Spanish Translation: ‘Better for Him to Go Now’It is better for him to go now in Spanish, eh, guys? That’s what we’re tackling today! Welcome, language learners and curious minds, to your go-to guide for mastering this super useful phrase in
español
. We all know how important it is to express things clearly, especially when you’re giving a gentle nudge or a firm suggestion. Maybe someone needs to leave a party, catch a bus, or just get a head start on a long journey. Whatever the reason, knowing how to confidently say,
“It is better for him to go now”
in Spanish is a total game-changer. This isn’t just about a direct word-for-word translation; it’s about understanding the nuances, the polite ways, and even the slightly more emphatic ways to get your message across. So, grab your virtual notebooks, because we’re about to dive deep into the fascinating world of Spanish grammar and common expressions, ensuring you not only learn
the
phrase but also
why
it’s said that way. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to tell someone it’s better for them to go, not just accurately, but naturally, like a native speaker. We’re going to break down each component of this phrase, from the different ways to say “it is better” to the perfect conjugation of “to go” and the subtle art of using “now.” Get ready to boost your conversational Spanish skills and impress your amigos! We’re committed to giving you high-quality content that provides real value, so let’s get started on this linguistic adventure. Knowing these Spanish phrases will undoubtedly improve your fluency and confidence when communicating with native speakers. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to phrase a timely departure for someone else, you’re in the absolute right place. Let’s make sure you’re fully equipped with the knowledge to handle this situation gracefully and effectively. This comprehensive guide is designed to empower you with several variations, allowing you to choose the most appropriate expression based on context, formality, and even the specific reason for the departure. Prepare to unlock a new level of communication in Spanish!## Unpacking “It is Better” in SpanishWhen you want to convey that
it is better
for someone to do something, especially to go now, Spanish offers a few fantastic options, and understanding them is key to sounding natural. The most direct and common translation for “it is better” is
es mejor
. This phrase is incredibly versatile and can be used in almost any context, from casual chats with friends to more formal discussions. However, Spanish being the rich language it is, also provides other nuanced ways to express this sentiment, such as
conviene
and
sería mejor
. Let’s break these down, shall we?First up,
es mejor
. This literally means “it is better.” It’s straightforward, universally understood, and a safe bet for most situations. When you use
es mejor
, you’re stating a fact or a strong opinion that a particular course of action is preferable. For instance, if you’re advising a friend, you might say,
“Es mejor que vayas ahora”
(It’s better that you go now). Notice that
que
often follows
es mejor
when introducing a subordinate clause with a verb. This structure almost always triggers the subjunctive mood in the following verb, which is a crucial point we’ll explore more when we talk about “to go.” It’s a statement of preference or advisability, making it highly relevant to our core phrase: it is better for him to go now. This phrase is foundational for many useful Spanish expressions.Next, we have
conviene
. This verb comes from
convenir
, which means “to be advisable,” “to be convenient,” or “to suit.” While
es mejor
is a more general “it is better,”
conviene
carries a slightly different shade, suggesting that something is
expedient
,
advantageous
, or
fitting
given the circumstances. It implies a sense of benefit or appropriateness. For example,
“Conviene que él se vaya temprano”
(It’s advisable/convenient that he leaves early). Using
conviene
can sometimes sound a bit more formal or considered than
es mejor
, but it’s perfectly natural in everyday conversation too, especially when the benefit of the action is clear. Think of it as saying, “it’s to his advantage to go now.” This verb is a powerful tool for expressing recommendations and suggestions in Spanish.Finally, there’s
sería mejor
. This is the conditional form of
es mejor
, translating to “it
would
be better.” This option introduces a softer, more hypothetical, or polite tone. If you want to make a suggestion without sounding too direct or assertive,
sería mejor
is your friend. It’s often used when you’re suggesting something that hasn’t happened yet, or when the situation is still flexible.
“Sería mejor que se fuera ahora”
(It would be better if he left now). This phrasing often pairs with the imperfect subjunctive, which again, we’ll delve into more deeply. It softens the advice, making it less of a command and more of a gentle recommendation. This is particularly useful in professional settings or when speaking to someone you don’t know well. Choosing between these options depends on the specific context and the level of formality or directness you want to convey. For our phrase,
“it is better for him to go now,”
es mejor
is the most common and direct, but
conviene
and
sería mejor
offer elegant alternatives to convey subtle differences in meaning. Always remember that the “que” and the subjunctive mood are often inseparable from these phrases when referring to another person’s action. Mastering these variations will significantly enhance your ability to communicate nuanced advice and suggestions in Spanish, making your speech sound much more natural and sophisticated. So, when you’re thinking about how to say it is better for him to go now in Spanish, consider these powerful linguistic tools.## Conjugating “To Go” for “Him” in SpanishAlright, guys, let’s talk about the action part of our phrase:
“to go.”
In Spanish, the verb for “to go” is
ir
. But it’s not as simple as just sticking
ir
into the sentence. When we say “it is better for
him
to go,” we’re not using the infinitive
ir
; instead, we need to conjugate it to reflect who is doing the going. And here’s where it gets a little tricky, but super interesting, because of the subjunctive mood. When using phrases like
es mejor que
(it is better that),
conviene que
(it is advisable that), or even
sería mejor que
(it would be better that), the verb that follows, referring to the action of a
different
subject, almost
always
goes into the
subjunctive mood
. This is a critical piece of Spanish grammar, and mastering it will really make your Spanish shine. For “him” (él), the conjugation of
ir
in the present subjunctive is
vaya
. This is pronounced /BAH-yah/. So, if we’re saying “it is better that
he goes
now,” we’ll use
vaya
. This is a fundamental component of our target phrase,
“it is better for him to go now” in Spanish.
Now, let’s break down why and how. The indicative mood (which you’re probably most familiar with) states facts or certainties. The subjunctive mood, however, expresses desires, doubts, emotions, recommendations, or things that are not yet certain. When you say “it is better that he goes,” you are expressing a recommendation or a desire for
him
to go, not stating that he
is
definitely going. Hence, the subjunctive.So, for
él
(he/him) or
usted
(formal you, which can often refer to “him” in a respectful context), the present subjunctive form of
ir
is
vaya
.The conjugation of
ir
in the present subjunctive is: *
yo vaya
(that I go) *
tú vayas
(that you go) *
él/ella/usted
vaya
(that he/she/you go) *
nosotros/as vayamos
(that we go) *
vosotros/as vayáis
(that you all go - informal, Spain) *
ellos/ellas/ustedes vayan
(that they/you all go)See how
vaya
pops out for
él/ella/usted
? That’s our guy!So, when you formulate the phrase, you’ll naturally link
es mejor que
with
vaya
. For example,
“Es mejor que él vaya ahora”
translates directly to “It is better that he goes now.” The
él
is often optional if the context makes it clear who you’re talking about, so
“Es mejor que vaya ahora”
is also very common and perfectly understood as “It is better that he/she/you (formal) go now.” Context is king, remember?But wait, there’s a variation! If you used
sería mejor
(it
would
be better), you would typically pair it with the
imperfect subjunctive
. For
ir
, the imperfect subjunctive for
él/ella/usted
is
fuera
or
fuese
(both are correct and interchangeable, though
fuera
is more common). This makes phrases like
“Sería mejor que se fuera ahora”
(It would be better if he left now). The
se
here is the reflexive pronoun, often used with verbs of movement to emphasize the subject’s action, or sometimes just as a stylistic choice. It often adds a nuance of “to leave” rather than just “to go.” It’s a subtle but important distinction. Understanding these conjugations and the subjunctive mood is absolutely vital for constructing grammatically correct and natural-sounding Spanish sentences, especially when expressing advice or preferences. When you’re thinking about how to say it is better for him to go now in Spanish, remember this key grammatical point!## Navigating “Now” and Time Expressions in SpanishLet’s move on to the temporal element of our phrase:
“now.”
Just like English has “now,” “right now,” or “at this moment,” Spanish offers a few key adverbs to express this immediate timing. The most common and direct translation for “now” is
ahora
. This is your go-to, all-purpose “now” and it’s super versatile. You can stick
ahora
at the end of a sentence, or sometimes even at the beginning, depending on what you want to emphasize. When you’re trying to communicate that it is better for him to go now,
ahora
is almost always a safe and effective choice. It signals immediacy and urgency, or simply the current moment. For example,
“Es mejor que él vaya
ahora
”
clearly states that the preferable time for his departure is
this very instant
. It’s unambiguous and widely used across all Spanish-speaking regions and levels of formality. This adverb is crucial for getting your timing right in Spanish.However, Spanish wouldn’t be Spanish without a few extra flavorful options, right? Another extremely common and important adverb that translates to “now” or “already” is
ya
. Oh,
ya
! This little word is a powerhouse and can be a bit tricky because its meaning heavily depends on context. While
ahora
strictly means “at this moment,”
ya
can mean “already,” “now,” “anymore,” “yet,” “finally,” or “at last.” In the context of our phrase, “it is better for him to go now,”
ya
often carries a sense of
immediacy due to a previous condition
or
urgency that something should happen
. For instance,
“Es mejor que él se vaya
ya
”
could imply “It’s better that he leaves
already
” or “It’s better that he leaves
right now
(because it’s getting late/he’s been here long enough).” The nuance here is that
ya
often suggests that the action is overdue, or that the moment has definitely arrived. It can add a slightly stronger, more emphatic push than just
ahora
. Think of it as conveying a sense of “it’s high time” or “it’s finally time.” If you’re giving a gentle but firm push,
ya
can be a great choice. It’s often used when the speaker feels the action should have happened or is expected to happen promptly.This brings us to a combination:
ahora mismo
. This literally translates to “right now” or “at this very moment.” If you want to add an extra layer of urgency and emphasis to
ahora
, then
ahora mismo
is your best bet. It leaves no room for doubt about the immediacy of the action. So,
“Es mejor que él vaya
ahora mismo
”
means “It is better that he goes
right this very second
.” This is a more emphatic way to stress the current moment.It’s also worth briefly mentioning
en este momento
(“at this moment”), which is a more formal or descriptive way of saying “now,” but generally less common in quick conversational phrases like our target one. It’s more about the specific juncture rather than the pressing immediacy.When you’re deciding which “now” to use for
“it is better for him to go now”
, consider the level of urgency and nuance you want to convey.
Ahora
is your solid, reliable option.
Ya
adds a layer of “already” or “it’s time” urgency, perhaps implying a slight delay or a definite turning point.
Ahora mismo
is for when you really mean
immediately
. Understanding these subtle differences will greatly enhance your ability to express precise timing in Spanish, making your communication much more effective and natural.## Assembling the Full Phrase: “It Is Better for Him to Go Now”Okay, amigos, we’ve broken down all the ingredients: “it is better,” “to go” for him, and “now.” Now it’s time to put them all together to form the complete phrase:
“It is better for him to go now” in Spanish.
This is where the magic happens, and you’ll see how beautifully these components intertwine, primarily leveraging the subjunctive mood. The key to remember is that when you have a phrase like
es mejor que
(it is better that) followed by a different subject’s action, the verb for that action (in this case,
ir
for “to go”)
must
be in the subjunctive. This is a fundamental rule in Spanish that signals desire, recommendation, or opinion rather than a statement of fact.The most common and direct way to say
“It is better for him to go now”
is:### _Es Mejor que Él Vaya Ahora_This phrase literally translates to “It is better that he goes now.” Let’s unpack why this is the preferred structure. We have
Es mejor
for “it is better.” Then, the connector
que
, which introduces the subordinate clause where the subjunctive verb resides. Next,
él
(he/him) is the subject of the action. While
él
is technically optional if the context is clear (meaning
“Es mejor que vaya ahora”
can often imply “he” or “she” or formal “you”), including it removes any ambiguity, especially when learning. Finally,
vaya
is the present subjunctive form of
ir
(to go) for
él/ella/usted
, and
ahora
is our trusty “now.” This construction is extremely common and natural in Spanish. Using
él
makes it explicit that you’re referring to a male individual. This ensures that the Spanish translation of “it is better for him to go now” is precise and clear. Consider these examples:*
“El tren sale pronto,
es mejor que él vaya ahora
.”
(The train leaves soon, it’s better that he goes now.)*
“Está cansado,
es mejor que él vaya ahora
a descansar.”
(He is tired, it’s better that he goes now to rest.)*
“La reunión termina en una hora, pero
es mejor que él vaya ahora
si tiene otro compromiso.”
(The meeting ends in an hour, but it’s better that he goes now if he has another commitment.)###
Conviene que Vaya Ahora
(or
Conviene que Él Vaya Ahora
)This option, using
conviene
, offers a slightly more formal or advisory tone, implying that it’s
convenient
or
advisable
for him to go. Remember,
conviene
means “it is advisable/convenient.” It also triggers the subjunctive. So,
“Conviene que (él) vaya ahora”
means “It is advisable that he goes now.” This is a fantastic alternative if you want to convey a sense of practicality or benefit. It’s a bit softer than a direct command but still clear. This phrasing is excellent for professional or semi-formal contexts. It emphasizes the wisdom behind the suggestion, making it a powerful Spanish phrase for recommendations.Examples:*
“Para evitar el tráfico,
conviene que vaya ahora
.”
(To avoid traffic, it’s advisable that he goes now.)*
“Si quiere llegar a tiempo,
conviene que él vaya ahora
.”
(If he wants to arrive on time, it’s advisable that he goes now.)### _Sería Mejor que Se Fuera Ahora_This is a more polite and hypothetical way of expressing the sentiment, using the conditional
sería mejor
(“it
would
be better”) and the imperfect subjunctive
fuera
(from
ir
). The
se
before
fuera
makes it more akin to “to leave” or “to go away,” adding a slight nuance of departure. This phrase is perfect for a softer suggestion or when the situation is not quite as urgent but still recommended. It translates to “It would be better if he left now.” This variant is particularly useful in situations where you want to be less direct or are offering a less definitive piece of advice, making it an excellent example of nuanced Spanish communication.Examples:*
“Si tuviera prisa,
sería mejor que se fuera ahora
.”
(If he were in a hurry, it would be better if he left now.)*
“Creo que para su salud,
sería mejor que se fuera ahora
.”
(I believe for his health, it would be better if he left now.)Each of these full phrases correctly conveys
“it is better for him to go now”
in Spanish, but they carry slightly different tones and implications. Choosing the right one depends entirely on the context and the message you wish to convey. Practice saying them out loud, and don’t be afraid to experiment with these variations to see which feels most natural to you!## Practical Scenarios and NuancesAlright, language explorers, let’s put these phrases into action and explore some
practical scenarios
where you might use “it is better for him to go now” in Spanish. Understanding the subtleties and choosing the right variant can make all the difference in how your message is received. We’ve covered the grammar, now let’s talk real-world application!### Advising a Friend or Family MemberWhen speaking to a friend or a close family member about someone you both know, you can often be a bit more direct. Here,
Es mejor que vaya ahora
(without the explicit
él
or
ella
) is perfectly natural and commonly used. The context usually makes it clear who “he” is.Let’s imagine your buddy, Marco, is at your place, and his brother needs to catch a flight. You might say to Marco:* _“Oye, el vuelo de tu hermano sale en dos horas.
Es mejor que vaya ahora
para evitar el tráfico.”(Hey, your brother’s flight leaves in two hours.
It’s better that he goes now
to avoid traffic.)Or perhaps your cousin, Ana, is still at a party, and her dad expects her home early:*
“Sabes que a tu papá no le gusta que llegue tarde.
Es mejor que Ana vaya ahora
.”
(You know your dad doesn’t like her arriving late.
It’s better that Ana goes now
.)### Making a Formal or Polite SuggestionSometimes, you need to be a little more
diplomatic
, especially in a work setting, with an acquaintance, or when you want to soften the suggestion. This is where
Conviene que (él) vaya ahora
or
Sería mejor que se fuera ahora
come in handy.Imagine you’re discussing a colleague, Ricardo, who has another important meeting:*
“Ricardo tiene una reunión clave a las tres.
Conviene que vaya ahora
a prepararse.”
(Ricardo has a key meeting at three.
It’s advisable that he goes now
to prepare.)Or if you’re discussing a client who seems a bit unwell, and you want to suggest they leave without being too blunt:*
“El cliente no parece sentirse bien.
Sería mejor que se fuera ahora
a descansar.”
(The client doesn’t seem to feel well.
It would be better if he left now
to rest.)The conditional
sería mejor
is excellent for this, as it presents the idea as a more gentle recommendation rather than a firm piece of advice.### Emphasizing UrgencyIf the situation demands
immediate
departure, you can lean on
ahora mismo
or the powerful
ya
. These add a stronger punch to your phrase.*
“¡Cuidado! La tormenta se acerca.
Es mejor que él vaya ahora mismo
.”
(Careful! The storm is approaching.
It’s better that he goes right now
.)*
“El autobús ya está en la parada.
Es mejor que se vaya ya
.”
(The bus is already at the stop.
It’s better that he leaves right now/already
.)In this last example,
ya
carries that sense of “it’s already time” or “it’s overdue.” This variation of “it is better for him to go now” in Spanish is perfect when every second counts.### Considering the “For Him” PartWhile
él
explicitly means “him,” as we discussed, context often dictates whether you need to include it. In many situations, if you’ve just mentioned a male person,
“Es mejor que vaya ahora”
will be clearly understood as referring to him. However, if there could be ambiguity (e.g., you’re talking about multiple people, or the subject hasn’t been established), adding
él
(or
ella
for “her”) ensures crystal clear communication.Always remember, mastering these nuances takes practice. Listen to native speakers, try using these phrases in your own conversations, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Each scenario presents an opportunity to refine your understanding of how to say
“it is better for him to go now”
in Spanish, making your communication more natural and effective. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be using these expressions like a pro!## ConclusionWell, guys, we’ve journeyed through the ins and outs of saying
“it is better for him to go now” in Spanish
, and hopefully, you’re feeling a whole lot more confident about it! We’ve covered the crucial elements: from the versatile
es mejor
and the advisory
conviene
to the polite
sería mejor
. You’ve learned the importance of the subjunctive mood, with
vaya
for direct suggestions and
fuera
for hypothetical ones, ensuring that “he goes” or “he left” is grammatically spot on. And let’s not forget our trusty time-tellers:
ahora
for general “now,”
ya
for that subtle “already” or “it’s time” urgency, and
ahora mismo
for when you really mean “right this very second!“Remember, language learning is all about practice and immersion. Don’t just read these Spanish phrases; try saying them out loud, incorporating them into your daily thoughts, or even practicing with a language partner. The more you use these variations of “it is better for him to go now” in Spanish, the more natural they’ll become. Understanding the nuances between
Es mejor que él vaya ahora
,
Conviene que vaya ahora
, and
Sería mejor que se fuera ahora
gives you a powerful toolkit for expressing advice, recommendations, and gentle nudges in Spanish with clarity and grace. You’re not just translating words; you’re learning to communicate intentions and emotions, which is what truly makes you a fluent speaker. So, keep that curiosity alive, keep exploring, and keep speaking!
¡Hasta la próxima!
(Until next time!) You’ve just equipped yourself with some truly valuable Spanish communication skills. So, next time someone needs that gentle push or firm recommendation, you’ll know exactly how to say it: it is better for him to go now, in perfect Spanish, of course!