está bien
/esta bjen/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "it's okay" is translated as está bien.
The phrase está bien is used to indicate that a situation is acceptable or that there is no problem. You might also hear the alternative todo bien when checking if a situation is fine or when responding to the question "How are you?", which translates to "everything is okay" or "all good".
Which one should you use?
While está bien refers to a state of being okay, avoid using es bien. Because bien is an adverb, it cannot be used with the verb ser to mean "it is okay".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Vale is a common informal way to express that something is okay.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar in the third-person singular present tense. This specific verb is used because the phrase describes a state or condition rather than a permanent characteristic.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say es bien when trying to translate "it is okay". You must use the verb estar (está bien) to describe the acceptability of a situation.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word bien is a distant relative of the English word 'bonus'. Both trace back to the Proto-Italic word dwenos meaning 'good'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, está bien can be used sarcastically to express annoyance or resignation, similar to saying 'fine' in English when you are actually upset.
- While está bien is universal, people in Spain often use vale as a conversational filler to acknowledge they have understood a point, even if they aren't necessarily agreeing with it.
Examples in context
- Está bien si vas ahí y tomas asiento.It's okay if you go in there and take a seat.This sentence shows how to use está bien to grant permission for an action.Tatoeba #1220026 by marcelostockle, translation #582602 by FeuDRenais2
- Está bien mientras nadie se entere de eso.It's okay as long as no one finds out about it.This sentence uses está bien to express a condition for a situation being acceptable.Tatoeba #1836223 by marcelostockle, translation #1836156 by Spamster
- Está bien.It's okay.This sentence provides a simple way to use está bien as a standalone statement.Tatoeba #1372070 by marcelostockle, translation #2123589 by CK
- El informe que enviaste está bien.The report you sent is okay.
- No hay problema, podemos reprogramar la reunión.It's okay, we can reschedule the meeting.
- No pudimos conseguir los boletos, pero está bien, iremos otro día.We couldn't get the tickets, but it's okay, we'll go another day.
- Olvidé traer el postre, pero no importa, ya tenemos suficiente comida.I forgot to bring dessert, but it's okay, we have enough food.
- Tranquilo, el perro no te va a hacer daño.It's okay, the dog won't harm you.
- No pude llegar a tiempo, pero me dijeron que vale.I couldn't arrive on time, but they told me it's okay.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía apologizes to Daniel for arriving a few minutes late.
- LucíaPerdón por llegar tarde, Daniel.Sorry for arriving late, Daniel.
- DanielNo te preocupes, está bien.Don't worry, it's okay.
- Lucía¿Todavía podemos entrar al cine?Can we still go into the cinema?
- DanielSí, está bien, todavía no empieza.Yes, it's okay, it hasn't started yet.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
