valer

intj.

that's enough.

m.

worth, value.

v.

1 to cost (costar) (price).

¿cuánto vale? how much does it cost?, how much is it?

este cuadro vale mucho dinero this painting is worth a lot of money

2 to earn.

su generosidad le valió el afecto de todos her generosity earned her everyone's affection

esta victoria puede valerles el campeonato this win may be enough for them to take the championship

aquello nos valió muchos disgustos that cost us a lot of trouble

Su obra le valió un gran premio Her work earned her a great reward.

3 to deserve.

esta noticia bien vale una celebración this news deserves a celebration

4 to be good (tener valor, merecer aprecio) (persona, obra).

la obra vale poco/no vale (nada) the play isn't up to much/is no good at all

hacer valer algo to assert something (derechos, autoridad)

hacerse valer to show one's worth

5 to be valid (ser válido) (documento, norma).

6 to be worth, to cost.

7 to be of value, to be valuable.

* * *

VALER

CONJUGACIÓN

Present Indicative

valgo, vales, vale, valemos, valéis, valen.

Future Indicative

valdré, valdrás, valdrá, valdremos, valdréis, valdrán.

Conditional

valdría, valdrías, valdría, valdríamos, valdríais, valdrían.

Present Subjunctive

valga, valgas, valga, valgamos, valgáis, valgan.

Imperative

vale (tú), valga (él/Vd.), valgamos (nos.), valed (vos.), valgan (ellos/Vds.).

* * *

verb

1) to cost

2) be worth

3) be valid

•

- valerse de

* * *

Para la frase valer la pena, ver la otra entrada.

1. VERBO TRANSITIVO

1) (=costar) to cost

solo el vuelo ya vale 8.000 euros — the flight alone costs 8,000 euros

este libro vale cinco dólares — this book costs five dollars

¿cuánto vale?, ¿qué vale? — how much is it?, how much does it cost?

esas valen (a) dos euros el kilo — those are two euros a kilo

2) (=tener un valor de) to be worth

el terreno vale más que la casa — the land is worth more than the house

- no vale un higo o un pimiento

- vale lo que pesa en oro

3) (=ser causa de) [+ premio] to win; [+ críticas, amenazas] to earn

la final histórica que le valió a Brasil la copa del mundo — the famous final in which Brazil won the world cup

son las cualidades que le valieron el premio — these are the qualities which won him the prize

esa tontería le valió un rapapolvo — that piece of stupidity got o earned him a telling-off

su ausencia le valió la pérdida del contrato — his absence lost o cost him the contract

4) (Mat) (=equivaler a) to equal

en ese caso X vale 9 — in that case X equals 9

el ángulo B vale 38 grados — angle B is 38 degrees

5) (=proteger)

¡válgame (Dios)! — oh, my God!, God help me!

2. VERBO INTRANSITIVO

1) (=costar)

este coche vale muy caro — this car is very expensive o costs a lot of money

¿vale mucho? — is it very expensive?

2) (=tener valía)

vale mucho como intérprete — he's an excellent o first-rate interpreter

Juan vale más que su hermano — Juan is a better person than his brother

su última película no vale gran cosa — his latest film is not up to much o is not much good

este coche no vale nada — this car is useless

•hacer valer, hizo valer su derecho al veto — he exercised his veto

hizo valer sus derechos — he asserted his rights

hizo valer sus argumentos en la reunión — she got her arguments across during the meeting

•hacerse valer — to assert o.s.

• valer por — (=equivaler a) to be worth

cada cupón vale por un paquete de azúcar — each coupon is worth o can be exchanged for one bag of sugar

cuatro fichas azules valen por una negra — four blue counters equal o are worth one black one

3) (=servir)

a) [herramienta, objeto] to be useful

todavía puede valer — it might still be useful

este mismo valdrá — this one will do

• eso no vale — that's no good o use

hay que tirar todo lo que no vale — we must throw out everything that is no use

ya no me vale — it's no good o use to me now

este destornillador no me vale porque es pequeño — this screwdriver is no good to me, it's too small

• valer para algo, es viejo, pero vale para la lluvia — it's old, but it'll do for when it rains

este trozo no me vale para hacer la cortina — this piece won't do to make the curtain

este cuchillo no vale para nada — this knife is useless

b) [ropa]

este sombrero me vale aún — I can still wear o use this hat

me vale la ropa de mi hermana — my sister's clothes do for *o fit me as well

a mi hijo no le vale la ropa del año pasado — the clothes my son wore last year are too small for him now

c) [situación]

no le vale ser hijo del ministro — being the minister's son is no use to him

su situación privilegiada no le valió — his privileged position was no help o use to him

no le valdrán excusas — excuses won't help him o do him any good

d) [persona]

yo no valdría para enfermera — I'd be no good as a nurse

el chico no vale para el trabajo — the boy is no good o not right for the job

• no vales para nada — you're hopeless o useless, you're a dead loss *

4) (=ser válido) [documento] to be valid; [moneda, billete] to be legal tender

este tipo de pasaporte no vale desde hace un mes — they stopped using this type of passport a month ago

estos billetes ya no valen — these banknotes are no longer legal tender

es una teoría que no vale ya — it is a theory which no longer holds

• valga la expresión — for want of a better way of putting it

está un poco chiflado, valga la expresión — he's a bit cracked, for want of a better way of putting it

¡no hay ... que valga! —

-¡pero querido! -¡no hay querido que valga! — "but darling!" - "don't darling me!" *

pero I, 2., 2), redundancia

5)

•más vale, más vale así — it's better this way

más vale no hacerlo — it would be better not to do it

más vale mantener esto en secreto — it would be best to keep this quiet

-mañana te devuelvo el dinero -más te vale — "I'll give you the money back tomorrow" - "you'd better!"

más vale que me vaya — I'd o I had better go

más vale que te lleves el abrigo — you'd o you had better take your coat

más vale que vayas tú — it would be better if you went

- más vale tarde que nunca

6) ( Esp) (=ser suficiente) to be enough

dos terrones valen para endulzarlo — two lumps are enough to sweeten it

vale ya, que habéis estado gritando toda la tarde — that's enough! you've been shouting all afternoon

¡vale, vale!, no me eches más azúcar — OK! that's enough! don't put any more sugar in

-¿subo más la persiana? -no, así ya vale — "shall I put the blind up a bit more?" - "no, it's OK like that"

7) * (=estar permitido) to be allowed

-¿puedo darle con la mano? -no, eso no vale — "can I hit it with my hand?" - "no, that's not allowed"

no vale intentarlo dos veces — you're not allowed to have two goes

no vale empujar — no pushing!, pushing's not allowed

-le han dado el trabajo al hijo del jefe -¡pues, eso no vale! — "they've given the job to the boss's son" - "that's not on!" *o"they can't do that!"

8) vale

( Esp) * (=de acuerdo) all right, OK *

-¿vamos a tomar algo? -¡vale! — "shall we go for a drink?" - "OK!" o"all right!"

pásate por mi casa esta tarde, ¿vale? — drop by my house this afternoon, OK?

vale que discutan, pero que se peguen es imperdonable — having an argument is one thing but hitting each other is another matter entirely o is inexcusable

9)

- me vale madre o sombrilla

3.

See:

valerse

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

1)

a) (tener un valor de) to be worth; (costar) to cost

no vale mucho dinero — it isn't worth much

¿cuánto valen? — how much are they?, what do they cost?

b) (equivaler a)

si x vale 8 ¿cuánto vale y? — if x is 8, what is the value of y?

¿cuánto vale un dólar en pesos? — how many pesos are there to the dollar?

2) (+ me/te/le etc)

a) (ganar)

le valió una bofetada — it earned him a slap in the face

esta obra le valió un premio — this play earned o won her a prize

b) (causar)

sus declaraciones le valieron un gran disgusto — his statement brought him a lot of trouble

2.

valer vi

1)

a) (+ compl) (tener cierto valor) to be worth; (costar) to cost

vale más, pero es mejor — it costs more but it's better

b) (equivaler)

valer por algo — to be worth something

vale por un regalo — it can be exchanged for a gift

2) (tener valor no material)

ha demostrado que vale — he has shown his worth

como profesor no vale (nada) — as a teacher he's useless

vales tanto como él — you're as good as he is

no valgo nada para él — I mean nothing to him

la novela no vale gran cosa — the novel isn't much good

hacerse valer — to assert oneself

hacer valer algo — <derecho> to assert, enforce

hizo valer su autoridad — he used o imposed his authority

3) (servir)

ésta no vale, es muy ancha — this one's no good, it's too wide

no valer para algo — to be useless o no good at something

no vales para nada! — you're completely useless

valer de algo — (+ me/te/le etc)

no le valió de nada protestar — protesting got him nowhere

sus consejos me valieron de mucho — her advice was very useful o valuable to me

4) vale (Esp fam)

a) (expresando acuerdo) OK

valer! — sure, fine, OK!

¿valer? — OK?, all right?

que llegues tarde una vez valer, pero... — being late once is one thing, but...

b) (basta)

¿valer así? — is that OK o enough?

ya valer ¿no? — don't you think that's enough?

5)

más vale: más vale que no se entere she'd better not find out; más vale así it's better that way; (+ me/te/le etc) más te vale ir you'd better go; dijo que vendría - más le vale! he said he'd come - he'd better!; más vale prevenir que curar — better safe than sorry

6)

a) (ser válido) entrada/pasaporte to be valid; jugada/partido to count

no hay excusa que valga — I don't want to hear any excuses

valga la comparación — if you know o see what I mean

... y valga la expresión — ... for want o lack of a better expression

valga la redundancia — if you'll excuse the repetition

b) (estar permitido)

eso no vale, estás haciendo trampa — that's not fair, you're cheating

no vale mirar — you're not allowed to look

7) (Méx fam)

a) (no importar) (+ me/te/le etc)

a mí eso me vale — I don't give a damn about that (colloq)

b) (no tener valor) to be useless o no good (colloq)

c) ) (estropearse)

mi coche ya valió — my car's had it (colloq)

3.

valerse v pron

1) (servirse)

valerse de algo/alguien — to use something/somebody

se valió de sus apellidos para conseguirlo — he took advantage of o used the family name to obtain it

valerse de mentiras — to lie

2) anciano/enfermo

valerse solo or por sí mismo — to look after oneself

3) (estar permitido, ser correcto)

no se vale golpear abajo del cinturón — hitting below the belt is not allowed

no se vale! — that's not fair!

* * *

= be worth, cost, do.

Nota: Verbo irregular: pasado did, participio done.

Ex. As an inveterate user of the British Museum Library he was able to confirm that 'a library is not worth anything without a catalogue'.

Ex. The Mansell pre-1956 imprint catalog, in 604 volumes, is being edited at the rate of 20,000 entries a week, and is costing $1 million per year to edit.

Ex. It needs a name, and, to coin one at random, 'memex' will do.

----

* enterarse (de) lo que vale un peine = get + the rough edge of + Posesivo + tongue.

* hacer valer = vindicate.

* hacer valer sus derechos = assert + Posesivo + rights.

* hacer valer una idea = enforce + idea.

* lo que vale para tí también vale para mí = what's good for the goose is good for the gander, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

* más vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer = better the devil you know (than the devil you don't).

* más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando = a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

* más vale prevenir que curar = a stitch in time saves nine, better (to be) safe than sorry.

* más vale que + Subjuntivo = might + as well + Verbo.

* más vale tarde que nunca = better late than never.

* no haber pero que valer = not take + no for an answer.

* no valer gran cosa = be no great shakes.

* no valer la pena = be no good.

* que vale la pena = worthwhile.

* todo vale = no holds barred.

* una imagen vale más que mil palabras = a picture is worth more than ten thousand words.

* una imagen vale mil palabras = every picture tells a story.

* vale la mitad = half the price.

* vale más vale prevenir que curar = a stitch in time saves nine.

* valer el oro y el moro = cost + the earth, cost + an arm and a leg, cost + a pretty penny.

* valer la pena = be not for nothing, be worth it, be worthwhile, be worth + the effort, be worth + Posesivo + time.

* valer la pena + Infinitivo = be worth + Gerundio, be worth + Gerundio.

* valer la pena leer Algo = repay + reading.

* valerle la pena a Uno = be worth + Posesivo + while.

* valer una fortuna = cost + a fortune.

* valer un dineral = cost + an arm and a leg, cost + a fortune.

* valer un montón = cost + a bundle.

* valer un ojo de la cara = cost + the earth, cost + an arm and a leg, cost + a pretty penny, cost + a fortune.

* valer un riñón = cost + an arm and a leg, cost + the earth, cost + a fortune.

* ¡Válgame Dios! = goodness gracious.

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

1)

a) (tener un valor de) to be worth; (costar) to cost

no vale mucho dinero — it isn't worth much

¿cuánto valen? — how much are they?, what do they cost?

b) (equivaler a)

si x vale 8 ¿cuánto vale y? — if x is 8, what is the value of y?

¿cuánto vale un dólar en pesos? — how many pesos are there to the dollar?

2) (+ me/te/le etc)

a) (ganar)

le valió una bofetada — it earned him a slap in the face

esta obra le valió un premio — this play earned o won her a prize

b) (causar)

sus declaraciones le valieron un gran disgusto — his statement brought him a lot of trouble

2.

valer vi

1)

a) (+ compl) (tener cierto valor) to be worth; (costar) to cost

vale más, pero es mejor — it costs more but it's better

b) (equivaler)

valer por algo — to be worth something

vale por un regalo — it can be exchanged for a gift

2) (tener valor no material)

ha demostrado que vale — he has shown his worth

como profesor no vale (nada) — as a teacher he's useless

vales tanto como él — you're as good as he is

no valgo nada para él — I mean nothing to him

la novela no vale gran cosa — the novel isn't much good

hacerse valer — to assert oneself

hacer valer algo — <derecho> to assert, enforce

hizo valer su autoridad — he used o imposed his authority

3) (servir)

ésta no vale, es muy ancha — this one's no good, it's too wide

no valer para algo — to be useless o no good at something

no vales para nada! — you're completely useless

valer de algo — (+ me/te/le etc)

no le valió de nada protestar — protesting got him nowhere

sus consejos me valieron de mucho — her advice was very useful o valuable to me

4) vale (Esp fam)

a) (expresando acuerdo) OK

valer! — sure, fine, OK!

¿valer? — OK?, all right?

que llegues tarde una vez valer, pero... — being late once is one thing, but...

b) (basta)

¿valer así? — is that OK o enough?

ya valer ¿no? — don't you think that's enough?

5)

más vale: más vale que no se entere she'd better not find out; más vale así it's better that way; (+ me/te/le etc) más te vale ir you'd better go; dijo que vendría - más le vale! he said he'd come - he'd better!; más vale prevenir que curar — better safe than sorry

6)

a) (ser válido) entrada/pasaporte to be valid; jugada/partido to count

no hay excusa que valga — I don't want to hear any excuses

valga la comparación — if you know o see what I mean

... y valga la expresión — ... for want o lack of a better expression

valga la redundancia — if you'll excuse the repetition

b) (estar permitido)

eso no vale, estás haciendo trampa — that's not fair, you're cheating

no vale mirar — you're not allowed to look

7) (Méx fam)

a) (no importar) (+ me/te/le etc)

a mí eso me vale — I don't give a damn about that (colloq)

b) (no tener valor) to be useless o no good (colloq)

c) ) (estropearse)

mi coche ya valió — my car's had it (colloq)

3.

valerse v pron

1) (servirse)

valerse de algo/alguien — to use something/somebody

se valió de sus apellidos para conseguirlo — he took advantage of o used the family name to obtain it

valerse de mentiras — to lie

2) anciano/enfermo

valerse solo or por sí mismo — to look after oneself

3) (estar permitido, ser correcto)

no se vale golpear abajo del cinturón — hitting below the belt is not allowed

no se vale! — that's not fair!

* * *

= be worth, cost, do.

Nota: Verbo irregular: pasado did, participio done.

Ex: As an inveterate user of the British Museum Library he was able to confirm that 'a library is not worth anything without a catalogue'.

Ex: The Mansell pre-1956 imprint catalog, in 604 volumes, is being edited at the rate of 20,000 entries a week, and is costing $1 million per year to edit.

Ex: It needs a name, and, to coin one at random, 'memex' will do.

* enterarse (de) lo que vale un peine = get + the rough edge of + Posesivo + tongue.

* hacer valer = vindicate.

* hacer valer sus derechos = assert + Posesivo + rights.

* hacer valer una idea = enforce + idea.

* lo que vale para tí también vale para mí = what's good for the goose is good for the gander, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

* más vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer = better the devil you know (than the devil you don't).

* más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando = a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

* más vale prevenir que curar = a stitch in time saves nine, better (to be) safe than sorry.

* más vale que + Subjuntivo = might + as well + Verbo.

* más vale tarde que nunca = better late than never.

* no haber pero que valer = not take + no for an answer.

* no valer gran cosa = be no great shakes.

* no valer la pena = be no good.

* que vale la pena = worthwhile.

* todo vale = no holds barred.

* una imagen vale más que mil palabras = a picture is worth more than ten thousand words.

* una imagen vale mil palabras = every picture tells a story.

* vale la mitad = half the price.

* vale más vale prevenir que curar = a stitch in time saves nine.

* valer el oro y el moro = cost + the earth, cost + an arm and a leg, cost + a pretty penny.

* valer la pena = be not for nothing, be worth it, be worthwhile, be worth + the effort, be worth + Posesivo + time.

* valer la pena + Infinitivo = be worth + Gerundio, be worth + Gerundio.

* valer la pena leer Algo = repay + reading.

* valerle la pena a Uno = be worth + Posesivo + while.

* valer una fortuna = cost + a fortune.

* valer un dineral = cost + an arm and a leg, cost + a fortune.

* valer un montón = cost + a bundle.

* valer un ojo de la cara = cost + the earth, cost + an arm and a leg, cost + a pretty penny, cost + a fortune.

* valer un riñón = cost + an arm and a leg, cost + the earth, cost + a fortune.

* ¡Válgame Dios! = goodness gracious.

* * *

valer [E28 ]

vt

A

1 (tener un valor de) to be worth; (costar) to cost

no vale mucho dinero it isn't worth much

¿cuánto or (crit) qué valen esas copas? how much are those wineglasses?, what do those wineglasses cost?

pide $2.000 por el cuadro — pues no los vale she wants $2,000 for the picture — well, it's not worth that

valer algo lo que pesa (en oro) (fam); to be worth its weight in gold (colloq)

ese chico vale lo que pesa (en oro) that kid's worth his weight in gold

2

(equivaler a): si x vale 8 ¿cuánto vale y? if x is 8, what is the value of y?

¿cuánto vale un dólar en pesos? how much is a dollar worth in pesos?, how many pesos are there to the dollar?

B (+ me/te/le etc)

(ganar): le valió una bofetada it earned him a slap in the face

esta obra le valió el premio nacional de literatura this play earned o won her the national literature prize

C

(causar): aquellas declaraciones le valieron un gran disgusto that statement brought him a lot of trouble o caused a lot of trouble for him

■ valer

vi

A

1 (+ compl) (tener cierto valor) to be worth; (costar) to cost

es de bisutería, vale muy poco it's costume jewelry, it's worth very little

vale más caro pero es mejor it costs more o it's more expensive but it's better

2 (equivaler) valer POR algo to be worth sth

cada cupón vale por un regalo each voucher is worth a gift o can be exchanged for a gift

las fichas negras valen por 50 pesos y las rojas por 100 the black chips are worth 50 pesos and the red ones 100

B

(tener valor no material): ha demostrado que vale he has shown his worth o how good he is

es buena persona pero como profesor no vale nada he's a nice guy but as a teacher he's useless o he's a dead loss (colloq)

vales tanto como él you're as good as he is

no valgo nada para el I mean nothing to him

ella es preciosa pero él no vale nada she's very pretty but he's not much to look at o not very good-looking

para esos fanáticos la vida no vale nada those fanatics place no value at all on life, life has no value for those fanatics

su última novela no vale gran cosa her latest novel isn't much good o (colloq) isn't up to much

hacerse valer to assert oneself

aprende a hacerte valer learn to be more assertive o to assert yourself o (colloq) to stick up for yourself

hacer valer algo: las minorías tienen que hacer valer sus derechos minorities must assert o enforce their rights

hizo valer su autoridad he used o imposed his authority

más vale un `toma' que dos `te daré' a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

C

1

(servir): ésta no vale, es muy ancha this one's no good o no use, it's too wide

valer PARA algo:

no valgo para el deporte I'm useless o no use o no good at sport

¡no vales para nada! you're completely useless

valer DE algo

(+ me/te/le etc): no le valió de nada protestar protesting got him nowhere, his protests were to no avail

sus consejos me han valido de mucho her advice has been very useful o valuable to me

2

(Esp fam) «ropa/zapatos» (+ me/te/le etc): este abrigo ya no le vale this coat is no use to him any more

los zapatos todavía le valen her shoes are still OK

D vale (Esp fam)

1 (expresando acuerdo) OK

¿nos encontramos en la cafetería? — ¡valer! shall we meet in the cafeteria? sure o fine o OK!

paso a buscarte a las ocho, ¿valer? I'll pick you up at eight, OK o all right?

voy a llegar un poco más tarde — valer, no te preocupes I'll be a bit late — all right o OK, don't worry

que llegues tarde una vez valer, pero tres días seguidos … being late once is one thing, but three days in a row …

2

(basta): ¿valer así o quieres más? is that OK o enough or do you want some more?

¡valer, valer, que no me quiero emborrachar! hey, that's enough o plenty! I don't want to get drunk!

ya valer, ¿no? lleváis media hora discutiendo don't you think that's enough? you've been arguing for half an hour

E

más vale: más vale que no se entere she'd better not find out

más vale que hagas lo que te dice you'd better do as he says

se van a divorciar — más vale así they're getting divorced — it's better that way o it's the best thing for them

(+ me/te/le etc): más te vale terminar a tiempo you'd better finish in time

dijo que vendría temprano — ¡más le vale! he said he'd be here early — he'd better be!

más vale prevenir que curar or (Méx) lamentar prevention is better than cure

F

1 (ser válido) «billete/pasaporte/carné» to be valid

ese pase no vale, está caducado that pass isn't valid o is no good, it's out of date

las entradas valen para toda la semana the tickets are valid for the whole week, the tickets can be used throughout the week

esta partida no vale, me ha visto las cartas this game doesn't count, he's seen my cards

lo que le dije a él también vale para ti what I told him goes for you too

no hay excusa que valga I don't want to hear o I won't accept any excuses

he tomado la decisión y no hay discusión que valga I've made my decision and I don't want any arguments

valga la comparación if you know o see what I mean

se comporta como un `nuevo millonario', valga la expresión he behaves like some sort of `nouveau millionaire', for want o lack of a better expression

redundancia

2

(estar permitido): eso no vale, estás haciendo trampa that's not fair, you're cheating

no vale mirar you mustn't look, you're not allowed to look

G

1

(Méx fam) (no importar) (+ me/te/le etc): a mí eso me vale I don't give a damn about that (colloq), I couldn't o (AmE) I could care less about that (colloq)

eso me vale gorro or (vulg) madres or (vulg) una chingada I don't give a damn (colloq) o (vulg) a shit

2 (Méx fam) (no tener valor) to be useless o no good (colloq)

saben mucha teoría pero a la hora de la hora valen they know plenty of theoretical stuff but when it comes to the crunch they're useless o no good

se las da de muy muy pero la neta es que vale gorro or (vulg) madres he likes to make out he's really something but the truth is he's useless o (sl) he's crap

3

(Méx fam) (estropearse) «coche/aparato»: mi coche ya valió my car's had it (colloq)

■ valerse

v pron

A (servirse) valerse DE algo/algn to use sth/sb

se valió de sus apellidos para conseguir el crédito he took advantage of o used the family name to get the loan

se vale de mentiras para lograr lo que quiere she lies to get what she wants

se valía de un bastón para andar he used a stick to help him walk

B

«anciano/enfermo»: ya no se vale solo or no puede valerse por sí mismo he can't take care of o look after himself any more, he can't manage o cope on his own any more

C

(AmC, Méx, Ven) (estar permitido, ser correcto): no se vale golpear abajo del cinturón hitting below the belt is not allowed

¡no se vale! that's not fair!

* * *

 

valer (conjugate valer) verbo transitivo
1 (tener un valor de) to be worth;
(costar) to cost;

◊ ¿cuánto valen? how much are they?, what do they cost?

2 (+ me/te/le etc) (ganar):

◊ esta obra le valió un premio this play earned o won her a prize

verbo intransitivo
1 (+ compl) (tener cierto valor) to be worth;
(costar) to cost;

◊ vale más, pero es mejor it costs more but it's better;

cada cupón vale por un regalo each voucher is worth a gift
2 (tener valor no material):

◊ ha demostrado que vale he has shown his worth;

como profesor no vale (nada) as a teacher he's useless;
vales tanto como él you're as good as he is;
hacerse valer to assert oneself;
hacer valer algo ‹derecho› to assert o enforce sth
3 (servir):

◊ esta no vale, es muy ancha this one's no good, it's too wide;

no le valió de nada protestar protesting got him nowhere;
no valer para algo to be useless o no good at sth
4

◊ vale (Esp fam)

a) (expresando acuerdo) OK;

◊ ¿a las ocho? — ¡vale! at eight o'clock? — sure o fine o OK?;

¿vale? OK?, all right?

b) (basta):

◊ ¿valer así? is that OK o enough?

5

◊ más vale : más vale así it's better that way;

más te vale ir you'd better go
6

a) (ser válido) [entrada/pasaporte] to be valid;

[jugada/partido] to count

b) (estar permitido):

◊ eso no vale, estás haciendo trampa that's not fair, you're cheating;

no vale mirar you're not allowed to look
7 (Méx fam)

a) (no importar):

◊ a mí eso me vale I don't give a damn about that (colloq)

b) (no tener valor) to be useless o no good (colloq)

c) (estropearse):

◊ mi coche ya valió my car's had it (colloq)

valerse verbo pronominal
1 (servirse) valerse de algo/algn to use sth/sb
2 [anciano/enfermo]:

◊ valerse por sí mismo to look after oneself

3 (estar permitido, ser correcto):

◊ no se vale golpear por debajo del cinturón hitting below the belt is not allowed;

¡no se vale! that's not fair!
valer
I verbo transitivo
1 (tener precio, costar) to cost
2 (tener valor) to be worth ➣ Ver nota en worth
3 (ser causa o motivo de) to earn: el suspenso le valió una reprimenda, he was told off for failing
4 (merecer) to be worth: vale la pena leerlo, it is worth reading
II verbo intransitivo
1 (ser meritorio) es una mujer que vale mucho, she is a fine woman
2 (ser útil, capaz) vale para rastrillar hojas, it is used to rake up leaves
no vale para estudiar, he is no good at studying
de nada vale quejarse, it is useless to complain
3 (ropa, zapatos) to fit: ya no me vale, it doesn't fit me anymore
'valer' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
pena
- potosí
- riñón
- significar
- real
- valdré
- vale
- valga
English:
assert
- fit
- pay off
- stake
- stand
- worth
- enforce
- pay
- stick
- worthless

* * *

valer

♦ vt

1. [costar] [precio] to cost;

[tener un valor de] to be worth;

¿cuánto vale? how much does it cost?, how much is it?;

¿cuántos pesos vale un dólar?, ¿cuánto vale un dólar en pesos? how many pesos are there to the dollar?;

este cuadro vale mucho dinero this painting is worth a lot of money;

Comp

valer su peso en oro to be worth its/his/etc weight in gold

2. [suponer] to earn;

su generosidad le valió el afecto de todos her generosity earned her everyone's affection;

esta victoria puede valerles el campeonato this win may be enough for them to take the championship;

aquello nos valió muchos disgustos that cost us a lot of trouble

3. [merecer] to deserve;

esta noticia bien vale una celebración this news calls for a celebration

4. [en exclamaciones]

Comp

¡válgame Dios! good God o heavens!

♦ vi

1. [tener valor, merecer aprecio] [persona, película, obra] to be good;

él era el que más valía en el equipo he was the most valuable member of the team;

ha demostrado que vale he's shown his worth;

el muchacho vale mucho the lad's very good;

su mujer vale más que él his wife's worth more than him;

la obra vale poco/no vale nada the play isn't worth much o Br isn't up to much/is no good at all;

hacer valer algo [derechos, autoridad, poder] to assert sth;

el equipo local hizo valer su superioridad the home team made its superiority count;

hacerse valer to show one's worth

2. [servir]

eso aún vale you can still use that;

tíralo, ya no vale throw it away, it's no use any more;

¿te vale este martillo/este sobre? is this hammer/this envelope any use to you?;

valer de algo: sus consejos me valieron de mucho her advice proved of great value o use to me;

de nada le valdrán o [m5]no le valdrán de nada sus artimañas all his tricks will be no good o of no use to him;

de nada vale insistir o [m5]que insistamos there's no point (in) insisting, it's no use insisting;

¿de qué vale contratar un seguro si no cubre estos casos? what's the use of o the point in taking out an insurance policy if it doesn't cover cases like these?;

valer para algo [objeto, instrumento, aparato] to be for sth;

[persona, trabajador] to be good at sth;

¿para qué vale? [cosa] what's it for?;

no vale para nada he's/she's/it's useless;

yo no valgo para mentir I'm useless o no good at telling lies

3. [ser válido] [documento, carnet, argumentos, norma] to be valid;

[respuesta] to be correct;

eso no vale [en juegos] that's not allowed;

no me valen esas razones I don't consider those reasons to be acceptable o valid;

esta moneda ya no vale this coin is no longer legal tender;

vale el gol the goal stands;

vale la canasta the basket still counts;

no vale el gol/la canasta the goal/basket has been disallowed;

esta carrera vale para el campeonato del mundo this race counts towards the world championship;

valga la expresión if you'll pardon the expression;

valga la redundancia if you'll forgive me for using two words that sound so similar in the same sentence;

Comp

no hay … que valga: no hay disculpa que valga there are no excuses

4. [equivaler]

vale por 1.000 pesos it's worth 1,000 pesos;

vale por una camiseta de regalo it can be exchanged for a free T-shirt

5. Esp [ser la talla] to be the right size, to fit;

ya no me vale la falda the skirt doesn't fit me any more

6. Méx Fam [no importar] to be irrelevant;

lo que él piense me vale I couldn't care less what he thinks

7.

más vale: más vale que te calles/vayas it would be better if you shut up/left;

más vale que no trate de engañarnos he'd better not try to cheat us;

la llamaré – ¡más te vale! I'll call her – you'd better!;

Comp

más vale tarde que nunca better late than never

♦ nm

Formal worth, value

♦ See also the pronominal verb valerse

* * *

valer

I v/t

1 be worth

2 (costar) cost

II v/i

1 de billete, carné be valid

2 (estar permitido) be allowed

3 (tener valor)

:

vale mucho it’s worth a lot

4 (servir) be of use;

no valer para algo be no good at sth;

no valer para nada de objeto be useless;

sus consejos me valieron de mucho his advice was very useful to me

5 (costar)

:

¿cuánto vale? how much is it?;

vale más caro it’s more expensive

6 (emplear)

:

hacer valer autoridad assert;

el presidente hizo valer su voto de calidad para … the president used his casting vote to …

7

:

más vale … it’s better to …;

más te vale … amenaza you’d better …; consejo you’d be better to …

8

:

¡vale! okay, sure;

¿vale? okay?; (amenaza) got it?;

¡eso no vale! that’s not fair!;

¡vale ya!, ¡ya vale! that’s enough!

* * *

valer {84} vt

1) : to be worth

valen una fortuna: they're worth a fortune

no vale protestar: there's no point in protesting

valer la pena: to be worth the trouble

2) : to cost

¿cuánto vale?: how much does it cost?

3) : to earn, to gain

le valió una reprimenda: it earned him a reprimand

4) : to protect, to aid

¡válgame Dios!: God help me!

5) : to be equal to

valer vi

1) : to have value

sus consejos no valen para nada: his advice is worthless

2) : to be valid, to count

¡eso no vale!: that doesn't count!

3)

hacerse valer : to assert oneself

4)

más vale : it's better

más vale que te vayas: you'd better go

♦ See also the reflexive verb valerse

* * *

valer vb

1. (costar) to cost [pt. & pp. cost]

¿cuánto vale este libro? how much does this book cost?

2. (tener el valor) to be worth

un euro vale unas 166 pesetas a euro is worth about 166 pesetas

3. (ganar) to earn

la protesta le valió la tarjeta roja protesting earned him a red card

4. (servir) to do / to be useful

esas botas pueden valer para caminar por el campo those boots will do for walking in the country

esa cacerola vieja ya no vale that old saucepan is no longer any use

5. (tener cualidades) to be good

no valdría para médico he'd be no good as a doctor

esa película no vale nada that film is no good / that film is useless

6. (ser válido) to be valid

mi pasaporte ya no vale my passport is no longer valid

la oferta vale para toda la semana the offer is valid for the whole week

7. (ser permitido) to be allowed

no vale hacer trampas cheating isn't allowed

más te vale hacer algo you'd better do something

más te vale no llegar tarde you'd better not be late

valer la pena to be worth it

vale la pena verlo it's worth seeing