How do you say, "You better."

Question

Like when you say, You better do it.

Answer 1

Hey Heidita,

Is "Será mejor que..." usually used in the same demanding, threatening manner as in English? I ask because the phrase "you had better" usually makes a demand and, then supplies an undesirable consequence for not carrying out the demand.

Examples:

• You'd better clean your room, or (else) I will take away you video games for a week!
• You'd better eat all your vegetables, or (else) you'll get no desert!
• You'd better get that project done, Jones, or (else) you're fired!

Sometimes a general, unspecified threat is simply implied: "You'd better take out the trash (or else)!"

Also, are you saying "You will be better that..." or are you saying "It will be better that..."?

NOTE: terms in parenthesis are optional

Answer 2

Jason, not really, this is a fixed sentence in Spanish, like in English for that matter.

You'd better: Será mejor que.....+ subjunctive

Would you finish with hacerlo? So, "Será mejor que hacerlo." I hope I didn't mess this up!! - Jason7R, Sep 15, 2009

Hey, I thought it should be in the subjunctive! I didn't know that you had to say será mejor que, but looks like my subjunctive radar is finally coming in. - Fredbong, Sep 15, 2009

Answer 3

Thanks Heidita, I'm glad the gurus check up on us!! I never knew this. Looking at the structure of this, it makes sense. Oh do I have a long way to go. I'm looking forward in learning more!!!!

It is good to have people like you on board, Jason, helpful and friendly and wanting to learn :):) - 00494d19, Sep 15, 2009

I truly appreciate that. - Jason7R, Sep 15, 2009

Answer 4

Hmm, not really a command so much as a type of idiom I would say. They often say 'más vale que', followed by the present subjunctive. So, by translating it (lo), and using the verb hacer in the present subjunctive (you (tú) form), you will get your answer.

Another example:

• 'más vale que lo sepas' - you'd better know it

(sepas - you (tú) form present subjunctive of 'saber' - know)

Or 'Será mejor que + subjunctive' of course, as Heidita has rightfully pointed out, sorry to confuse!!! I think they are the two most popular ways to say it. - r1alford, Sep 15, 2009

Answer 5

It's should be some form of the verb hacer. It's a command so... this should be enough to get you going on the answer. Good luck.