estoy bien
/estoi bjen/from spelling rules
estoy bien is the Spanish phrase for "I am fine" or "I am well".
This phrase is used to express that you are feeling healthy or happy.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing your own state, use the first person estoy (I am). If you are asking someone else how they are, the phrase changes based on their relationship to you. Use estás bien for an informal "you are well" and está bien for a formal "he/she/it is well" or "you (formal) are well".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb ser by saying soy bien to express health or mood. Instead, you should use the verb estar as in estoy bien to describe these temporary states.
Did you know?
- In some regions, adding the word bien before an adjective, such as estoy bien cansado, changes the meaning to 'very' instead of 'well'.
- The word bien is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'bonus', both tracing back to the Proto-Italic '*dwenos'.
- In various Spanish-speaking cultures, saying estoy bien can be perceived as too abrupt or dismissive if not paired with other polite phrases.
Examples in context
- Estoy en buen estado de salud, gracias.I am in good health, thank you
- Estoy de maravilla.I am wonderful or I am great
- Estoy de lujo.I am great or I am fantastic
- Estoy muy bienI am very well
- Estoy bastante bien.I am quite well
- Estoy mejorando.I am getting better
- Estoy de buen/mal humor.I am in a good/bad mood
- Estoy en la gloria.I am in heaven
- Estoy de pelos.I am doing great
- Gracias, estoy bien hoy.Thanks, I am well today.
- No te preocupes, estoy bien.Don't worry, I am fine.
- ¡Sí! Estoy bien y muy feliz.Yes! I am well and very happy.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía meet at a café.
- MateoHola Sofía, ¿cómo estás?Hello Sofía, how are you?
- SofíaHola Mateo, estoy bien, ¿y tú?Hello Mateo, I am doing well, and you?
- MateoYo también estoy muy bien.I am also doing very well.
- SofíaQué bueno, me alegra mucho.That's great, I'm very glad.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
