What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means 'that you improve yourself soon'. The verb mejorarse is a reflexive verb meaning to recover or get better.
Which one should you use?
que te mejores pronto is the informal version used with friends, family or peers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use que se mejore pronto, ¡Que se recupere pronto! or the even more polite Le deseo una pronta recuperación.
Is it said differently in some regions?
¡Que te repongas pronto! is a phrase meaning 'Get better soon' that is commonly used in Spain and some Latin American countries. In Mexico and some parts of Central America and the Caribbean, you may hear ¡Que te alivies pronto!, which means 'Get relief soon'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the subjunctive mood because it expresses a wish rather than a statement of fact.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke te mexoɾes pɾonto/
When do people say it?
A common response to this well-wish is gracias (thanks).
Did you know?
- In very traditional settings, a person might respond to these wishes with si Dios quiere (if God wills it) to acknowledge that recovery is not entirely in human hands.
- When wishing someone a recovery, Spanish speakers may use the verb reponerse, which implies 'replacing' or 'restoring' the strength that was lost to the illness.
- Using que at the start of this phrase is a linguistic shortcut for (espero) que, meaning 'I hope that'.
Examples in context
- Siento que estés enfermo, que te mejores pronto.I am sorry you are sick, get better soon.
- Espero que te mejores pronto de la gripe.I hope you get better soon from the flu.
- Descansa mucho y que te mejores pronto.Rest a lot and get better soon.
Example conversation
Mateo is visiting Maria while she is sick in bed.
- MateoHola María, traje algunas flores para ti.Hi María, I brought some flowers for you.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, Mateo. Eres muy amable.Thank you so much, Mateo. You are very kind.
- MateoNo hay de qué, que te mejores pronto.You're welcome, get better soon.
- MaríaGracias, espero sentirme bien mañana.Thanks, I hope to feel well tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
