estoy bien
/estoi bjen/from spelling rules
estoy bien is the Spanish phrase for "I am well".
This phrase is used to communicate that you are feeling healthy, doing well or that you are fine. You can use estoy bien to answer the question "How are you?" or to politely decline an offer, such as saying "No, thank you, I'm fine".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of estoy (I am, from the verb estar) and bien (well/good).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar rather than ser because it refers to a temporary state or condition of being.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying soy bien to mean "I am well". This is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Did you know?
- In some regions, saying estoy bien with a specific rising intonation can actually be used sarcastically to signal that the speaker is definitely not doing well.
- The word bien shares an ancient ancestor with the Latin word bonus, which is the root of the English word 'bonus'.
- Using estoy bien to decline an offer is common, but in some countries, adding a small hand gesture, such as a wave of the hand, is necessary to make the refusal feel polite.
Examples in context
- Amigo/a: ¿Cómo estás? Tú: Estoy bien, ¿y tú?Friend: How are you? You: I am fine, and you?
- Profesor/a: ¿Cómo estáis después del examen? Tú: Estoy bien, ¿y usted, profesor/a?Teacher: How are you all after the exam? You: I am fine, and you, teacher?
- Gracias, estoy bien.Thanks, I am well.
- No te preocupes, estoy bien.Don't worry, I am fine.
- Hoy estoy bien de salud.Today I am in good health.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía meet at a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Cómo estás, Sofía?How are you, Sofía?
- SofíaEstoy bien, ¿y tú?I am well, and you?
- AlejandroYo también estoy bien.I am also well.
- SofíaMe alegra mucho.I am very glad.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
