bien, ¿y tú?
/ˈbjen i ˈtu/word by word
The English phrase "good, how are you?" is translated into Spanish as bien, ¿y tú?
This phrase is used as a polite reciprocal response after someone has asked you how you are doing.
Which one should you use?
Use bien, ¿y usted? instead of bien, ¿y tú? when speaking to someone in a formal context, such as a boss, an elder or a stranger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase bien, ¿y tú? is a shortened version of estoy bien, ¿y tú? (I am well and you?).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbjen i ˈtu/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to answer bien even if you are feeling poorly. This is often a social reflex to maintain positivity rather than a literal report of your health.
- In some regions, particularly in Spain, people might respond to this greeting with regular, which doesn't mean 'regularly' but rather 'so-so'.
- The word tú is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou', making them linguistic cousins.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, ¿cómo está?Good morning, how are you?
- Buenas noches, ¿cómo se encuentra?Good evening, how are you?
- Todo bien, ¿y tú?Everything is good, and you?
- Muy bien, ¿y tú?Very well, and you?
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía meet at a cafe.
- Mateo¡Hola Sofía! ¿Cómo estás?Hello Sofía! How are you?
- SofíaBien, ¿y tú?Good, how are you?
- MateoMuy bien, gracias.Very well, thank you.
- SofíaQué bueno, Mateo.That's good, Mateo.
