más te vale
/mas te bale/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you better" can be translated into Spanish as más te vale.
más te vale is used as a warning to tell someone that they should do something to avoid a negative result. In informal settings, you will often see this expression followed by a verb in the infinitive form to convey a sense of warning or urgency.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "it's worth more to you". It is composed of más (more), te (to you) and vale (it's worth).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
más te vale is an informal expression. It uses the informal tú pronoun and is used in casual or confrontational settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression 'más te vale' followed by a verb in the infinitive form is used in informal settings to convey a sense of warning or urgency.
How do you pronounce it?
/mas te bale/
Did you know?
- While más te vale is a warning, the word vale on its own is used as a ubiquitous slang term in Spain to mean 'okay' or 'I agree'.
- The verb valer in this phrase shares a root with the Latin word valē, which was a common way to say 'be well' or 'farewell'.
- While 'más te vale' sounds like a direct threat, it can be used jokingly among friends to express playful pressure, such as 'más te vale venir a mi fiesta' (you better come to my party).
Examples in context
- Tú deberías estudiar más.You should study more or You better study more
- Le sería conveniente llegar a tiempo a la reunión.It would be convenient for you to arrive on time to the meeting or You better arrive on time to the meeting
- Más te vale estudiar para el examen.You better study for the exam or You had better study for the exam
- Es mejor que vengas temprano.It's better that you come early or You better come early
- Más te vale llegar temprano.You better arrive early.
- Más te vale no decir nada.You better not say anything.
- Más te vale terminar la tarea.You better finish the homework.
Example conversation
Javier is warning Lucía about a secret she is keeping.
- Javier¿Vas a contar mi secreto?Are you going to tell my secret?
- LucíaNo, no te preocupes.No, don't worry.
- JavierMás te vale ser discreta.You better be discreet.
- LucíaLo prometo, Javier.I promise, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, te, vale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
