The Experiment is a collection of short series that are a little different to our usual programmes – but still help you improve your English.
Our first series, We say – You say, shows how YOUR language can help you remember English expressions.
We Say – You Say
We say…
In English we say a leopard can’t change its spots or a leopard doesn’t change its spots to mean someone won’t change. He or she will always be the same person and their bad habits are here to stay.
Examples:
I told Karen she had to study more if she wants to pass her exams but a leopard can’t change its spots – she won’t do it.
Freddie promised he wouldn’t get into trouble at school but I don’t believe him – a leopard can’t change its spots.
Sian
A leopard can’t change its spots means someone won’t change. They’ll always be the same person they’ve always been and they’ll always have the same bad habits.
Examples:
I told Karen she had to study more if she wants to pass her exams but a leopard can’t change its spots – she won’t do it.
Freddie promised he wouldn’t get into trouble at school but I don’t believe him – a leopard can’t change its spots.
How do YOU say it?
Jiaying
You say ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’ – in Chinese we say 江山易改，本性难移 which means, dynasties may come and go but a person’s nature doesn’t change.
Keehwan
So, a leopard can’t change its spots, well in Korean we have a similar phrase, we say -세살 버릇 여든까지 간다 and it basically means the habits of a three year old lasts until the age of 80 – and this basically means ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’.
William
‘A leopard doesn’t change its spots’ – well in Spanish we have a similar saying – Genio y figura hasta la sepultura – You carry your temper and personality to the grave.
Sian
So, those are a few examples of ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’ in other languages, what do you say?
You say…
In Chinese – 江山易改，本性难移 (Dynasties may come and go but a person’s nature doesn’t change)
In Korean – -세살 버릇 여든까지 간다 (The habits of a three year old lasts until the age of 80)
In Spanish – Genio y figura hasta la sepultura (You carry your temper and personality to the grave)