Spanish advice phrases: puedes, es mejor, and trata de

Intermediate Spanish needs more than commands. In conversation, people suggest, recommend, and soften opinions. This lesson focuses on high-frequency advice frames: puedesyou can, es mejorit’s better, trata detry to, and a few close cousins.

Why advice language matters

Direct orders can sound sharp between adults. These frames keep the same meaning with a better social tone:

Apaga el teléfono.

Turn off the phone.

Puedes apagar el teléfono.

You can turn off the phone.

Es mejor apagar el teléfono.

It’s better to turn off the phone.

1) Puedes + infinitive

PuedesYou can offers possibility. It feels collaborative:

Puedes empezar con diez minutos.

You can start with ten minutes.

Puedes escribir una lista corta.

You can write a short list.

Puedes volver a intentarlo mañana.

You can try again tomorrow.

Puedes hacer una pausa ahora.

You can take a break now.

Pattern: puedesyou can + infinitive. For “you all,” use puedenyou all can; for “we,” podemoswe can — same infinitive after.

2) Es mejor + infinitive

Use this for a clear recommendation:

Es mejor descansar un poco.

It’s better to rest a bit.

Es mejor no mirar la pantalla antes de dormir.

It’s better not to look at the screen before sleeping.

Es mejor hacer una cosa a la vez.

It’s better to do one thing at a time.

Es mejor apagar las notificaciones.

It’s better to turn off the notifications.

Negative advice is easy: es mejor noit’s better not to + infinitive.

3) Trata de + infinitive

Trata deTry to means “try to.” It assumes effort, not perfection:

Trata de respirar antes de responder.

Try to breathe before answering.

Trata de concentrarte cinco minutos más.

Try to focus five more minutes.

Trata de no interrumpir.

Try to not interrupt.

Trata de dormir un poco más.

Try to sleep a little more.

Note concentrarteto focus (yourself): the reflexive infinitive keeps -teyourself attached after tratar detry to.

Useful extras

Conviene hacer pausas.

It’s advisable to take breaks.

Deberías dormir más.

You should sleep more.

Yo que tú, empezaría despacio.

If I were you, I’d start slowly.

Te recomiendo empezar despacio.

I recommend starting slowly.

Choose the right level

Offer an option → puedesyou can
Recommend a better choice → es mejorit’s better
Encourage effort → trata detry to
Give firmer advice → deberíasyou should (sparingly)

Practice saying the same tip three ways. Example for “take a short walk”:

Puedes dar un paseo corto.

You can take a short walk.

Es mejor dar un paseo corto.

It’s better to take a short walk.

Trata de dar un paseo corto.

Try to take a short walk.

Add a reason

Advice sounds more complete with a short porquebecause clause:

Es mejor apagar las notificaciones porque distraen.

It’s better to turn off the notifications because they distract.

Puedes empezar con diez minutos porque es más fácil mantener el hábito.

You can start with ten minutes because it’s easier to keep the habit.

Trata de respirar antes de responder porque te da tiempo.

Try to breathe before answering because it gives you time.

Common mistakes

Conjugating after the frame: puedes empiezaswrong → puedes empezaryou can start
Using only debesyou must / tienes queyou have to for every suggestion
Mixing English word order: “is better you rest” ❌ → es mejor descansarit’s better to rest ✅

Mini practice

Turn these direct lines into advice:

“Study two hours.” → use es mejorit’s better or puedesyou can.
“Don’t check messages.” → use trata de no…try not to….
“Take a break.” → use convieneit’s advisable or puedesyou can.
Write one tip for a friend using each frame once.
Add porque…because… to two of your tips.

By the end, you should be able to give the same tip three ways: option, recommendation, and try-to.