bien, ¿y tú?
/ˈbjen i ˈtu/word by word
The English phrase "good, what about you?" is translated into Spanish as bien, ¿y tú?
This phrase is a standard, polite way to reciprocate a greeting after answering a 'How are you?' question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bien (well), y (and) and tú (you, informal).
Which one should you use?
The use of tú makes this version informal, suitable for friends, family or peers. Use the form bien, ¿y usted? instead of bien, ¿y tú? when speaking to an elder, a stranger or someone in a position of authority.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbjen i ˈtu/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word tú is a distant relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descended from the same prehistoric ancestor word in the Proto-Indo-European language.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the response bien is often used as a social reflex regardless of the speaker's true mood. It functions more as a polite acknowledgment of the greeting than as a literal report on one's well-being.
- Depending on the region, some speakers may omit the bien entirely and simply answer todo bien, ¿y tú?, which literally means 'everything well'. This phrasing is frequently used to imply that life in general is going smoothly.
Examples in context
- Todo bien, ¿y tú?Everything is good, and you?
- Muy bien, ¿y tú?Very good, and you?
Example conversation
Two friends meeting at a cafe.
- JavierHola Elena, ¿cómo estás?Hi Elena, how are you?
- ElenaBien, ¿y tú?Good, what about you?
- JavierYo también estoy bien, gracias.I am also good, thanks.
- ElenaMe alegro mucho, Javier.I am very glad, Javier.
