a hombros de gigantes
Lemma Details
Translation: on the shoulders of giants; standing on the shoulders of giants
Part of Speech: idiom
Etymology: This Spanish idiom is a direct translation of the Latin phrase 'nanos gigantum humeris insidentes' which was popularized by Isaac Newton in 1675 when he wrote 'If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.' The metaphor refers to discovering truth by building on previous discoveries. The concept dates back to the 12th century and is attributed to Bernard of Chartres.
Commonality: 40%
Guessability: 70%
Register: formal
Example Usage
Nuestros avances científicos son posibles porque trabajamos a hombros de gigantes.
Our scientific advances are possible because we work on the shoulders of giants.
El profesor recordó a sus estudiantes que todo conocimiento nuevo se construye a hombros de gigantes.
The professor reminded his students that all new knowledge is built on the shoulders of giants.
Su investigación, realizada a hombros de gigantes, revolucionó el campo de la medicina.
His research, conducted on the shoulders of giants, revolutionized the field of medicine.
Mnemonics
- Picture yourself literally standing on the shoulders of a giant to see further - just as you build on others' knowledge to advance your own understanding.
- Think of 'hombros' (shoulders) as the foundation that supports new ideas, with 'gigantes' representing influential thinkers of the past.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts to acknowledge the contributions of previous scholars and researchers. It's particularly prevalent in scientific papers, academic speeches, and philosophical discussions about knowledge building and intellectual progress.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'a hombros de gigantes' means building upon others' work openly and respectfully, 'a espaldas de' means 'behind someone's back' or doing something secretly without someone knowing.
Confused word:
Tomó decisiones importantes a espaldas de sus socios.
He made important decisions behind his partners' backs.
Notes: Both expressions use body parts as metaphors but convey opposite sentiments about transparency and acknowledgment.
Mnemonic: 'Hombros' (shoulders) support and elevate, while 'espaldas' (backs) suggest hiding or concealing.