What does it mean word for word?
The phrase siempre tiene la razón literally translates to "always has the reason."
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context and the person you are addressing, different forms are used. To say "you're always right" to a friend, you would use informal versions like Siempre tienes razón or Siempre estás en lo correcto. If you want to say "you always hit the nail on the head", use Siempre das en el clavo. To say "you always get it right", use Siempre aciertas. For a more formal tone, you might use Siempre acertados or Siempre en lo cierto to mean "always right".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb in the phrase changes depending on who is being discussed. To say "you are always right" to a friend, use the informal tienes instead of the third-person tiene. The phrase changes to tienen when referring to a plural subject (they/you all).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using siempre es correcto to mean a person is right.
Did you know?
- The word razón is a doublet of the English word 'ratio'. Both descend from the Latin ratiōnem, which originally referred to an account or a calculation.
- In Spanish, saying siempre es correcto describes a person's behavior as polite or proper rather than their opinion as accurate. To say someone is factually correct, you must use tiene la razón.
Examples in context
- Mamá siempre tiene la razón.Mom is always right.This sentence uses siempre tiene la razón to describe a mother.Tatoeba #1135719 by marcelostockle, translation #1135716 by CM
- Dios siempre tiene la razón.God is always right.This sentence uses siempre tiene la razón to describe God.Tatoeba #1392385 by marcelostockle, translation #1392374 by CM
- ¿El cliente siempre tiene la razón?Is the customer always right?This sentence uses siempre tiene la razón in a question about a customer.Tatoeba #12193492 by loqu84, translation #3252081 by patgfisher
- El profesor está siempre en lo correcto.The professor is always right.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing their boss at work.
- DanielMi jefe siempre tiene la razón.My boss is always right.
- SofíaNo es verdad, él se equivoca mucho.That is not true, he is wrong a lot.
- DanielPero él siempre tiene la razón con los clientes.But he is always right with the clients.
- SofíaEso no significa que sea perfecto.That doesn't mean he is perfect.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, razón, siempre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
