Speak of the devil and he appears Meaning in English

expression

US

SPEEK uhv thuh DEV-uhl and he uh-PEERZ

UK

SPEEK ov thuh DEV-uhl and he uh-PEEZ

Definition

This expression is used when you are talking about someone and they appear unexpectedly at that moment.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, often shortened to 'speak of the devil.' Used jokingly or lightly when someone you've just mentioned shows up. Can be about anyone, not just bad people. Not literally about the devil.

• Spanish: hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma - hablando del diablo, aquí está
• Portuguese (BR): falando no diabo, aparece o rabo - falando do diabo
• Portuguese (PT): fala no diabo e ele aparece - falar do diabo
• Chinese (Simplified): 说曹操，曹操到
• Chinese (Traditional): 說曹操，曹操到
• Hindi: जिसका डर था, वही आ गया
• Arabic: واذكر الشيطان فيظهر - على ذكر الشيطان
• Bengali: নামে ডাকলেই হাজির হন (লোকের কথা বললেই হাজির হন) - কথা বলতে না বলতেই উপস্থিত
• Russian: легок на помине - про волка вспоминают, а он тут
• Japanese: 噂をすれば影 - 噂をすれば本人が現れる
• Vietnamese: nói Tào Tháo, Tào Tháo đến
• Korean: 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다
• Turkish: iti anılır, iti gelir - lafının üstüne gelmek
• Urdu: جس کا ذکر، وہ حاضر - جسے یاد کیا وہ آ گیا
• Indonesian: baru saja disebut, sudah muncul - ngomong-ngomong, orangnya datang

Example Sentences

We were just talking about John, and speak of the devil and he appears, here he is!

basic

Oh look, speak of the devil and he appears! Sarah just walked in when we mentioned her.

basic

Speak of the devil and he appears, here comes our teacher right after we said his name.

basic

I was about to text Mark, and speak of the devil and he appears, he just called me.

natural

Wow, speak of the devil and he appears—Jason just walked in as we were gossiping about him.

natural

Haha, speak of the devil and he appears—you must have heard us talking about you!

natural