How do you say “No pain, no gain” in Spanish?
The closest natural Spanish equivalent is Sin esfuerzo no hay recompensa, which literally means “Without effort there is no reward”. English speakers use no pain, no gain to mean you must suffer some difficulty or work very hard if you want to achieve success or make progress. Natural motivational wording that stresses effort rather than literal pain. It suits study, work and exercise. Register: neutral. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural Spanish
Sin esfuerzo no hay recompensa
/sin esˈfweɾso no aʝ rekomˈpensa/
- Literal meaning
- “Without effort there is no reward”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
90 out of 100
What a native Spanish speaker would actually say
English pairs pain with gain. The Spanish wording pairs effort with reward, making the message less harsh.
Both can encourage someone through a demanding task. The Spanish does not suggest that physical pain itself is necessary for progress.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity3 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in Spanish?
El que algo quiere, algo le cuesta
Literally: “The one who wants something, something it costs them”
An established saying about the effort or sacrifice needed to get something.
Sin sacrificio no hay recompensa
Literally: “Without sacrifice there is no reward”
Stronger wording that stresses giving something up.
Common translation traps
Sin dolor no hay ganancia
This wording is used, especially in fitness, but it stresses physical pain more than the broader idea of effort.
The notes above explain why these versions do not work in this context in Spanish.
In context
English
This course is tough, but no pain, no gain.
Spanish
Este curso es duro, pero sin esfuerzo no hay recompensa.
English
I’d rather sleep in, but no pain, no gain.
Spanish
Preferiría quedarme en la cama, pero sin esfuerzo no hay recompensa.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-09-13