valerse (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

"Valerse" is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

/baˈleɾse/

Translation Options into English

• To take advantage of
• To make use of
• To rely on

Meaning and Usage

"Valerse" means to make use of something or someone for one's advantage, to rely on one's own abilities, or to take advantage of a situation. In Spanish, it can often denote both a physical act of utilizing resources or a more abstract sense of depending on oneself or others.

The verb is commonly used in both oral speech and written contexts. Its frequency of use can vary depending on the context, but it is a well-known and understood verb among Spanish speakers.

Example Sentences

1. "Debes valerte de tus habilidades para conseguir ese trabajo."
   "You should take advantage of your skills to get that job."

2. "Ella siempre se vale de su inteligencia para resolver problemas."
   "She always relies on her intelligence to solve problems."

3. "A veces, es necesario valerse de amigos en momentos difíciles."
   "Sometimes, it is necessary to rely on friends in difficult times."

Idiomatic Expressions

"Valerse" is often included in various idiomatic expressions, which emphasize its meaning of utilizing, depending, or taking advantage of something or someone.

Idiomatic Expressions with Example Sentences

1. "Valerse de la situación"
   "Supiste valerte de la situación y conseguir lo que querías."
   "You knew how to take advantage of the situation and get what you wanted."

2. "Valerse de sus recursos"
   "Es importante valerse de sus recursos para lograr el éxito."
   "It is important to make use of your resources to achieve success."

3. "Valerse por sí mismo"
   "Después de la universidad, decidió valerse por sí mismo y vivir solo."
   "After university, he decided to rely on himself and live alone."

4. "No vale la pena"
   "No vale la pena valerse de mentiras para obtener lo que deseas."
   "It is not worth it to rely on lies to get what you want."

5. "Valerse de alguien"
   "No deberías valerte de tus amigos solo cuando los necesitas."
   "You shouldn't rely on your friends only when you need them."

Etymology

The verb "valerse" comes from the Latin word "valere," which means "to be strong or to be worth." The prefix "se" indicates reflexivity, meaning that the action is returned to the subject.

Synonyms

• Hacer uso de
• Aprovechar
• Depender de

Antonyms

• Negarse
• Rechazar
• Ignorar

This comprehensive overview should provide useful insights into the Spanish verb "valerse" and its various applications and meanings.