hazlo mejor
/aθlo mexoɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "do better" is translated into Spanish as hazlo mejor.
This phrase is used to tell someone to improve the quality of their work or their overall performance.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form hazlo mejor is constructed using the informal imperative.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθlo mexoɾ/
Did you know?
- The root of mejor comes from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'strong' or 'big', rather than a word meaning 'good'.
- While hazlo mejor is a command, Spanish speakers often use the phrase mejorar as a reflexive verb mejorarse specifically when talking about recovering from an illness.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone to hazlo mejor directly can be perceived as much more aggressive or blunt than the English 'do better'.
Examples in context
- El informe es malo, hazlo mejor la próxima vez.The report is bad, do better next time.
- No te conformes, hazlo mejor.Don't settle, do better.
Example conversation
Elena is giving feedback to Mateo about his recent project.
- ElenaMateo, este trabajo no es suficiente.Mateo, this work is not enough.
- MateoLo siento, Elena. ¿Qué puedo cambiar?I'm sorry, Elena. What can I change?
- ElenaSolo enfócate y hazlo mejor.Just focus and do better.
- MateoEntendido, lo haré mejor la próxima vez.Understood, I will do better next time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mejor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
