me parece bien
/me paɾeθe bjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sounds good to me" can be translated into Spanish as me parece bien.
This expression is used to show agreement with a suggestion or a plan.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me parece bien literally translates to "it seems good to me".
Which one should you use?
While English speakers use the verb "to sound" to express this sentiment, Spanish speakers use the verb parecer (to seem) instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb parecer is used in the third person singular because the subject of the sentence is the suggestion or plan itself.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American regions, instead of me parece bien, people might simply say Dale to signal agreement, which literally means 'give it'.
- If you want to sound even more informal and enthusiastic when agreeing, you can say ¡Vale! in Spain, which is the ubiquitous way to say 'OK' or 'sounds good'.
- The word bien shares a root with the English word 'bonus'. Both derive from the Latin 'duenos' meaning 'good'.
Examples in context
- Me parece bien.Sounds good to me.
- Me parece bien el plan.The plan sounds good to me.
- Si quieres ir a comer ahora, me parece bien.If you want to go eat now, it sounds good to me.
- ¿Cenamos a las ocho? Me parece bien.Shall we have dinner at eight? That sounds good to me.
Example conversation
Javier and María are deciding on a movie to watch.
- Javier¿Vemos una película de acción?Shall we watch an action movie?
- MaríaSí, me parece bien la idea.Yes, the idea sounds good to me.
- JavierPerfecto, yo traigo las palomitas.Perfect, I will bring the popcorn.
- María¡Excelente, Javier!Excellent, Javier!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
