valer por mil
worth mil
Literally: to be worth for a thousand
Use it to tell someone they are incredibly valuable and better than a thousand others combined.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to praise someone who is exceptionally helpful or talented.
- Emphasizes that quality is far more important than quantity.
- Works for people, objects, or specific life-saving actions.
Meaning
This phrase describes something or someone that is so incredibly valuable, effective, or helpful that they outweigh a thousand others. It is the ultimate compliment for quality over quantity.
Key Examples
3 of 6Thanking a helpful friend
Obrigado por me ajudar com a mudança, você vale por mil!
Thanks for helping me move, you are worth a thousand!
Praising a coworker in a meeting
A sua dedicação neste projeto vale por mil.
Your dedication to this project is worth a thousand.
Texting a partner
Um abraço seu vale por mil.
One hug from you is worth a thousand.
Cultural Background
The number one thousand (mil) is traditionally used in Portuguese to represent an infinite or uncountable amount. This expression highlights the Mediterranean cultural trait of favoring intense, high-quality personal relationships over a large, shallow social circle.
The Power of One
Use this when one person does the work of a whole team. It’s the ultimate way to acknowledge someone's 'hustle'.
Money Matters
Don't use this for literal prices. If you say a shirt 'vale por mil', people will think it's amazing, not that it costs $1000.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to praise someone who is exceptionally helpful or talented.
- Emphasizes that quality is far more important than quantity.
- Works for people, objects, or specific life-saving actions.
What It Means
Imagine you have one friend who helps you move apartments. They work harder than ten people combined. That person vale por mil. It means one single unit has the power or value of a thousand. It is about exceptional quality. It is about being indispensable. You use it when something exceeds all expectations.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb phrase. The verb is valer (to be worth). You can apply it to people, objects, or even moments. If a coffee is amazing, it vale por mil. If a tip saves your life, it vale por mil. It is a very flexible expression. Just conjugate valer to match your subject. Most of the time, you will use it in the singular vale or plural valem.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed. It works perfectly when someone does you a huge favor. It is great for praising a coworker's efficiency. Use it when a small gesture feels massive. It is common in romantic contexts too. Telling a partner they vale por mil is a top-tier compliment. It is also perfect for reviewing a product that actually works.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for literal financial transactions. If a car costs a thousand euros, do not use this phrase. It is strictly for figurative, high-value praise. Avoid it in very cold, technical reports. It carries a bit of emotional weight. Also, do not use it if someone is just 'okay'. It is reserved for the 'best of the best'. Using it too often makes you sound like a hyperactive salesperson.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture places a high value on loyalty and personal effort. Being 'one of a thousand' is a common trope in Lusophone literature and music. It reflects a society that prizes deep connections over superficial ones. It is about the 'MVP' in a group. It likely stems from old military or labor contexts. One strong soldier or worker was worth a battalion. Today, it is the ultimate 'thank you' for a job well done.
Common Variations
You might hear valer por dois if the stakes are lower. Some people say valer ouro (to be worth gold) for similar situations. In some regions, you might hear valer um império. However, valer por mil remains the most dramatic and popular version. It is the gold standard for expressing extreme gratitude or admiration. It is punchy, easy to remember, and always puts a smile on someone's face.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very safe to use in most social settings. Just remember to conjugate the verb `valer` correctly (it is irregular in some tenses, like `eu valho`).
The Power of One
Use this when one person does the work of a whole team. It’s the ultimate way to acknowledge someone's 'hustle'.
Money Matters
Don't use this for literal prices. If you say a shirt 'vale por mil', people will think it's amazing, not that it costs $1000.
The 'Mil' Factor
Brazilians and Portuguese people love using 'mil' for exaggeration. 'Mil perdões' (1000 apologies) or 'mil vezes' (1000 times) are very common.
Examples
6Obrigado por me ajudar com a mudança, você vale por mil!
Thanks for helping me move, you are worth a thousand!
A classic way to show deep appreciation for a big favor.
A sua dedicação neste projeto vale por mil.
Your dedication to this project is worth a thousand.
Professional but warm praise for high performance.
Um abraço seu vale por mil.
One hug from you is worth a thousand.
Very sweet and romantic use of the idiom.
Este carro é velho, mas vale por mil!
This car is old, but it's worth a thousand!
Shows that reliability is more important than being new.
Essa coxinha vale por mil saladas.
This coxinha is worth a thousand salads.
Using the phrase to joke about how good junk food is.
Seus conselhos valem por mil lições.
Your advice is worth a thousand lessons.
Elevated tone to show respect for wisdom.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb 'valer' for the plural subject.
Essas dicas ___ por mil!
Since 'dicas' (tips) is plural, the verb 'valer' must be conjugated as 'valem'.
Complete the phrase to express that a person is very valuable.
Você é um amigo incrível, você ___ por mil.
The idiom uses the verb 'valer' (to be worth), not 'custar' (to cost) or 'pagar' (to pay).
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Valer por mil'
Used with best friends and family.
Mãe, você vale por mil!
Perfect for coworkers and acquaintances.
Esse suporte técnico vale por mil.
Acceptable in speeches or letters of thanks.
Sua contribuição vale por mil.
Where to use 'Valer por mil'
At Work
Praising the efficient intern.
With Friends
After someone helps you move house.
Romantic
Telling your partner they are special.
Product Review
Talking about a tool that never breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! If a multi-tool is better than a whole toolbox, you can say Essa ferramenta vale por mil.
It is neutral. If you have a good relationship with your boss, it is a very kind thing to say.
It's stronger. It implies that the thing is better than a huge quantity of alternatives.
You can, but it sounds a bit more exaggerated and less like a standard idiom than mil.
You use valem. For example: Eles valem por mil (They are worth a thousand).
Yes, it is widely understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Not really. It is almost exclusively a positive expression of high value.
The most common use is thanking someone for a significant favor or exceptional help.
Similar, but one in a million focuses on rarity, while vale por mil focuses on utility and power.
It is better to write the word mil out in full to keep the idiomatic feel.
Related Phrases
Vale ouro
Não tem preço
Vale a pena
Um em um milhão
Pau para toda obra
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