no vale nada

it's not up to much

no vale nada(noh bah-leh nah-dah)

phrase

1. (it, he or she isn't good)

a. it's not up to much

Fuimos a ver su última obra de teatro y no vale nada.

We went to see his last play, and it's not up to much.

b. isn't up to much

Este cuadro no vale nada. No sé por qué es tan famoso.

This painting isn't up to much. I don't know why it's so famous.

c. he's useless (masculine)

Como compositor no vale nada, aunque reconozco que tiene la voz bonita.

As a composer he's useless, although I must admit he has a beautiful voice.

d. she's useless (feminine)

Es buena traductora, pero como intérprete no vale nada.

She's a good translator, but she's useless as an interpreter.

e. it's useless

¿Funciona bien este abrelatas? - No, no vale nada. Debería tirarlo.

Does this can opener work well? - No, it's useless. I should throw it away.

f. is useless

Esta cortadora de césped no vale nada. Tendríamos que comprar otra.

This lawnmower is useless. We should buy another one.

2. (he or she isn't attractive)

a. he's not much to look at (masculine)

¿Cómo es su esposo? - No vale nada, pero ella está muy enamorada de él.

What is her husband like? - He's not much to look at, but she's really in love with him.

b. she's not much to look at (feminine)

No vale nada, pero tiene mucho encanto.

She's not much to look at, but she's got a lot of charm.

c. isn't much to look at

María no vale nada. - Pues a mí me parece muy atractiva.

Maria isn't much to look at. - Well, I think she's very attractive.