va tutto bene
The Italian phrase for everything is good is va tutto bene.
va tutto bene is a phrase used to indicate that a situation is satisfactory or that there are no problems. It is commonly used to reassure someone that a situation is under control or that no problems have arisen.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to everything goes well because it uses the verb andare (to go) instead of essere (to be).
Which one should you use?
While va tutto bene is a complete sentence meaning everything is going well, the shorter tutto bene is often used as a clipped response to the question Come va? (How is it going?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the third-person singular form of the verb andare (va) to agree with the singular subject tutto (everything).
Did you know?
- In many Italian regions, if you want to emphasize that everything is truly perfect, you might say va tutto a gonfie vele, which literally means 'everything goes with full sails'.
- If an Italian asks Tutto bene? as a greeting, a common response is to say Sì, tutto bene even if things are not perfect, as it serves as a social lubricant.
- The word tutto shares an ancestral root with the English word 'total', as both describe a complete or whole amount.
Examples in context
- Tutto bene! Grazie! E tu?Everything is good! Thanks! And you?
- Sì, va tutto bene! Che film vuoi vedere?Yes, everything is good! What movie do you want to see?
- Tranquillo, va tutto bene.Don't worry, everything is good.
- Non preoccuparti, va tutto bene qui.Don't worry, everything is good here.
- Sì, va tutto bene con il progetto.Yes, everything is good with the project.
Example conversation
Martina is checking on Francesco's new apartment.
- MartinaFrancesco, come va nella tua nuova casa?Francesco, how is it going in your new house?
- FrancescoSì, va tutto bene, grazie.Yes, everything is good, thanks.
- MartinaNon hai problemi con i vicini?You don't have problems with the neighbors?
- FrancescoNo, va tutto bene, sono molto tranquilli.No, everything is good, they are very quiet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bene, tutto, va, CC BY-SA 4.0.
