estou bem
/isˈto(w) ˈbẽj̃/word by word
The English phrase "I am alright" is translated into Portuguese as estou bem.
estou bem is used as a response to indicate that you are feeling healthy or doing well. You may also use Está tudo bem to say that "everything is alright", which works in both formal and informal settings.
Which one should you use?
While estou bem means "I am well", the informal expression Estou de boa is a popular way in Brazil to say "I'm good" or "I'm all right". Additionally, Estou tranquilo/a is used informally to mean "I'm calm" or "I'm relaxed".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite and formal tone, you can say Estou bem, obrigado/a. In this case, use obrigado if you are male and obrigada if you are female. In very casual speech, the word estou is often shortened to tô, resulting in tô bem.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression Estou de boa is a popular way to express being "all right" in Brazil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar (to be) rather than ser because it describes a temporary state of being or a current feeling.
How do you pronounce it?
/isˈto(w) ˈbẽj̃/
Did you know?
- In some regions of Brazil, estou bem is replaced by the slang estou suave, which literally means 'I am smooth'.
- The word estou comes from the Latin stō, which means 'I stand'.
- The informal Brazilian expression Estou de boa originally stems from the idea of being 'on the good side' of a situation or a wave, implying you are avoiding trouble.
Examples in context
- Eu estou bem, obrigado.I am alright, thank you.
- Não se preocupe, eu estou bem.Don't worry, I am alright.
- Agora eu estou bem.I am alright now.
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana meet at a cafe.
- LucasOi Juliana, você está bem?Hi Juliana, are you okay?
- JulianaOi Lucas, eu estou bem, e você?Hi Lucas, I am alright, and you?
- LucasEu também estou bem.I am also alright.
- JulianaQue bom!That's good!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (estou, bem) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bem, estou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
