What does it mean word for word?
estou is the I form of estar (to be) and bem means well.
Which one should you use?
To sound warmer you can say Estou muito bem, I am very well. In casual speech Tô bem. is common, and Tô tranquilo(a). means I am calm or relaxed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil people may answer Estou bem, valeu, using an informal word for thanks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses estar rather than ser, because it describes a temporary state or condition. Tô is a spoken contraction of Estou.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /isˈto(w) ˈbẽj̃/. The final sound of bem is nasal, and the stress falls on the second syllable of estou.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say sou bem, which is incorrect here. Use estou bem for how you feel right now.
When do people say it?
When someone asks Tudo bem?, is everything well, a natural reply is Tudo bem or Estou bem.
Did you know?
- The verb estou comes from the Latin word stō, which means 'to stand'.
- A person might say estou bem even when they are struggling as a form of social polite fiction to avoid burdening others.
- In Portuguese, the word bem can function as an intensifier, as seen in the phrase bem verdade meaning 'very true'.
Examples in context
- Se você e a sua irmã estão bem, então eu estou bem.If you and your sister are well, then I am well.Here eu estou bem closes a condition, if you and your sister are well, then I am well.Tatoeba #2631473 by alexmarcelo, translation #12080495 by FishlandicFishy
- Estou bem. Obrigado(a) pela preocupação!I am well. Thank you for the concern!
- Eu estou bem, obrigado.I am well, thank you.
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe meet at a coffee shop.
- CamilaOi Felipe, tudo bem com você?Hi Felipe, is everything well with you?
- FelipeOi Camila, eu estou bem, e você?Hi Camila, I am well, and you?
- CamilaEu também estou bem.I am also well.
- FelipeQue bom!That is 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
