What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Tudo bem? literally translates to "Everything well?"
Which one should you use?
While Tudo bem? is a more common, casual greeting, Como você está? is a more direct way to ask about someone's state of being.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tudo bem? is used widely in both informal and semi-formal daily social interactions. For more formal situations, you can use Como está você? or Como vai o senhor/a senhora? (meaning "How are you, sir/ma'am?"). If you are addressing someone of higher status or authority, Como o/a senhor(a) está? is appropriate. To reciprocate a question formally, use E o/a senhor(a)? (meaning "And you?"). In informal settings, you might use Como você está? or the very informal E aí? (meaning "What's up?" or "How's it going?"). To reciprocate informally, use E você? (meaning "And you?").
When do people say it?
The most common response to Tudo bem? is to repeat the phrase back as a statement: Tudo bem.
Did you know?
- Depending on the region of Brazil, the greeting E aí? can be accompanied by a specific chin-up gesture to signal a casual 'What's up?'
- The word bem is a cognate of the English word 'benign', as both originate from the Latin 'bene' meaning 'well'.
- In Portugal, people are generally more reserved than in Brazil, so using Tudo bem? with a stranger may be seen as overly familiar compared to using Como está?
Examples in context
- Oi, tudo bem?Hi, how are you?
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel meet at a coffee shop.
- MarianaOi Gabriel, tudo bem?Hi Gabriel, how are you?
- GabrielTudo bem, Mariana. E você?Everything is fine, Mariana. And you?
- MarianaTudo bem também.Everything is fine too.
- GabrielQue bom!That's good!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tudo, bem) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bem, tudo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
