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How to Say "to appreciate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agradecer

ah-grah-deh-SEHRaɣɾaðeˈθeɾ

verbA2general
Use 'agradecer' when you want to express thanks for a specific action, favor, or gift someone has given you.
A child smiling and handing a colorful flower to an elderly woman who looks happy.

Examples

Te agradezco mucho tu ayuda.

I really thank you for your help.

Quiero agradecerte por el regalo.

I want to thank you for the gift.

Se agradece el esfuerzo de todo el equipo.

The effort of the whole team is appreciated.

The 'yo' form spelling change

When talking about yourself in the present ('I thank'), the 'c' changes to 'zc'. So, instead of 'agradeco', you say 'agradezco'.

Using 'por' to show the reason

When you want to say what you are thanking someone for, use the word 'por'. For example: 'Gracias por la comida' or 'Te agradezco por venir'.

Using 'a' for the person

Mistake: “Agradezco a ti.”

Correction: Te agradezco. In Spanish, we use small pronouns like 'te' or 'le' before the verb to show who we are thanking, rather than 'a' + person at the end.

apreciar

ah-preh-SYAHRapɾeˈsjaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'apreciar' when you want to convey that you recognize and value the worth or quality of a person, thing, or situation.
A person holding a small, glowing heart in their hands with a look of gratitude.

Examples

Aprecio la sinceridad de tus comentarios.

I appreciate the sincerity of your comments.

Realmente aprecio mucho tu ayuda con la mudanza.

I really appreciate your help with the move a lot.

Es un profesor muy apreciado por sus alumnos.

He is a teacher who is very well-liked by his students.

A standard -ar verb

This verb follows the regular pattern for -ar endings, making it easy to conjugate once you know the basics.

Apreciar vs. Agradecer

Mistake: “Using 'apreciar' to say 'thank you' for a specific action.”

Correction: Use 'agradecer' for 'I thank you' (Te agradezco la ayuda) and 'apreciar' for 'I value your help' (Aprecio tu ayuda).

valorar

bah-loh-RAHRbaloˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'valorar' when you want to emphasize that you recognize and hold in high esteem the worth, importance, or significance of something, like a relationship or effort.
A child carefully holding a small, glowing plant with both hands, looking at it with admiration.

Examples

Valoro nuestra amistad por encima de todo.

I value our friendship above all else.

Valoro mucho tu amistad.

I value your friendship very much.

Debemos valorar el esfuerzo de los demás.

We should appreciate the effort of others.

Mis padres siempre me enseñaron a valorar las cosas pequeñas.

My parents always taught me to appreciate the little things.

Using 'a' with people

When you value a specific person, you must use the 'personal a'. For example: 'Valoro a mi profesor'.

Adverb placement

In Spanish, words like 'mucho' or 'poco' usually go right after 'valorar' to say how much you appreciate something.

Missing the 'a'

Mistake: “Valoro mi madre.”

Correction: Valoro a mi madre. (You need the 'a' because you are talking about a specific person you care about.)

Gratitude vs. Value

Learners often confuse 'agradecer' and 'valorar'. Remember that 'agradecer' is primarily for thanking someone for a specific deed, while 'valorar' is about recognizing the inherent worth or importance of something or someone, often a more abstract concept or relationship.

Related Translations

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