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"Calcular" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to calculate", and "valer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to be worth". Learn more about the difference between "calcular" and "valer" below.
calcular(
kahl
-
koo
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to calculate
En este problema tengo que calcular la velocidad del coche A.In this problem I have to calculate the speed of car A.
b. to work out
En clase Jorge tuvo que calcular cuánto medía la hipotenusa del triángulo.In class Jorge had to work out the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle.
2. (to guess)
a. to reckon
Si salimos de casa ya, calculo que llegaremos sobre la hora de comer.If we leave home now, I reckon we will arrive around lunch time.
b. to suppose
Calculo que María y Juan estarán por llegar porque suelen ser puntuales.I suppose that Maria and Juan will be here any minute now because they are usually punctual.
c. to estimate
El profesor calcula que hay cinco alumnos que necesitan clases particulares.The teacher estimates that there are five students who need private tutoring.
d. to figure (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Mi madre calcula que vendrán a la fiesta unas veinte personas.My mother figures that twenty people will attend the party.
3. (to plan)
a. to work out
He calculado todo para que Miguel no se entere de la fiesta sorpresa.I worked everything out so that Miguel doesn't find out about the surprise party.
4. (colloquial) (to think)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to imagine
¡Calcula la ilusión que me hizo encontrarme con un viejo amigo!Imagine how excited I was of running into an old friend!
a. to design
Cuando entré en la oficina, el arquitecto estaba calculando un puente sobre un plano.When I entered the office, the architect was designing a bridge onto a blueprint.
valer(
bah
-
lehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to be equal to
En esta ecuación, la variable X vale 2.5.In this equation, the variable X is equal to 2.5.
4. (to secure)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be valuable
Esa foto de mi abuela vale mucho para mí.That picture of my grandma is very valuable to me.
6. (to serve)
a. to be useful
Las correcciones que hizo en mi ensayo me han valido de mucho.I found the edits she made to my essay very useful.
b. to be valid
Tu licencia de conducir se ha caducado y ya no vale.Your driver's license has expired and is no longer valid.
a. to be allowed
No vale usar los libros de textos durante los exámenes.Using textbooks during exams is not allowed.
8. (colloquial) (to be ruined) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to be no good (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mi celular ya valió después de haberse mojado.My cell phone is no good since it got wet.
9. (colloquial) (to be irrelevant) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to not care less (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Me vale lo que piensa la gente.I couldn't care less what people think.
valerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
