vale
“vale” means “Okay” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
Okay, AlrightAlso: Deal, Got it
📝 In Action
¿Vamos al cine esta noche? — ¡Vale!
A1Are we going to the movies tonight? — Okay!
Recuerda cerrar la puerta con llave. — Vale, no te preocupes.
A2Remember to lock the door. — Alright, don't worry.
Necesito que me ayudes con esto. — Vale, ¿qué hago?
B1I need you to help me with this. — Got it, what do I do?
Word Connections
it's worth, it costsAlso: it's valid, it's good for
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto vale este sombrero?
A2How much does this hat cost?
Este billete de tren ya no vale.
B1This train ticket is no longer valid.
Tu amistad vale más que todo el oro del mundo.
B2Your friendship is worth more than all the gold in the world.
voucherAlso: coupon, IOU, gift certificate
📝 In Action
Tengo un vale de descuento del 20% para esta tienda.
B1I have a 20% discount voucher for this store.
Me pagó con un vale de comida para el restaurante de la empresa.
B2He paid me with a meal voucher for the company restaurant.
No tengo dinero ahora, ¿te puedo firmar un vale?
B2I don't have money right now, can I sign an IOU for you?
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "vale" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: vale
Question 1 of 3
Your friend in Madrid says, '¿Tomamos un café?' How should you respond to say 'Okay!'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word 'vale' in all its forms comes from the Latin verb 'valēre', which meant 'to be strong, to be well, to be worth'. The interjection '¡Vale!' comes from the imperative form 'valē', which was used as a farewell, similar to 'be well' or 'farewell'. Over time, its meaning shifted to one of agreement.
First recorded: 12th century (for the verb 'valer')
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vale' only used in Spain?
While it's most famous for being used constantly in Spain, it is understood in most of the Spanish-speaking world. However, it's used much less frequently in Latin America, where people are more likely to say 'okey', 'está bien', or 'dale'.
What's the difference between 'vale' and 'cuesta'?
When asking for a price, they are very similar. '¿Cuánto vale?' (How much is it worth?) and '¿Cuánto cuesta?' (How much does it cost?) are often interchangeable. 'Valer' can also be used for non-monetary value (e.g., 'vale la pena' - it's worth it), while 'costar' is almost always about price or effort.
Can I use 'vale' in a formal situation?
As an interjection ('Okay'), it's generally informal or neutral. In a very formal setting, it would be better to say 'De acuerdo' or 'Entendido'. When used as a verb ('it costs') or a noun ('voucher'), it is perfectly fine for all situations, formal and informal.