okay
/oˈkei/masculine
In Spanish, the English phrase 'okay' can be expressed using okay. If unsure, use okay. Wiktionary also lists okey.
Meaning: OK (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| okay | /oˈkei/ /ouˈkei/ |
masculine |
| okey | /oˈkei/ | masculine |
The words okay and okey are used as interjections to mean 'OK'. These forms are also used as nouns to refer to an 'OK'. Additionally, many Spanish speakers use the English loanword 'Ok' informally.
Which one should you use?
The forms okay and okey are both masculine forms of the word.
Is it said differently in some regions?
While okay is common in Latin America, the word vale is a very common native alternative used to express agreement or acceptance and is the most common way to say 'OK' in Spain.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈkei/
When do people say it?
Native speakers often use vale instead of the English-derived okay to express agreement. In Latin America and Spain, the phrase Está bien, which literally means 'it's fine', is also frequently used to say 'okay'.
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the word sale is frequently used as a slang alternative to okay, deriving from the verb 'to leave' or 'to exit'.
- In some parts of Latin America, you might hear the word dale used to mean 'okay' or 'go ahead', particularly in the Southern Cone.
- In Spain, vale is often used as a filler word during conversations, similar to how English speakers use 'like' or 'you know', rather than just to signal agreement.
Examples in context
- ¿Nos vemos a las 8 en el café? Person B: Vale.Shall we meet at 8 in the café? Person B: Okay.
- Vamos a la playa mañana. Person B: De acuerdo.We're going to the beach tomorrow. Person B: Okay.
- Te llamaré más tarde. Person B: Está bien.I will call you later. Person B: Okay.
- ¿Está usted de acuerdo con las condiciones? Person B: Sí, estoy de acuerdo.Are you in agreement with the conditions? Person B: Yes, I agree.
- Completa el informe antes de las 5 p.m. Employee: Entendido.Complete the report by 5 p.m. Employee: Understood.
- ¿Podemos reunirnos a las 9 a. m.? Person B: Ok, perfecto.Can we meet at 9 a.m.? Person B: Okay, perfect.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are deciding where to eat lunch.
- Daniel¿Quieres ir al restaurante italiano?Do you want to go to the Italian restaurant?
- ElenaOkay, me parece una buena idea.Okay, it seems like a good idea to me.
- DanielPerfecto, vamos ahora mismo.Perfect, let's go right now.
- ElenaEspero que no haya mucha gente.I hope it isn't too crowded.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “okay” translations and entries okay, okey, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
