Inklingo

How to Say "to value" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to value” is “valorar” — use this when you want to express that you recognize the importance or significance of a person or thing.

English → Spanish

valorar

bah-loh-RAHRbaloˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use this when you want to express that you recognize the importance or significance of a person or thing.
A child carefully holding a small, glowing plant with both hands, looking at it with admiration.

Examples

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.)

apreciar

ah-preh-SYAHRapɾeˈsjaɾ

verbB1general
Use this when you mean to recognize the importance of something, often with a sense of gratitude or deep understanding.
A person holding a small, glowing heart in their hands with a look of gratitude.

Examples

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).

respetar

reh-speh-TARrespeˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Use this specifically when you mean to show deference or acknowledge the inherent worth of someone or something, often due to age, position, or rules.
A young child listening attentively and respectfully to an elderly woman speaking while sitting on a park bench.

Examples

Debes respetar a tus mayores, siempre tienen algo que enseñar.

You should respect your elders; they always have something to teach.

Ella respeta mucho la opinión de su padre.

She greatly respects her father's opinion.

Los niños aprenden a respetar el medio ambiente en la escuela.

Children learn to respect the environment in school.

Direct Object Use

In Spanish, the verb 'respetar' almost always takes a direct object (the person or thing being respected). If the object is a person, use the 'personal a': 'Respeto a mi jefe' (I respect my boss).

Confusing 'Respetar' and 'Mirar'

Mistake: “No debes mirar a los ancianos.”

Correction: No debes faltar el respeto a los ancianos. ('Mirar' means 'to look at'; 'respetar' is about showing regard.)

evaluar

eh-bah-loo-AHReβaluˈaɾ

verbB2general
Use this when the meaning is to estimate or assess the monetary worth or quality of something objectively.
A person using a magnifying glass to look closely at a sparkling gemstone.

Examples

Un experto evaluó las joyas de la corona.

An expert appraised the crown jewels.

La casa fue evaluada en doscientos mil euros.

The house was valued at two hundred thousand euros.

Passive Voice

When talking about money, we often use the 'passive' form: 'Fue evaluado' (It was appraised).

verbB1general
Use this when you are making an educated guess or approximation about quantity, duration, or cost, rather than assessing intrinsic value.

Examples

Estimo que el viaje durará unas cinco horas.

I estimate that the trip will last about five hours.

Valorar vs. Apreciar

Learners often confuse 'valorar' and 'apreciar' because both relate to recognizing importance. Remember that 'valorar' is a more general term for recognizing importance or worth, while 'apreciar' often carries a stronger sense of gratitude or deep understanding.

Related Translations

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