Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| vale | /ˈbale/ |
| de acuerdo | /de aˈkweɾdo/ |
| bien | /ˈbjen/ |
| bueno | /ˈbweno/ |
| ya | /ˈʝa/ |
| OK | /ˌoˈkei/ /ˌouˈkei/ |
The various forms of 'ok' in Spanish are used for acknowledgement or acceptance. Use ya to express 'ok' specifically when you mean 'I see' or 'I understand' upon receiving new information. While bien can function as an acknowledgement, it is primarily used to describe the quality of an action or a state of being. Additionally, OK and visto bueno can refer to an endorsement or approval and bien can be used as an adjective meaning 'all right' or 'permitted'.
Which one should you use?
De acuerdo is more formal and implies a specific agreement to a proposal, whereas vale is more casual. Although bien can be used as an acknowledgement, it differs from other forms because its primary use is describing a state of being or quality.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal contexts, you can use vale, está perfecto to say something is 'perfect' or 'just right' or the spelling okey in some regions. The word bueno is informal and often serves as a filler or a way to transition in conversation, similar to starting a sentence with 'okay' or 'well'. In formal situations, de acuerdo is used to express consent or agreement and muy bien can be used to convey agreement meaning 'very well' or 'very good'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, vale is the most common way to say 'ok'. The spelling okey is used in informal contexts in some Spanish-speaking regions.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
vale is pronounced /ˈbale/.
Did you know?
- The word vale is actually a conjugation of the verb valer, meaning 'it is worth'.
- In Spain, vale is used so frequently in conversation that it often acts as a verbal punctuation mark to check if the listener is still paying attention.
- In Mexico and other Latin American countries, using vale can sound distinctly European or like an imitation of a Spaniard.
Examples in context
- OK, yo los pido.OK, I'll order them.This sentence demonstrates the use of OK.Tatoeba #4508158 by emanuel81, translation #4506755 by raggione
- ¿Vas a estar bien?Are you going to be OK?This sentence shows the use of bien to ask about a state of being.Tatoeba #1233187 by marcelostockle, translation #953102 by CK
- Todo va a ir bien.It's all going to be OK.This sentence shows the use of bien to describe a state of being.Tatoeba #1574820 by Shishir, translation #954068 by CK
- ¿Podría entregar el informe mañana? – Sí, está bien.Could you deliver the report tomorrow? – Yes, that's fine.
- ¿Podemos reunirnos a las 4 PM? – De acuerdo.Can we meet at 4 PM? – Agreed.
- ¿Quieres ir al cine esta noche? – ¡Vale!Do you want to go to the movies tonight? – Ok!
- ¿Podemos cambiar la hora de la reunión? – ¡Sí, está perfecto!Can we change the meeting time? – Yes, that's perfect!
- ¿Puedes traer el postre? – ¡Claro!Can you bring the dessert? – Of course!
- ¿Quedamos a las 8 PM? – ¡Vale, dale!Shall we meet at 8 PM? – Ok, let's do it!
- 197 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are making plans to meet.
- Javier¿Nos vemos en el café a las cinco?Shall we meet at the cafe at five?
- MaríaVale, allí estaré.OK, I will be there.
- JavierPerfecto, te espero allí.Perfect, I will wait for you there.
- MaríaHasta luego, Javier.See you later, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ok” translations and entries vale, de acuerdo, bien, bueno, ya, OK, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acuerdo, bien, de, de acuerdo, vale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
