¿Estás bien?
neutral, informal
To a girl you ask ¿Estás bien? The question has no gender in it, so it is the same one you would ask a boy. It is also called ¿Te pasa algo? and ¿Todo bien, amiga?
Meaning: question about someone's well-being (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| ¿Estás bien? | neutral, informal |
| ¿Te pasa algo? | casual |
| ¿Todo bien, amiga? | casual, to a female friend |
¿Te pasa algo? means "is something wrong?" and is a good follow up when she looks upset. Adding amiga or her name makes it warm.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
¿Estás bien? uses tú. For an older woman or a stranger, use ¿Está bien? with usted.
How does it change in a sentence?
Gender shows up only when you add a describing word. ¿Estás cansada? is "are you tired?" to a girl, with the feminine ending -a.
Did you know?
- Spanish uses estar in this question because it describes a state, not a lasting quality, which is why ¿Eres bien? would be wrong.
Examples in context
- ¿Estás bien?Are you okay?
- ¿Te pasa algo, Laura?Is something wrong, Laura?
- ¿Estás cansada?Are you tired?
Example conversation
Marta notices her friend Julia sitting alone and quiet at lunch in a school cafeteria.
- MartaJulia, ¿estás bien?Julia, are you okay?
- JuliaSí, solo estoy cansada.Yes, I am just tired.
- MartaSi necesitas algo, dime.If you need anything, tell me.
