bien, ¿y tú?
/ˈbjen i ˈtu/word by word
The English phrase "good u" is translated into Spanish as bien, ¿y tú?
This phrase is used as an informal response to a greeting. It indicates that the speaker is doing well and simultaneously asks the listener how they are doing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb bien (well), the conjunction y (and) and the pronoun tú (you).
Which one should you use?
While bien, ¿y tú? is used for casual interactions, you should use bien, ¿y usted? when you wish to address someone with formal respect, such as a stranger or an elder.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of tú makes bien, ¿y tú? a casual response suitable for friends, family or peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
In written Spanish, the inverted question mark at the beginning of the second part of the phrase is mandatory.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbjen i ˈtu/
Did you know?
- The pronoun tú is a distant relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descend from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- The inverted question mark used in ¿y tú? was introduced by the Royal Spanish Academy in the 18th century to help readers identify the start of a question in long sentences.
- In certain parts of Latin America, a form called voseo replaces tú with vos. In these regions, the phrase becomes bien, ¿y vos?
Examples in context
- María, me encanta cómo te esfuerzas en tu trabajo y cómo siempre das lo mejor de ti. Eres increíble.María, I love how hard you work and how you always give your best. You're incredible.
- Hola, ¿cómo estás? Bien, ¿y tú?Hello, how are you? Well, and you?
- Todo bien, ¿y tú?Everything is good, and you?
- Muy bien, ¿y tú?Very well, and you?
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena meet at a cafe.
- Daniel¿Holas, Elena! ¿Cómo estás?Hi, Elena! How are you?
- ElenaBien, ¿y tú?Good, and you?
- DanielYo también estoy bien.I am also doing well.
- ElenaMe alegro mucho, Daniel.I am very glad, Daniel.
