If your IT friend has a broken computer, you say it. If a chef eats instant noodles, you say it. It points out a funny or frustrating contradiction. You do not need to change the words. The phrase is a fixed idiomatic block.
When To Use It
Use it when you spot a professional irony. It works great during casual chats with friends. You can use it at work to tease a colleague. It is perfect for lighthearted social media captions. Use it when you feel a bit guilty about your own habits. It softens the blow of being called out for laziness. It turns a failure into a relatable human moment.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in very tragic or serious situations. Do not say it if a doctor’s family is seriously ill. That would be quite insensitive and rude. It is meant for light irony, not for mocking misfortune. Also, avoid it in highly formal legal documents. It is a colorful proverb, not a technical term. Keep it for moments that allow for a little smirk.
Cultural Background
This proverb is deeply rooted in old Portuguese traditions. Blacksmiths were essential figures in every village for centuries. They made the best tools for everyone else. Yet, they often lacked the time to fix their own things. It reflects a culture that values hard work for others. It also shows a very Portuguese sense of self-deprecating humor. We love pointing out life's little inconsistencies.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear the standard version everywhere. Some people might just say the first half: Casa de ferreiro.... The listener will automatically finish the thought in their head. In some regions, you might hear espeto de pau replaced with other humble materials. However, the blacksmith and the wood remain the gold standard. It is one of the most recognizable phrases in the language.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is extremely versatile and fits into almost any conversation where irony is present. It is grammatically static, meaning you don't need to conjugate anything.
The Half-Phrase Rule
In Brazil, you can often just say 'Casa de ferreiro...' and trail off. People will know exactly what you mean. It makes you sound very native!
Don't be Mean
While it's a common joke, be careful not to use it if someone is genuinely stressed about their failure. It's best used when the irony is lighthearted.
The Barbecue Link
The 'espeto' (skewer) refers to the Brazilian 'churrasco'. Using a wooden skewer instead of a forged metal one is the ultimate sign of a lazy blacksmith!
مثالها
6Poxa, você conserta o carro de todo mundo, mas o seu não liga? Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau!
Man, you fix everyone's car, but yours won't start? The cobbler's children have no shoes!
A classic use of the phrase to highlight professional irony.
Pois é, sou dentista mas estou com uma cárie. Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.
Yeah, I'm a dentist but I have a cavity. In the blacksmith's house, a wooden skewer.
Self-deprecating use to acknowledge one's own oversight.
Somos uma empresa de tecnologia e nosso site está fora do ar. É o velho ditado: casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.
We are a tech company and our site is down. It's the old saying: the cobbler's children have no shoes.
Used to point out organizational irony in a professional setting.
Uma nutricionista comendo coxinha no almoço? 😂 Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau!
A nutritionist eating a fried snack for lunch? The cobbler's children have no shoes!
Playful teasing via text message.
Errei a concordância de novo. Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau, né?
I messed up the agreement again. Blacksmith's house, wooden skewer, right?
Used to excuse a minor professional slip-up.
A casa dele é super simples. Realmente, casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.
His house is super simple. Truly, the cobbler's children have no shoes.
Observing a surprising fact about a public figure.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct ending to complete the proverb.
O meu pai é marceneiro, mas a nossa mesa está quebrada. Já sabe, né? Casa de ferreiro, ___.
The full traditional proverb is 'Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau'.
Identify the best situation to use this phrase.
Qual situação combina com a expressão? ___
The phrase is used for irony, such as a health professional (doctor) having an unhealthy habit (smoking).
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Level of 'Casa de ferreiro...'
Used with family and close friends to tease.
Teasing your brother.
Common in daily conversation and social media.
Talking to a coworker.
Used in speeches or articles to illustrate irony.
A journalist's commentary.
When to use 'Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau'
Tech Support
IT guy with a broken phone.
Culinary
Chef eating frozen pizza.
Finance
Accountant in debt.
Beauty
Hairdresser with messy hair.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt means 'wooden skewer'. In the context of the proverb, it represents a low-quality tool used by someone who should have the best metal tools.
It is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries! It is a classic heritage proverb from Portugal that spread everywhere.
Yes, if the tone is slightly informal or if you have a good relationship with the person. It is neutral enough for most workplaces.
Yes, people often just say casa de ferreiro... and let the other person finish the thought.
Not usually. It is mostly seen as a witty or ironic observation, but like any joke, it depends on your tone of voice.
The most common equivalent is 'The cobbler's children have no shoes' or sometimes 'The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot'.
Absolutely! It's a great way to show humility when you make a mistake in your own field of expertise.
No, ferreiro is the 'blacksmith' (the person). The word for 'iron' is ferro.
Because a blacksmith works with iron (ferro). Having a wooden tool (pau) in his own house is the ultimate irony.
No, it is a 'ditado popular' (popular saying) or proverb. It is much older and more established than slang.
عبارات مرتبط
Faça o que eu digo, não faça o que eu faço
Santo de casa não faz milagre
Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura
Cada macaco no seu galho
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