¿estás bien?
The English phrase "are you fine?" is translated into Spanish as ¿estás bien?
You can also use ¿Está todo bien? to ask if everything is fine.
Which one should you use?
The form ¿estás bien? uses the informal tú conjugation, whereas ¿está bien? uses the formal usted conjugation. The form ¿está bien? can also be used to ask if a third person (he or she) is fine.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb tener (to have) to ask if someone is well. Instead, use the verb estar (to be) as seen in ¿estás bien?
When do people say it?
A common response to this question is Sí, estoy bien.
Did you know?
- The word bien is a distant relative of the English word 'bonus', as both trace their roots back to the Latin word bonus meaning 'good'.
- While ¿estás bien? asks about your health or mood, Spanish speakers use the word bien in the phrase está bien to give permission or agree to a plan, similar to the English 'okay'.
- While English speakers use 'fine' to mean 'okay', saying estoy bien in Spanish can sometimes sound slightly dismissive or cold in a conversation, similar to a clipped 'I am fine' in English.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, señor. ¿Está usted bien?Good morning, sir. Are you fine?
- Disculpe, señora. ¿Se encuentra bien?Excuse me, ma'am. Are you fine?
- Doctor, ¿está todo bien?Doctor, is everything fine?
- Hola, hermana. ¿Estás bien?Hi, sister. Are you fine?
- ¿Te encuentras bien, chico?Are you fine, buddy?
- ¿Estás bien? Te veo muy cansado.Are you fine? You look very tired.
- Te caíste, ¿estás bien?You fell, are you fine?
- Dime la verdad, ¿estás bien?Tell me the truth, are you fine?
Example conversation
Lucía sees Mateo looking upset in the park.
- LucíaMateo, ¿estás bien?Mateo, are you fine?
- MateoSí, solo estoy un poco triste.Yes, I'm just a little sad.
- Lucía¿Quieres hablar de ello?Do you want to talk about it?
- MateoNo, gracias, Lucía. Estoy bien.No, thanks, Lucía. I'm fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
