What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hacer (to do/make) in the future tense, the possessive mi (my), the adjective mejor (best) and the noun esfuerzo (effort).
Which one should you use?
While haré mi mejor esfuerzo emphasizes the intensity of the effort, haré lo que pueda is a slightly more common and more modest way to say one will try within their limits, meaning "I will do what I can".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this sentiment depending on the situation. For a formal way to say "I will do everything possible", you can use Haré todo lo posible. For a more formal or emotionally resonant and idiomatic expression, use daré lo mejor de mí, which means "I will give the best of myself". In an informal setting, you can use Voy a echarle ganas to mean "I will give it my all" or "I will put in the effort".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb haré is the first-person singular future indicative of hacer, which is used here to express a promise or a firm intention.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɾe mi mexoɾ esfweɾθo/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the phrase echarle ganas literally means 'to throw desires into it' but is used to express putting in a great effort.
- The root of esfuerzo comes from the Vulgar Latin word fortia, which referred to 'heroic actions'.
- While haré mi mejor esfuerzo is understood everywhere, echarle ganas is a highly regional expression primarily used in Mexico.
Examples in context
- Durante este proyecto, voy a hacer mi mejor esfuerzo para cumplir con todas las expectativas establecidas.During this project, I will make my best effort to meet all the established expectations.
- No te preocupes, voy a echarle ganas para que podamos terminar esto a tiempo.Don't worry, I will give it my all so that we can finish this on time.
- Haré mi mejor esfuerzo para ganar el partido.I will try my best to win the match.
- Haré mi mejor esfuerzo en el examen final.I will try my best on the final exam.
- No te preocupes, haré mi mejor esfuerzo.Don't worry, I will try my best.
Example conversation
Sofía is talking to Daniel about a difficult task at work.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿puedes arreglar este problema para mañana?Daniel, can you fix this problem by tomorrow?
- DanielEs difícil, pero haré mi mejor esfuerzo, Sofía.It's difficult, but I will try my best, Sofía.
- SofíaGracias, confío mucho en tu capacidad.Thank you, I trust your ability a lot.
- DanielDe nada, te avisaré cuando termine.You're welcome, I'll let you know when I finish.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esfuerzo, mejor, mi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
