haz tu mejor esfuerzo
/aθ tu mexoɾ esfweɾθo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "try your best" can be translated into Spanish as haz tu mejor esfuerzo.
This phrase is used to encourage someone to exert maximum effort, often when the outcome is uncertain or difficult.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase haz tu mejor esfuerzo is composed of the imperative haz (do/make), the possessive tu (your), the adjective mejor (best) and the noun esfuerzo (effort).
Which one should you use?
You may also use Esfuérzate al máximo to mean "give your maximum effort" or Da lo mejor de ti which means "Give the best of yourself". For a colloquial way to encourage someone, Dale con todo can be used to mean "give it your all".
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form haz tu mejor esfuerzo uses the informal tú imperative. To use the phrase in a formal or polite context, use the third-person singular imperative haga and the possessive su instead, as in haga su mejor esfuerzo.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθ tu mexoɾ esfweɾθo/
Did you know?
- In some Caribbean dialects, the encouraging phrase Dale con todo can be used ironically to describe someone who is overdoing a task or failing spectacularly.
- The word mejor shares its ancient roots with the English verb 'ameliorate', which means to make something better.
Examples in context
- Esfuérzate al máximo y te irá genialTry your best and you'll do great
- Realice su mejor intento para mostrar sus habilidadesMake your best attempt to showcase your skills
- Dale con todo, ¡tú puedes!Give it your all, you got this!
- Haz tu mejor esfuerzo en el examen.Try your best on the exam.
- Solo haz tu mejor esfuerzo en el partido.Just try your best in the match.
Example conversation
Mateo is nervous before a job interview.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Mateo.Don't worry, Mateo.
- MateoEstoy muy nervioso por la entrevista.I am very nervous about the interview.
- SofíaSolo haz tu mejor esfuerzo.Just try your best.
- MateoGracias, Sofía, lo intentaré.Thanks, Sofía, I will try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esfuerzo, haz, mejor, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
