vale la pena
/bale la pena/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'worth it' is translated into Spanish as vale la pena.
Vale la pena is used to express that something is worth the effort, time, money or emotional investment required. It applies to both physical tasks and abstract concepts.
Meaning: worth doing (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'it's worth the pain' or 'it's worth the trouble'.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is an impersonal expression typically used in the third person singular as vale la pena to mean 'it is worth it'. If you want to say that something is worth doing a specific action, you follow the phrase directly with an infinitive verb, such as vale la pena ir (it's worth going).
How do you pronounce it?
/bale la pena/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you say me da pena, you are not saying 'it's worth it to me', but rather 'I feel embarrassed' or 'I feel pity'.
- Outside of this phrase, the word vale is used as a common filler word in Spain to mean 'okay' or 'I agree'.
- The word pena shares a common ancestor with the English word 'penalty', both stemming from the Greek word for a punishment or retribution.
Examples in context
- No sé si vale la pena.I don't know if it's worth it.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about whether something is worth it using vale la pena.Tatoeba #8317932 by arh, translation #9564989 by DJ_Saidez
- Prometo que vale la pena.I promise it's worth it.This sentence is useful for making a promise that something is worth it using vale la pena.Tatoeba #2845868 by marcelostockle, translation #13003639 by araneo
- Realmente no vale la pena.That's not really worth it.This sentence is useful for stating that something is not really worth it using vale la pena.Tatoeba #10128905 by arh, translation #5737956 by CM
- Vale la pena visitar ese museo.It's worth visiting that museum.
- El libro vale la pena leerlo.The book is worth reading.
- Creo que valdría la pena invertir en ese proyecto.I think it would be worth investing in that project.
- La película merece la pena verla.The movie is worth watching.
- Esta banda está chida. Merece la pena escucharla.This band is cool. They're worth listening to.
- La fiesta estuvo guay, mereció la pena ir.The party was cool, it was worth going.
- El viaje valió la pena.The trip was worth it.
- El concierto vale la pena.The concert is worth it.
- Creo que el espectáculo valdrá la pena.I think the show will be worth it.
- El museo en sí merece la pena.The museum itself is worth it.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are deciding whether to hike up a mountain.
- DanielEs una caminata muy larga.It is a very long hike.
- LucíaPero la vista desde arriba vale la pena.But the view from the top is worth it.
- Daniel¿Estás segura de que vale la pena?Are you sure it's worth it?
- LucíaSí, Daniel, te lo prometo.Yes, Daniel, I promise you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, pena, vale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
