Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| OK | /ˌɔˈkej/ (Brazil) /ˌɔˈkɐj/ (Portugal) |
| tudo bem | /ˈtu.du ˈbẽj̃/ (Brazil) /ˈtu.du ˈbɐ̃j̃/ (Portugal) |
| tá | /ˈta/ (Brazil) /ˈta/ (Portugal) |
| certo | /ˈsɛʁ.tu/ (Brazil) /ˈsɛɾ.tu/ (São Paulo) |
The terms used to express acknowledgement or acceptance in Portuguese vary. OK can act as an adjective meaning all right or permitted. Certo is used as an acknowledgement meaning "correct" or "alright" to confirm understanding or agreement. Tudo bem is a more standard way to express that everything is fine or to agree to a situation.
Which one should you use?
While OK is used for simple acknowledgement, tudo bem is a more standard way to express that everything is fine or to agree to a situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use certo to express agreement meaning "Right". In casual or informal settings, you might use tá, which is a highly colloquial way to say "OK" or to seek confirmation at the end of a sentence. Other informal options include tá bom (translating to "It's good" or "Alright") and beleza (which translates to "Beauty" in English).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Northeast region of Brazil, people add meu rei or minha rainha after beleza. In São Paulo, locals often say Magina instead of Imagina to express "Ok" or "You're welcome".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tá is a common contraction of está used to mean "OK" or "is that alright?" in casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɔˈkej/
Did you know?
- The word certo originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *krey-, which meant 'to move' or 'to separate'.
Examples in context
- Eu não ligo, tá?I don't care, OK?This sentence uses the form tá to show how it is used to seek confirmation.Tatoeba #2077723 by alexmarcelo, translation #2079046 by CK
- Esta cor está ok?Is this color OK?This sentence uses the form OK to ask if a color is permitted or all right.Tatoeba #11002125 by omniglotman, translation #6049365 by CK
- Vamos de táxi, ok?Let's go by taxi, OK?This sentence uses the form OK to suggest a plan.Tatoeba #1488562 by brauliobezerra, translation #1290698 by CK
- 177 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are making plans for the weekend.
- CamilaVamos ao cinema às oito, OK?Let's go to the cinema at eight, OK?
- LucasOK, eu estarei lá.OK, I will be there.
- CamilaVocê pode me buscar?Can you pick me up?
- LucasSim, sem problemas.Yes, no problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ok” translations and entries OK, tudo bem, tá, certo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries OK, bem, certo, tudo, tá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
