va bene
/ˌva‿bˈbɛ.ne/
The Italian phrase for okay is va bene.
In informal settings, you may also encounter the English loanwords ok or okay, as well as the playful term okidoki used among younger people. If you want to say that everything is fine, you can use the informal phrase va tutto bene.
Meaning: OK (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase va bene literally means "it goes well", combining the third-person singular form of the verb *andare* (to go) with the adverb *bene* (well).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While va bene is the standard way to say okay, the English terms ok or okay are frequently used in informal, spoken Italian. The term okidoki is a playful, highly informal option used primarily by younger generations.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is not okay, place non before the phrase to form non va bene.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˌva‿bˈbɛ.ne/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- While va bene is common, Italians often use the word dai to mean 'come on' or 'okay' when trying to persuade someone to agree to a plan.
- In a conversation, Italians may accompany va bene with a slight shrug or a hand gesture to signal that they are accepting a situation even if it is not ideal.
- The word bene in the phrase shares an ancestor with the English word 'benefit', as both stem from the concept of something being good or well.
Examples in context
- Per te va bene?Is that okay with you?This sentence is useful for asking if something is okay with someone using va bene.Tatoeba #11633139 by Nuel, translation #4656887 by AqQoyriq_1
- Va bene se vuoi.It's okay if you want to.This sentence shows how to use va bene to express permission or agreement.Tatoeba #4193141 by Guybrush88, translation #4172178 by Hybrid
- Questo non va bene.This is not okay.This sentence demonstrates how to use va bene in the negative to say something is not okay.Tatoeba #2412035 by Guybrush88, translation #2077743 by Spamster
- Il tuo lavoro è eccellente. Va bene così.Your work is excellent. It's okay like this.
- La proposta che hai presentato è accettata. Va tutto bene.The proposal you submitted is approved. Everything is okay.
- Siamo d'accordo per l'orario della riunione? Sì, perfetto.Are we in agreement on the meeting time? Yes, perfect.
- Vuoi andare al cinema? Va bene!Do you want to go to the movies? Okay!
- Finalmente siamo arrivati! Ok, possiamo rilassarci.We finally arrived! Okay, we can relax.
- Domani ci vediamo al parco, okidoki?We'll meet at the park tomorrow, okay?
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are deciding what time to meet.
- SofiaCi vediamo alle otto?Shall we meet at eight?
- LorenzoSì, va bene.Yes, that's okay.
- SofiaAllora a dopo, Lorenzo!See you later then, Lorenzo!
- LorenzoA dopo, Sofia!See you later, Sofia!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry va bene, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bene, va, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
