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) |
These terms are used to express acknowledgement, acceptance or to indicate that something is all right or permitted.
Which one should you use?
While OK is used for general acceptance, certo specifically emphasizes that something is correct or accurate. The form tá is a highly colloquial shortening of está and is frequently used at the end of sentences as a tag question to seek confirmation, similar to saying 'right?' or 'ok?' in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For polite or formal situations, you can use Está bem to say 'It's fine' or Está certo to emphasize correctness. In informal settings, tá is a highly colloquial option and Tá bom is a common way to say 'It's good' or 'It's alright'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the informal phrase Tudo certo is often used to say 'Everything's alright' and the word Beleza is a popular, informal way to say 'fine'. In the Lisbon area of Portugal, Está fixe is an informal way to express that something is 'cool' or 'good'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase tudo bem can function as a standalone response to mean 'ok' or 'it's fine', and its literal meaning is 'everything is well'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɔˈkej/
Did you know?
- The word certo comes from the Latin certus, which originally meant 'sifted' or 'separated' before it evolved to mean 'certain'.
- The common phrase tudo bem can be used both as a question to ask 'how are you?' and as the answer 'I am ok' in the same conversation.
- Using tá as a tag question at the end of a sentence is so common in Brazil that it often functions as a rhythmic filler rather than a genuine request for confirmation.
Examples in context
- Eu não ligo, tá?I don't care, OK?This sentence shows how to use tá as a tag question at the end of a sentence.Tatoeba #2077723 by alexmarcelo, translation #2079046 by CK
- Esta cor está ok?Is this color OK?This sentence uses OK as an adjective to ask if a color is acceptable.Tatoeba #11002125 by omniglotman, translation #6049365 by CK
- Vamos de táxi, ok?Let's go by taxi, OK?This sentence uses OK to seek agreement for a suggestion.Tatoeba #1488562 by brauliobezerra, translation #1290698 by CK
- 177 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe is confirming a meeting time with Mariana.
- FelipeNos vemos às oito horas, OK?We'll see each other at eight o'clock, OK?
- MarianaOK, estarei lá.OK, I'll be there.
- FelipePerfeito, então até logo.Perfect, see you soon then.
- MarianaAté logo, Felipe!See you soon, Felipe!
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.
