Glossary entry

Portuguese term or phrase:

Beleza não se põe na mesa.

English translation:

Beauty is only skin-deep.

Added to glossary by Oliver Simões
Jul 16, 2021 22:46
3 yrs ago
24 viewers *
Portuguese term

Beleza não se põe na mesa.

Portuguese to English Other Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Also: A beleza não se põe na mesa.

On this page there's an explanation of the meaning:
https://megaarquivo.wordpress.com/2018/10/14/13-834-dito-pop...

I found this translation: "A fine cage won't feed a hungry bird." It seems to make sense, but I couldn't find any reference other than these dictionaries:

https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPGkCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT33&lpg=P...
https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPGkCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT33&lpg=P...

What would you suggest?

Discussion

Barbara Cochran, MFA Jul 17, 2021:
Sure thing. Glad to have been at least of minor help.
Oliver Simões (asker) Jul 17, 2021:
Barbara, I agree. I’ m leaning towards David’s interpretation too. Thank you for your feedback.
Barbara Cochran, MFA Jul 17, 2021:
OK. Then, in that instance, I would say that David's interpretation is the most correct.
Oliver Simões (asker) Jul 17, 2021:
Barbara, The main idea behind the Portuguese proverb, at least the way I see it, is that beauty is less important than inner qualities such as goodness, compassion, etc. it’s not as vital as the food we eat.
Barbara Cochran, MFA Jul 16, 2021:
Something Along These Lines? "all the trappings of wealth/all the money in the world never satisfies a totally greedy soul"

Proposed translations

4 hrs
Selected

Beauty is only skin deep

I would say

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Note added at 4 hrs (2021-07-17 02:50:11 GMT)
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Looks aren't everything

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Note added at 4 hrs (2021-07-17 02:50:36 GMT)
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https://www.englishexperts.com.br/forum/como-dizer-beleza-na...

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Note added at 4 hrs (2021-07-17 02:51:14 GMT)
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good suggestions and ok for no points

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Note added at 4 hrs (2021-07-17 02:52:08 GMT)
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just research
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, David. I appreciate your help and also the suggestions from the other colleagues."
46 mins

beauty doesn't put food on the table

Low confidence because I actually like your "fine cage" example better.

There are a few references to "beauty" in this context and massive references to "[fill in the blank] doesn't put food on the table".

Wanja Makubha (@WMakubha) | Twitterhttps://twitter.com › wmakubha
The latest Tweets from Wanja Makubha (@WMakubha). **beauty doesn't put food on the table but working smart does**.

https://imgur.com › attractive › SsLPzeD
Jun 19, 2016 — Looks just don't play a role on the forefront because **in the end, beauty doesn't put food on the table**, and it doesn't teach your children ...

I watched the excitement on his... - Oriflame businesstycoon ...https://www.facebook.com › permalink
Don't slay with your beauty only, **beauty doesn't put food on the table**. His money is not your money.

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1 hr

you can't eat beauty, it doesn't feed you

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4 hrs

Looks aren't everything

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13 hrs

Beauty isn't essential

:)

Federer and Me: A Story of Obsessionhttps://books.google.com.br › books· Traduzir esta página
William Skidelsky · 2015 · ‎Sports & Recreation
It may be praiseworthy, but it isn't essential. Art is of course different. When beauty is present in, say, a Mozart string quartet, or a Titian painting, ..
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