valer: to be worth
The verb valer means "to be worth," "to have value," or "to cost" in a figurative or literal sense. It is an irregular verb that is used to express the value or price of something, as well as to indicate usefulness or validity.
Conjugations
Valer is irregular in several tenses, especially in the first-person singular forms and subjunctive mood. Below are the most common conjugations:
- Present Indicative: Expresses current value or cost.
- Preterite Indicative: Indicates the value or cost at a specific past moment.
- Imperfect Indicative: Describes habitual or background value in the past.
- Future Indicative: Predicts what something will be worth.
- Conditional: States what something would be worth under certain conditions.
- Present Subjunctive: Used in subjective or uncertain contexts.
- Present Perfect: Describes a value or cost that has occurred recently or is relevant to the present.
Usage
Here are the main ways valer is used:
- To indicate the monetary value or price of something.
- To express the worth or importance of an object, action, or idea.
- To convey usefulness or validity.
- Often appears in reflexive form (e.g., "valerse de") to mean "to make use of."
Comparison with Similar Verbs
- costar: Focuses specifically on the price or cost of something (usually in monetary terms).
- vale: Colloquial form meaning "okay" or "fine," derived from valer but used as an interjection.
Examples
Here are some example sentences using valer in different tenses:
- ¿Cuánto vale este cuadro? (Present) — How much is this painting worth?
- Ese regalo valió mucho para mí. (Preterite) — That gift was very valuable to me.
- Antes, la plata valía más. (Imperfect) — In the past, silver was worth more.
- El oro valdrá más mañana. (Future) — Gold will be worth more tomorrow.
- Yo no valdría nada sin ti. (Conditional) — I would be worth nothing without you.
- Espero que valga la pena. (Present Subjunctive) — I hope it’s worth it.
- Él ya ha valido mucho en el mercado. (Present Perfect) — He has already been very valuable in the market.
Related Expressions
- valer la pena: to be worth it
- valer por: to be worth as much as, to be equivalent to
- valerse de: to make use of
Summary Table
| Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| yo (present) | yo valgo | I am worth |
| tú (preterite) | tú valiste | you were worth |
| él/ella (imperfect) | ella valía | she was worth |
| nosotros (future) | nosotros valdremos | we will be worth |
| ellos (conditional) | ellos valdrían | they would be worth |
| yo (present subjunctive) | que yo valga | that I be worth |
| él (present perfect) | él ha valido | he has been worth |
- valer is an irregular Spanish verb meaning "to be worth."
- It is used to express value, cost, usefulness, or importance.
- It has irregular stems in many tenses (val-, valdr-, valg-).
- Common expressions include valer la pena (to be worth it) and valerse de (to make use of something).
How does valer differ from kosztar in Spanish grammar?
Valer expresses worth, value, or validity and has broader uses, while costar specifically refers to the price or cost (usually monetary) of something.
Valer has a broader range of meanings including usefulness and importance, while costar focuses on monetary cost.
How do you say "Gold will be worth more tomorrow." in Spanish using valer in the future tense?
El oro valdrá más mañana.
"Valdrá" is the third-person singular future indicative form, used for predictions.
How do you say "I hope it’s worth it." in Spanish using valer in the present subjunctive?
Espero que valga la pena.
"Valga" is the correct present subjunctive form used after "Espero que."
Flashcards (1 of 7)
- Pronoun: yo (present)
- English Translation: I am worth
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
