bien entonces
/bjen entonθes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ok then" can be translated into Spanish as bien entonces.
This phrase is used to express agreement with a suggestion or to signal that a conversation is coming to an end. In many Spanish dialects, the particle pues is also used as a filler or particle meaning "then" or "well" to function in a similar way to the English "ok then".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bien entonces is composed of bien, meaning "well" or "good" and entonces, meaning "then".
Which one should you use?
While bien entonces is a standard way to express the idea, you may encounter other forms such as the colloquial Vale, entonces or the formal De acuerdo, entonces.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite or formal tone, use De acuerdo, entonces to mean "agreed, then". For casual, colloquial situations, Vale, entonces is a common way to say "okay, then".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal phrase vale, pues is a very common colloquial way to say "ok then" to signal agreement or the end of a topic.
Did you know?
- The word vale, used in Vale, entonces, originally comes from the Latin verb meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be healthy', which is why the Roman farewell 'vale' meant 'be well'.
- The term pues, used as a filler for 'then', can be stretched into a long 'puuuues' to signal hesitation or a reluctance to agree, changing the meaning from a simple 'ok then' to 'I guess so'.
- In many Latin American countries, dale is used instead of vale to say 'ok then'. While it literally means 'give it', it functions as a way to signal agreement or a go-ahead.
Examples in context
- ¿Podríamos reunirnos el próximo viernes a las 10 am? / Está bien entonces.Can we meet next Friday at 10 am? / Ok then.
- ¿Podría enviar el informe antes del viernes? / De acuerdo, entonces.Could you send the report before Friday? / Ok then.
- ¿Vamos al cine esta noche? / Vale, entonces.Shall we go to the cinema tonight? / Ok then.
- Me esperas en la esquina, ¿no? / Listo, entonces.You'll wait for me at the corner, right? / Ok then.
- Bien entonces, nos vemos mañana.Ok then, see you tomorrow.
- Bien entonces, lo haré de esa manera.Ok then, I will do it that way.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are finishing a phone call about meeting for coffee.
- Lucía¿Te parece bien si nos vemos a las cinco?Does it seem okay to you if we meet at five?
- MateoSí, me parece perfecto.Yes, that sounds perfect to me.
- LucíaBien entonces, te espero allí.Ok then, I will wait for you there.
- MateoHasta luego, Lucía.See you later, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
