haré lo mejor que pueda
/aɾe lo mexoɾ ke pweda/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I will do my best" is expressed in Spanish as haré lo mejor que pueda.
This phrase is used to promise that one will put forth their maximum effort to achieve a goal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I will do the best that I can".
Which one should you use?
While haré lo mejor que pueda focuses on one's personal capacity, the alternative haré todo lo posible focuses on the external possibility of the task being completed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Latin America, you may hear the colloquial expressions Le voy a poner el alma, meaning "I will put my soul into it" or Voy a echarle ganas, meaning "I will give it my all".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the subjunctive mood pueda because it refers to a hypothetical or uncertain capacity in the future.
Did you know?
- The word mejor shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ameliorate', which means to make something better.
- The use of the subjunctive pueda instead of the indicative puedo signals to a Spanish speaker that the outcome is not guaranteed, which can actually make the promise sound more humble.
- The word lo in lo mejor functions as a 'neuter article' here, a grammatical tool that allows Spanish to turn adjectives into abstract concepts.
Examples in context
- No te preocupes, haré lo posible para cumplir con la fecha límite.Don't worry, I will do my best to meet the deadline.
- Puedes confiar en mí, me esforzaré al máximo para que sea perfecta.You can trust me, I will do my best to make it perfect.
- ¡No te preocupes! Voy a darle con todo para que ganemos.Don't worry! I'll do my best for us to win.
- Haré lo mejor que pueda en el examen.I will do my best on the exam.
- No te preocupes, haré lo mejor que pueda.Don't worry, I will do my best.
- Haré lo mejor que pueda para terminar el proyecto.I will do my best to finish the project.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a difficult task at work.
- DanielEste informe es muy difícil, ¿puedes ayudarme?This report is very difficult, can you help me?
- SofíaClaro, Daniel. Haré lo mejor que pueda.Sure, Daniel. I will do my best.
- DanielMuchas gracias, Sofía. Te lo agradezco mucho.Thank you very much, Sofía. I really appreciate it.
- SofíaNo hay problema, trabajemos juntos en esto.No problem, let's work on this together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, mejor, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
