valer por dez
worth dez
Littéralement: to be worth for ten
Use it to tell someone they are incredibly valuable and their effort is truly extraordinary.
En 15 secondes
- Used to praise someone who is exceptionally helpful or efficient.
- Compares one person's value to the power of ten people.
- Works for friends, family, colleagues, or even very useful tools.
Signification
It describes someone or something so efficient, talented, or helpful that they do the work of ten people. It is the ultimate compliment for a high-performer or a truly special person.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Thanking a friend for help
Obrigado por me ajudar com a mudança, você vale por dez!
Thanks for helping me move, you're worth ten people!
Praising a top employee
A Maria é nossa melhor programadora, ela vale por dez.
Maria is our best programmer; she is worth ten.
Texting a partner
Não sei o que faria sem você. Você vale por dez, amor!
I don't know what I'd do without you. You're worth ten, love!
Contexte culturel
This expression highlights the Brazilian cultural value of 'proatividade' (proactivity) and the 'multitasker' spirit. In a country where people often have to do a lot with very little, someone who 'worths ten' is a local hero. It reflects a society that deeply prizes social reliability and extreme helpfulness.
The 'Verb' Rule
Remember that 'valer' is an irregular verb. While 'vale' is easy, if you talk about yourself, it's 'eu valho por dez' (though that sounds a bit arrogant!).
Don't be Literal
If you are at a store and something costs 10 Reais, don't use this. Use 'custa dez'. This phrase is for metaphorical value, not price tags.
En 15 secondes
- Used to praise someone who is exceptionally helpful or efficient.
- Compares one person's value to the power of ten people.
- Works for friends, family, colleagues, or even very useful tools.
What It Means
Imagine one person doing the work of an entire squad. That is valer por dez. It is not just about quantity. It is about exceptional quality and impact. You use it when someone exceeds every possible expectation. It means they are indispensable and incredibly valuable.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb phrase. The subject is the person or thing being praised. You say ele vale por dez or ela vale por dez. You can even use it for objects. A good multi-tool vale por dez gadgets. It is a very flexible way to show deep appreciation.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend helps you move houses alone. Use it when a colleague saves a failing project. It is perfect for those 'superhero' moments in life. Tell your mom she vale por dez on her birthday. It works great in professional reviews for star employees. It also fits perfectly in casual texts after someone does you a huge favor.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for mediocre efforts. It loses its magic if you say it for everything. Avoid it in extremely stiff, legalistic documents. It is a bit too passionate for a court filing. Also, do not use it to describe a group. It is meant to highlight an individual's extraordinary value. If you say a group of ten vale por dez, you are just doing math!
Cultural Background
Brazilians love hyperbole to express warmth and gratitude. We are a very social culture that values 'the personal touch.' This phrase reflects the 'jeitinho'—the ability to find creative, high-impact solutions. It celebrates the individual who stands out in a crowd. It has been a staple in Portuguese for decades. It likely comes from the idea of military or labor strength.
Common Variations
You might hear valer por mil (worth a thousand) for extreme cases. Some people say valer ouro (worth gold) for a similar vibe. If someone is particularly brave, you might hear they valem por um exército. However, valer por dez remains the most common and natural version. It hits that sweet spot of being impressive but still believable.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very safe to use in almost any social situation. Just remember to conjugate the verb `valer` correctly according to the subject.
The 'Verb' Rule
Remember that 'valer' is an irregular verb. While 'vale' is easy, if you talk about yourself, it's 'eu valho por dez' (though that sounds a bit arrogant!).
Don't be Literal
If you are at a store and something costs 10 Reais, don't use this. Use 'custa dez'. This phrase is for metaphorical value, not price tags.
The Power of Ten
In Brazil, 'dez' is the top grade in school. Saying someone is 'nota dez' or 'vale por dez' connects to being a straight-A student.
Exemples
6Obrigado por me ajudar com a mudança, você vale por dez!
Thanks for helping me move, you're worth ten people!
A classic way to show deep gratitude for physical or emotional labor.
A Maria é nossa melhor programadora, ela vale por dez.
Maria is our best programmer; she is worth ten.
High praise in a professional setting for someone very productive.
Não sei o que faria sem você. Você vale por dez, amor!
I don't know what I'd do without you. You're worth ten, love!
Sweet and appreciative, emphasizing how much they support you.
Essa faca nova na cozinha vale por dez!
This new knife in the kitchen is worth ten!
Using the idiom for an object that is very effective.
Meu café da manhã hoje vale por dez, estou satisfeito!
My breakfast today is worth ten; I am full!
A funny way to say the meal was huge or very satisfying.
Sua dedicação a este projeto realmente vale por dez.
Your dedication to this project is truly worth ten.
A slightly more structured way to give a high-level compliment.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form of the verb 'valer' to complete the compliment.
Você me ajudou tanto hoje! Você ___ por dez.
Since you are talking to 'você' (singular), you use the third-person singular form 'vale'.
Complete the phrase with the correct number to make it a standard idiom.
Aquele funcionário é incrível, ele vale por ___.
The standard idiomatic expression uses the number 'dez' (ten).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Valer por dez'
Used with close friends and family.
Cara, você vale por dez!
Perfect for the workplace or daily interactions.
Este relatório vale por dez.
Acceptable in speeches or reviews, but slightly colorful.
Sua contribuição vale por dez.
When to say 'Valer por dez'
Workplace Hero
A colleague finishes a week's work in a day.
Moving Day
A friend carries the sofa by themselves.
Great Advice
Someone gives you life-changing wisdom.
Kitchen Gadget
A blender that also chops and whisks.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! You can use it for tools, books, or even a single cup of coffee that wakes you up. For example: Esse café vale por dez!
No, it is actually a very warm compliment. It shows you recognize their hard work and leadership. Just keep the tone respectful.
You can, but it sounds weird. The idiom is fixed with dez. Using other numbers makes it sound like a literal calculation rather than a phrase.
You would say valeu por dez. For example: A ajuda dele valeu por dez ontem (His help was worth ten yesterday).
It is more of an informal idiom than slang. You can use it in a professional email without looking unprofessional.
Valer ouro implies someone is precious and rare. Valer por dez implies they are incredibly capable and productive.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Portuguese-speaking world, including Portugal and Angola.
It's rare. You wouldn't usually say someone não vale por dez unless you are being very sarcastic.
It can be! It's a great way to tell a partner how much you appreciate their support in your life.
Usually, yes. It implies they are doing a lot of things at once or doing one big thing very well.
Expressions liées
Valer ouro
To be worth gold (very precious).
Nota dez
Top notch / Excellent (literally 'Grade 10').
Dar conta do recado
To handle the situation / To get the job done.
Pau para toda obra
A jack of all trades / Someone useful for everything.
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