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"Merecer la pena" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be worth", and "valer" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to be worth". Learn more about the difference between "merecer la pena" and "valer" below.
merecer la pena(
meh
-
reh
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sehr
lah
peh
-
nah
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (general)
a. to be worth
Como ves, merece la pena esforzarse. Los resultados son mucho mejores.As you can see, it's worth making an effort. You get much better results.
b. to be worthwhile
Quizá merezca la pena gastar un poco más en unos zapatos de mejor calidad.Maybe it's worthwhile spending a bit more money in some better quality shoes.
c. to be worth the trouble
No merece la pena hacer un viaje de cinco horas para pasar solo dos allí.It isn't worth the trouble traveling for five hours to then spend only two there.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El libro merece la pena, pero la película es muy mala.The book is worth reading, but the movie is really bad.
No sabemos si lograremos llegar a la cima de la montaña, pero merece la pena intentarlo.We don't know whether we'll be able to reach the mountain summit, but it's worth a try.
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Tu licencia de conducir se ha caducado y ya no vale.Your driver's license has expired and is no longer valid.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.).
