How do you use "Salt of the earth" in a sentence?

They're the salt of the earth, that family. Good working people—salt of the earth. Real salt of the earth types.

Salt of the earth

Q: What does "Salt of the earth" mean?

Good, honest, ordinary working people Describes decent, unpretentious working-class people who form the backbone of society. A term of genuine respect.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Good, honest, ordinary working people

善良、诚实的普通劳动人民

Gente buena, honesta y trabajadora

善良で正直な庶民

선량하고 정직한 평범한 서민

Describes decent, unpretentious working-class people who form the backbone of society. A term of genuine respect.

形容构成社会基石的朴实、不做作的工薪阶层。这是一种发自内心的尊重之词。

Describe a personas de clase trabajadora decentes y sin pretensiones que forman la columna vertebral de la sociedad. Es un término de respeto genuino.

社会の柱となる誠実で気取らない労働者階級の人々を表す言葉。心からの敬意を込めた表現。

사회의 근간을 이루는 꾸밈없고 선량한 노동자 계층을 묘사하는 말로, 진심 어린 존경의 표현이다.

Examples

They're the salt of the earth, that family.
那一家人是真正朴实善良的人
esa familia es de lo mejorcito
あの一家は本当に立派な庶民だ
저 가족은 정말 성실한 사람들이야.
Good working people—salt of the earth.
善良的劳动人民，社会的脊梁
buena gente trabajadora, la sal de la tierra
善良な労働者たち、まさに社会の柱だ
선량한 노동자들—사회의 기둥이지.
Real salt of the earth types.
真正朴实可靠的人
gente realmente honrada y sencilla
本当に誠実で堅実な人たちだ
정말로 순박하고 성실한 사람들.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: praise, everyday

Tone: respectful, admiring

✓ Do Say

Real salt of the earth
真正朴实善良的人
gente realmente buena y honrada
本当に立派な庶民だ
정말 성실한 사람들
Salt of the earth people
朴实可靠的人们
gente sencilla y honesta
誠実で堅実な人々
세상의 소금 같은 사람들

✗ Don't Say

Can seem condescending from upper class
上层阶级使用时可能显得居高临下
Puede sonar condescendiente si lo dice alguien de clase alta
上流階級の人が使うと見下しているように聞こえることがある
상류층이 쓰면 잘난 척으로 들릴 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Using condescendingly

Origin & History

Biblical origin from Matthew 5:13 where Jesus calls his followers 'the salt of the earth.' Applied to honest, hardworking ordinary people.

Etymology: Biblical: Matthew 5:13

First recorded: Biblical, common usage centuries old

Cultural Context

Era: Biblical onwards

Generation: All generations

Social background: About working class

Pop culture: Working-class tributes

Regional notes: Universal English.

Variations

Salt of the earthThe salt of the earth