algo está bien
/alɡo esta bjen/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "something is ok" is algo está bien.
algo está bien is used to say that something is satisfactory or okay in a specific situation. It is used to describe a state of being rather than an inherent quality.
Which one should you use?
Use algo está bien to mean that something is "okay" or "satisfactory" in a particular context. If you want to say that something is inherently "good," use algo es bueno instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, such as Spain, you may hear the colloquialism vale vale, which adds the word twice to emphasize agreement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar (in the form está) because it describes a state or condition rather than an inherent quality.
Did you know?
- In Mexico and parts of Latin America, instead of está bien, people often use está padre to say something is 'cool' or 'ok' in a casual way.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, saying está bien with a specific falling intonation can actually be a polite way of saying 'no' or 'I disagree'.
- The word bien is a distant relative of the English word 'bonus', as both trace back to the Latin root duenos meaning 'good'.
Examples in context
- ¿Quedamos a las 6 pm en el parque? Person B: Vale, allí nos vemos.Shall we meet at 6 pm in the park? Person B: OK, see you there.
- ¿Quieres acompañarme al cine? Person B: Sí, está bien.Do you want to come with me to the movies? Person B: Yes, that's OK/it's fine.
- ¿Podemos vernos en una hora? Person B: ¡De acuerdo! Nos vemos entonces.Can we meet in an hour? Person B: Agreed! See you then.
- Mañana asistiremos a una reunión importante con el cliente. Person B: Entendido, estaré preparado.Tomorrow we will attend an important meeting with the client. Person B: Understood, I will be prepared.
- Todo está bien.Everything is ok.
- Si algo está bien, no lo toques.If something is okay, don't touch it.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are reviewing a project together.
- MateoSofía, ¿está todo mal en el informe?Sofía, is everything wrong in the report?
- SofíaNo, creo que algo está bien.No, I think something is ok.
- Mateo¿Cuál parte es la correcta?Which part is the correct one?
- SofíaLa introducción está perfecta.The introduction is perfect.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
