What word is this? It sounds like (bah-LAY) and is used alot...

Question

I've been trying to watch spanish TV, and the show I watch keeps using a word tht sounds like (bah-LAY) There is no closed captioning so I have no idea how to spell it. I recently got a spanish.english dictionary and the closest thing I found was ballet which I am pretty sure that they aren't talking about ballet.

This word seems to be important so if you have any idea what it could be i will love you for ever. (or at the least, appreciate your help)

Wow, Thanks guys. I forgot about the whold B=V thing. :) - sweetycool76, Feb 13, 2010

Answer 1

It could be "vale" if the Spanish is from Spain. It means OK or similar interjections.

clipped online:

Vale -- This is used in the same way as we use "OK" or any of its equivalents: sure, I understand, I agree, etc. (Ex: Denota que se está de acuerdo con que otro dice o hace). When the Spanish say it, it kind of sounds like "ballet."

".....any of its equivalents" - that's very good to know. Thanks Q - patch, Feb 13, 2010

Answer 2

Vale is pretty flexible. That's why you'll hear it a lot in Spain. It is very similar to OK in English. It can also be used to indicate agreement.

A literal translation to English might be "It costs..." In this context as opposed to the "ok" use you might hear

¿Cuanto vale¿ an alternative to Cuanto es = "How much?"

or also

Es que no vale nada. meaning literally "it has no value". This phrase is often used in the sense of "It's worthless"

Another useful phrase you'll hear is No vale la pena

This means "It's not worth the trouble". "It's not worth it" "Don't bother"

Useful information Birdland. Thank you - patch, Feb 13, 2010

Answer 3

Depending on the context, could it be bailé (the first person preterit for bailar=to dance)?