gritar a los cuatro vientos
Lemma Details
Translation: to shout from the rooftops; to broadcast widely; to tell everyone; to announce publicly
Part of Speech: idiom
Etymology: This Spanish idiom literally means 'to shout to the four winds.' It originates from the ancient concept of the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) from which winds blow. The expression conveys the idea of spreading information in all directions, making it known to everyone. The imagery of winds carrying one's voice everywhere creates a vivid metaphor for widespread dissemination of news or information.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Después de ganar la lotería, gritó a los cuatro vientos su buena fortuna.
After winning the lottery, he shouted his good fortune from the rooftops.
No le cuentes tu secreto a María porque lo gritará a los cuatro vientos.
Don't tell María your secret because she'll broadcast it widely.
Los enamorados gritan a los cuatro vientos su amor.
Lovers proclaim their love to everyone.
Mnemonics
- Think of someone standing on a hilltop, shouting in all four directions so everyone can hear.
- Imagine the four winds carrying your words to every corner of the world.
- Picture a town crier announcing news to the north, south, east, and west.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is widely used in Spanish-speaking countries when someone wants to emphasize that information has been or will be shared openly and widely. It's often used in contexts of announcements, revelations, or when someone is unable to keep a secret.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'gritar a los cuatro vientos' means to widely broadcast information, 'dar voces' simply means to shout or yell without the connotation of spreading information.
Notes: 'Gritar a los cuatro vientos' always involves sharing information with many people, while 'dar voces' is about the act of shouting itself.
Mnemonic: 'Cuatro vientos' (four winds) implies spreading in all directions; 'dar voces' is just making noise.
Explanation: Both expressions involve spreading information, but 'correr la voz' (to spread the word) implies a gradual process of information spreading from person to person, while 'gritar a los cuatro vientos' suggests a more immediate, deliberate, and widespread announcement.
Notes: 'Gritar a los cuatro vientos' is more dramatic and public than 'correr la voz'.
Mnemonic: 'Gritar' (to shout) is immediate and loud; 'correr' (to run) suggests movement over time.