Get well soon
in SpanishQue te mejores pronto
/keh teh meh-HOH-rehs PRON-toh/
This is the most common and natural way to say 'get well soon' to a friend, family member, or anyone you address with 'tú'. It's a warm and caring wish that literally translates to 'May you get better soon.'
A warm gesture of care often accompanies the words 'Que te mejores pronto' (Get well soon).
💬Other Ways to Say It
Que se mejore pronto
/keh seh meh-HOH-reh PRON-toh/
This is the formal version of the primary phrase, used when speaking to someone you'd address as 'usted'—like an elder, a boss, or someone you've just met. The only change is from 'te' to 'se' and 'mejores' to 'mejore', but it makes all the difference in politeness.
Recupérate pronto
/rreh-koo-PEH-rah-teh PRON-toh/
A very common and slightly more direct alternative, meaning 'Recover soon.' It's like a friendly command or encouragement. The verb 'recuperar' is a direct cousin of the English 'recuperate,' making it easy to remember.
Espero que te mejores pronto
/ehs-PEH-roh keh teh meh-HOH-rehs PRON-toh/
This phrase means 'I hope that you get better soon.' It's a bit more personal and explicit than the primary translation because you're stating your own hope. It can be used in both formal ('espero que se mejore') and informal contexts.
Cuídate mucho
/KWEE-dah-teh MOO-choh/
While it literally means 'Take great care of yourself,' this is an extremely common and warm way to end a conversation with someone who is sick. It functions very similarly to 'get well soon' and shows deep care.
Mejórate
/meh-HOH-rah-teh/
This is the shortest and most direct way to say 'Get better.' It's a command form, but it's used as a friendly, encouraging instruction. It's very casual and common among close friends.
Le deseo una pronta recuperación
/leh deh-SEH-oh OO-nah PRON-tah rreh-koo-peh-rah-SYOHN/
This is a very formal and somewhat official-sounding phrase meaning 'I wish you a speedy recovery.' You'll often see this in formal letters, emails from a company to an employee, or official communications.
Que te alivies pronto
/keh teh ah-LEE-byehs PRON-toh/
Meaning 'May you find relief soon,' this phrase focuses on the relief from symptoms or pain. 'Aliviar' means to alleviate or relieve. It's a very empathetic and gentle expression.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best 'get well' phrase based on the situation and formality.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Que te mejores pronto | Informal | Friends, family, and peers. It's the universal default for anyone you call 'tú'. | Speaking to a boss, an elder, or anyone you need to show formal respect to. |
| Que se mejore pronto | Formal | Your boss, a client, an elderly person, or anyone you address as 'usted'. | Talking to close friends or children, as it would sound oddly distant and cold. |
| Recupérate pronto | Informal | Giving an encouraging, friendly boost to a friend or colleague. | Very formal situations, where it might sound a bit too direct or commanding. |
| Le deseo una pronta recuperación | Very Formal | Official written communications, like a company email or a formal letter. | Any casual spoken conversation, where it would sound robotic and overly formal. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy for English speakers. The only tricky sound is the 'j' in 'mejores,' which is like the 'h' in 'hello' but made further back in the throat.
The grammar is a bit complex for a beginner because it uses reflexive pronouns ('te'/'se') and the subjunctive mood ('mejores'/'mejore'), which are not direct English equivalents.
The main cultural point is correctly applying formality ('tú' vs 'usted'). Otherwise, the sentiment is very straightforward and similar to English.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'te' for informal and 'se' for formal.
- Mastering the throaty Spanish 'j' sound.
- Getting used to the 'Que + subjunctive' structure for wishes.
💡Examples in Action
Hola Ana, escuché que estás enferma. ¡Que te mejores pronto! Avísame si necesitas algo.
Hi Ana, I heard you're sick. Get well soon! Let me know if you need anything.
Señor García, lamento oír que no se siente bien. Espero que se mejore pronto.
Mr. Garcia, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I hope you get well soon.
Querida abuela, te enviamos un fuerte abrazo y deseamos que te recuperes pronto. Con mucho cariño.
Dear Grandma, we're sending you a big hug and hope you recover soon. With much love.
¡Animo, amigo! Sé que es duro, pero ya verás que te alivias pronto. ¡Cuídate mucho!
Cheer up, friend! I know it's tough, but you'll see that you'll get relief soon. Take great care!
🌍Cultural Context
The Power of a Wish
The phrase 'Que te mejores' uses a special verb form called the subjunctive. Don't worry about the grammar term! Just know that this 'Que + verb' structure is how Spanish speakers express hopes and wishes for someone else. It's softer and less direct than a command, like casting a positive spell for their recovery.
More Than Just Words
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, words of care are often accompanied by physical gestures. Don't be surprised if a 'que te mejores' comes with a comforting pat on the arm, a hand on the shoulder, or a hug (if the relationship is close). It's a way of physically transmitting that care and support.
Offering Help is the Next Step
It's very common and culturally expected to follow up a 'get well' wish with a concrete offer of help. Phrases like 'Si necesitas algo, dime' (If you need anything, tell me) or '¿Te puedo traer algo?' (Can I bring you something?) are natural next steps that show your wish is sincere.
Formality Matters
The distinction between 'te' (informal) and 'se' (formal) is crucial. Using 'te' with a boss or an elderly person can come across as overly familiar or even disrespectful. When in doubt, always default to the formal 'Que se mejore' to show respect.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation Error
Mistake: "Saying something like 'Consigue bien pronto' or 'Obtén bien pronto'."
Correction: Que te mejores pronto.
Mixing Up Formality
Mistake: "Telling your elderly neighbor, '¡Hola! Que te mejores pronto.'"
Correction: ¡Hola! Que se mejore pronto.
Forgetting the 'Que'
Mistake: "Saying 'Te mejores pronto' in a conversation."
Correction: Que te mejores pronto.
Using the Wrong Verb Mood
Mistake: "Saying 'Que te mejoras pronto.'"
Correction: Que te mejores pronto.
💡Pro Tips
Match the Pronoun to the Person
Think of it this way: 'te' is for your friends (tú). 'se' is for your seniors (usted). If you're in Spain talking to a group of friends, use 'os' ('Que os mejoréis'). For any group in Latin America, or a formal group in Spain, use 'se' ('Que se mejoren').
Add Warmth with a Closing
After you wish them well, add a warm closing to show extra care. Common options include 'Un abrazo' (A hug), 'Un beso' (A kiss - for close friends/family), or 'Cuídate mucho' (Take great care).
How to Respond When Someone Thanks You
If the sick person says 'Gracias' for your well-wishes, a perfect and natural response is 'De nada, ¡cuídate!' (You're welcome, take care!) or 'No hay de qué, es lo mínimo' (Don't mention it, it's the least I can do).
Use 'Recupérate' for an Encouraging Boost
'Que te mejores' is a soft wish, while 'Recupérate pronto' feels more like a positive command or a piece of encouragement. Use 'Recupérate' when you want to give your friend a little motivational push to get better.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The most notable difference is the use of 'vosotros' for informal plural. If you're wishing a group of friends well, you must say 'Que os mejoréis pronto.' Using 'que se mejoren' for friends would sound like you're treating them as strangers.
Mexico
'Que te alivies' (may you find relief) is very common and empathetic, often used when someone has noticeable pain or discomfort. Also, adding 'Cuídate mucho' is an almost standard, warm closing.
Argentina
While Argentina uses 'vos' instead of 'tú', for this specific subjunctive phrase, the verb form is the same: 'que te mejores'. The command form, however, is different: 'Mejorate' or 'Cuidate' (with the stress on the 'a').
📱Texting & Social Media
Que te mejores
WhatsApp, Instagram comments, Facebook messages.
Hey, supe lo tuyo. q t mejores pronto!
Hey, I heard about what happened. Hope you get better soon!
Que Te Mejores
Quick texts between young people or close friends.
Amiga, acabo de leer tu post. QTM! ❤️
Girl, I just read your post. Get well soon! ❤️
💬What Comes Next?
After you wish them well
Muchas gracias.
Thank you very much.
De nada. Ahora a descansar y cuidarte.
You're welcome. Now rest and take care of yourself.
You ask how they are feeling
Ahí voy, poco a poco.
I'm getting there, little by little.
Bueno, paciencia. ¡Recupérate pronto!
Well, be patient. Recover soon!
You offer to help
Gracias, eres muy amable.
Thanks, you're very kind.
En serio, si necesitas cualquier cosa, solo avísame.
Seriously, if you need anything at all, just let me know.
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the Spanish word to a similar-sounding English concept, making it easier to recall the meaning of 'mejorar' as 'to improve' or 'get better'.
This is a cognate—a word that shares a linguistic origin. When you want to say 'recover,' just think of 'recuperate' and you'll easily remember 'recupérate'.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'Get well soon' is a simple command. In Spanish, the most common way to say it, 'Que te mejores pronto', is structured as a wish or hope. This 'Que...' formula reveals a cultural tendency to express desires for others in a less direct, more hopeful way. You're not telling them what to do; you're expressing a strong wish for their well-being to the universe.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: While you can say 'Espero que te sientas mejor pronto' (I hope you feel better soon), it's much less common than 'Que te mejores'. The focus in Spanish is more on the act of 'improving' or 'getting better' (mejorar) rather than the state of 'feeling' (sentir).
Use instead: Stick with 'Que te mejores pronto' for the most natural and common expression.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How are you feeling?
This is the natural question to ask before you tell someone to get well soon.
I'm sick
This helps you understand the context and be able to express your own state of health.
Let me know if you need anything
This is the perfect follow-up phrase to show sincere care after wishing someone well.
Take care
A versatile phrase that can be used as a goodbye and also as a wish for someone's well-being.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Get well soon
Question 1 of 3
You find out your boss, Sr. Ramirez, is home with the flu. What is the most appropriate way to write to him in an email?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'Que te mejores' and 'Que se mejore'?
The only difference is formality. 'Que te mejores' is informal, used for friends, family, and people you call 'tú'. 'Que se mejore' is formal, for people you show respect to like elders, bosses, or strangers, whom you'd call 'usted'. Using the wrong one can sound either too cold or too familiar.
Can I just say 'Mejórate'?
Yes, you absolutely can, but only with close friends or family. 'Mejórate' is a direct, friendly command, like saying 'Get better!'. It's very common in casual texts and conversations but would be inappropriate in a formal setting.
Is 'Recupérate pronto' more or less formal than 'Que te mejores'?
They have about the same level of informality. Both are used with friends and family. 'Que te mejores' is a soft wish, while 'Recupérate pronto' has a slightly more active, encouraging tone, like you're cheering them on to recover.
How do I say 'get well soon' to a group of people?
It depends on where you are! In Spain, for a group of friends, you'd say 'Que os mejoréis pronto'. In Latin America (or for any formal group in Spain), you'd say 'Que se mejoren pronto'.
What's a good response if someone tells me 'Que te mejores'?
A simple and warm 'Gracias' or 'Muchas gracias' is the perfect response. You can also add something like, 'Gracias, eso espero' (Thanks, I hope so) or 'Gracias por tus buenos deseos' (Thanks for your good wishes).
Why does the verb change to 'mejores' instead of the usual 'mejoras'?
Great question! It's because the phrase is a wish, not a statement of fact. In Spanish, when you express hopes, wishes, or desires for someone else (often starting with 'Que...'), the verb takes on a special 'wishing form' called the subjunctive. You don't need to know the grammar rule, just remember that 'Que' often triggers this special ending.
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