estou bem
/isˈto(w) ˈbẽj̃/word by word
In Portuguese, "I am good" is expressed as estou bem.
This phrase is a standard, polite response used when someone asks you Como você está? (How are you?). It indicates that you are feeling well or are in good health.
Which one should you use?
While estou bem describes your current state of health or mood, it is not used to say that you are a "good person". In Brazilian Portuguese, the verb estou is often shortened to tô, resulting in the informal tô bem.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In European Portuguese, you may use Estou bem or the form Tou bem. In Brazil, slang expressions like Estou suave are used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar (in the form estou) rather than ser (which would be sou) because it describes a temporary state of feeling or being.
How do you pronounce it?
/isˈto(w) ˈbẽj̃/
Did you know?
- In many Brazilian regions, if someone asks how you are, you might hear the reply Tudo joia, which literally translates to 'everything is a jewel'.
- The root of estou comes from the Latin verb 'stare', which means 'to stand', meaning you are essentially saying you 'stand well'.
- If a Portuguese speaker says estou bem while shaking their head slightly, it can sometimes be a polite way of downplaying a struggle rather than a literal statement of health.
Examples in context
- Tô de boa, e você?I'm good, and you?
- Eu me sinto bem, obrigado/a.I feel good, thank you.
- Estou bem, obrigado/a!I am good, thank you!
- Eu estou bem, obrigado.I am good, thank you.
- Não se preocupe, eu estou bem.Don't worry, I am good.
- Agora eu estou bem.Now I am good.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- FelipeOi Camila, como você está?Hi Camila, how are you?
- CamilaEu estou bem, Felipe. E você?I am good, Felipe. And you?
- FelipeEu também estou bem.I am also good.
- CamilaQue 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.
