compensártelo
/kompensaɾtelo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "make it up to you" can be translated into Spanish as compensártelo.
To do something good for someone because you did something wrong or disappointing to them.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the 'it' (the thing being done to make up for the mistake) is not a specific object previously mentioned, you can use compensarte instead of compensártelo.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompensaɾtelo/
Did you know?
- If you want to say you will make it up to someone with a specific gift, you might say te lo pago con un detalle, which literally translates to 'I will pay you with a detail'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, 'making it up to someone' often involves the concept of 'quedar a mano', which literally means to 'stay even-handed' or to settle a score.
- While compensar is used for formal or financial compensation, in a romantic or social context, people often use the phrase tener una deuda contigo, which means 'to have a debt with you'.
Examples in context
- Solo quiero compensártelo.I just want to make it up to you.This sentence demonstrates how to express the desire to make up for a mistake using compensártelo.Tatoeba #2015554 by marcelostockle, translation #2015190 by CK
- Lo siento mucho por lo ocurrido, haré todo lo posible para reparar el daño que te causé.I'm very sorry for what happened, I will do everything I can to make it up to you.
- Nunca fue mi intención ofenderte, pero haré todo lo posible para reparar el agravio y recuperar tu confianza.It was never my intention to offend you, but I will do everything possible to make up for the harm caused and regain your trust.
- Déjame compensártelo con una cena.Let me make it up to you with a dinner.
- Prometo compensártelo por mi error.I promise to make it up to you for my mistake.
Example conversation
María missed Daniel's birthday party.
- MaríaSiento mucho no haber ido a tu fiesta, Daniel.I'm very sorry for not going to your party, Daniel.
- DanielNo te preocupes, María, lo entiendo.Don't worry, María, I understand.
- MaríaAun así, quiero compensártelo pronto.Even so, I want to make it up to you soon.
- DanielEstá bien, acepto un café mañana.That's fine, I'll accept a coffee tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
