valer por três
worth três
حرفيًا: to be worth for three
Use it to compliment someone who is exceptionally capable, efficient, or impactful in any situation.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to praise someone's extreme efficiency or high value.
- Means one person does the work of three.
- Highly positive and common in both work and social life.
المعنى
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that is incredibly efficient, strong, or valuable. It implies that one single person or thing does the work or has the impact of three people combined.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Praising a coworker
A Maria é incrível, ela vale por três naquela oficina.
Maria is incredible; she is worth three people in that workshop.
Talking about a strong coffee
Esse café está tão forte que vale por três!
This coffee is so strong it's worth three!
Texting a friend about a helpful person
Obrigado pela ajuda, cara. Você vale por três!
Thanks for the help, man. You're worth three!
خلفية ثقافية
The expression celebrates the 'batalhador' (struggler/hard worker) archetype common in Lusophone cultures. It highlights a social appreciation for those who can overcome lack of resources through sheer personal effort. It is deeply rooted in the idea of individual merit and exceptionalism.
The 'Power' Conjugation
If you want to brag about your own hard work, the 'I' form is 'Eu valo'. It sounds a bit irregular, so using it correctly makes you sound like a pro.
Don't overdo the number
While you can say 'vale por dez', saying 'vale por dois' can sometimes sound like a backhanded compliment, as if they are only slightly better than average.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to praise someone's extreme efficiency or high value.
- Means one person does the work of three.
- Highly positive and common in both work and social life.
What It Means
Imagine you have a friend who organizes a whole party alone. They cook, decorate, and DJ without breaking a sweat. In Portuguese, you’d say they vale por três. It means their value or effort is tripled. It is the ultimate compliment for efficiency. You are saying they are a powerhouse. It isn't just about quantity. It is about the sheer quality of their presence.
How To Use It
You use it just like the verb to be. Use valer and conjugate it to match the subject. If you are talking about yourself, say eu valo por três. If it’s a car or a tool, say vale por três. It usually follows a person's name or a pronoun. It’s a very flexible expression. You can use it for people, objects, or even experiences.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed. It works great in a professional setting for a star employee. Use it at home when your partner handles the kids and the chores. It’s perfect for sports when one player carries the whole team. You can also use it for a very strong cup of coffee. If that espresso wakes you up instantly, it vale por três!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for something negative or mediocre. It is strictly a high-praise idiom. Avoid using it in extremely stiff, legalistic documents. While it’s fine for a business meeting, it might feel too colorful for a contract. Also, don't use it if you are literally counting items. If you have three apples, they don't valer por três; they just are three apples. Use it only for metaphorical weight.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value the 'multitasker' or the 'hard worker' (o batalhador). This phrase reflects a culture that admires resilience and resourcefulness. Historically, it might relate to manual labor or military strength. If one soldier could hold a line against three, they were legendary. Today, it’s the 'MacGyver' spirit of the Lusophone world. It celebrates the person who gets things done against the odds.
Common Variations
You might hear valer por dez (worth ten) if someone is truly superhuman. Sometimes people say valer por mil for extreme emphasis. However, valer por três is the classic, balanced version. You can also say valer ouro (worth gold), but that’s more about character. Valer por três is specifically about capability and impact. It’s the 'Swiss Army Knife' of compliments.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral to informal. It is highly versatile but should be avoided in very formal writing like academic papers or legal contracts. Ensure you conjugate the verb `valer` correctly to match the subject.
The 'Power' Conjugation
If you want to brag about your own hard work, the 'I' form is 'Eu valo'. It sounds a bit irregular, so using it correctly makes you sound like a pro.
Don't overdo the number
While you can say 'vale por dez', saying 'vale por dois' can sometimes sound like a backhanded compliment, as if they are only slightly better than average.
The 'Jeitinho' Connection
This phrase is often linked to the 'Jeitinho Brasileiro'—the ability to find a way to solve problems creatively when you don't have enough people or tools.
أمثلة
6A Maria é incrível, ela vale por três naquela oficina.
Maria is incredible; she is worth three people in that workshop.
Highlights professional efficiency.
Esse café está tão forte que vale por três!
This coffee is so strong it's worth three!
Hyperbole used for an object's strength.
Obrigado pela ajuda, cara. Você vale por três!
Thanks for the help, man. You're worth three!
A warm, informal way to show gratitude.
Esse carrinho é pequeno, mas no barro ele vale por três.
This little car is small, but in the mud, it's worth three.
Shows the car performs better than expected.
No campo, você vale por três jogadores.
On the field, you are worth three players.
Used to boost confidence and acknowledge skill.
Hoje eu tive que valer por três para dar conta de tudo.
Today I had to be worth three to handle everything.
Reflects on one's own hard work.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form of the verb 'valer' to complete the sentence.
Ela é tão dedicada que ___ por três na empresa.
Since 'Ela' (She) is singular, the verb 'valer' must be conjugated as 'vale'.
Complete the idiom with the correct number.
Meu pai é um homem forte, ele vale por ___.
While other numbers can be used for hyperbole, 'três' is the standard idiomatic expression.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Spectrum of 'valer por três'
Used with friends and family.
Meu irmão vale por três!
Perfect for the office or daily interactions.
Este funcionário vale por três.
Acceptable in speeches but not in legal texts.
Sua contribuição vale por três.
Where to use 'valer por três'
At the gym
That trainer is a beast!
At the office
The dev who fixed everything.
Parenting
A mom handling triplets.
Kitchen
A knife that never gets dull.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, you can use it for objects too! For example, a very durable tool can valer por três.
Not at all. It is a high compliment. Saying Você vale por três to a colleague is a great way to recognize their effort.
Yes, vale por dez is common for extreme situations, but três is the most natural-sounding version.
Not really. If someone is useless, you wouldn't say they 'worth zero' in this specific idiomatic way; you'd use other expressions like não vale nada.
You say Nós valemos por três. It's a great way to show team spirit!
Yes, it is widely understood and used in both countries with the same meaning.
It can, but it's usually metaphorical. It refers to their quality and output, not necessarily their job titles.
Yes! A very filling meal can valer por três. It means you won't need to eat for a long time.
No, it's an idiom. It's informal/neutral but perfectly fine for most social and professional settings.
Using é por três instead of vale por três. Remember, the verb 'valer' (to be worth) is the key.
عبارات ذات صلة
Vale ouro
Worth gold / extremely precious.
Pau para toda obra
Someone who can do anything; a jack of all trades.
Dar conta do recado
To handle the situation/job successfully.
Não vale um tostão furado
Not worth a plugged nickel (worthless).
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