Example: Comprar comida barata es ser pan para hoy y hambre para mañana.
Definition
"Ser pan para hoy y hambre para mañana" is a Spanish expression meaning to choose a temporary or immediate solution that ultimately leads to future problems or difficulties. It highlights the idea of short-term gain causing long-term harm, often used to describe poor decisions or quick fixes.
Translations
to be a short-term solution
uitstel van executie zijn
pa per avui i fam per demà
solution à court terme
kurzfristige Lösung
Etymology
The phrase "ser pan para hoy y hambre para mañana" literally translates to "to be bread for today and hunger for tomorrow." It originates from an old saying emphasizing the contrast between immediate satisfaction (bread today) and future scarcity (hunger tomorrow). This proverb warns against decisions that provide short-lived benefits but cause future hardship, reflecting a timeless wisdom about planning and consequences.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Ser pan para hoy y hambre para mañana" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C2) - parte 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to be a short-term solution