¿estás bien?
The English phrase "are you okay?" is translated into Spanish as ¿estás bien?
This phrase is used to ask if a person is feeling well or if they are safe following an accident or a problem.
Which one should you use?
The word bien is an adverb meaning "well". It is used with the verb estar to describe a state of being okay. This differs from bueno, which is an adjective meaning "good".
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ¿estás bien? uses the 'tú' conjugation, which is used for friends, family or people your own age. To show respect to a stranger, an elder or someone you wish to treat formally, use the form ¿está bien? If you are addressing a group of people, use the plural form ¿están bien?
When do people say it?
A common way to respond to this question is Sí, estoy bien (Yes, I am okay/well).
Did you know?
- While ¿estás bien? asks about a current state, Spanish speakers often use ¿estás bueno? in certain countries to ask if someone is physically attractive.
- In some Latin American countries, asking ¿estás bien? can be used as a rhetorical way to tell someone they are acting crazy or irrational.
- If a Spanish speaker responds to ¿estás bien? with estoy regular, they are not saying they are 'regularly' okay, but rather that they feel mediocre or just so-so.
Examples in context
- ¿Está usted bien después del accidente?Are you okay after the accident?
- Hola, ¿estás bien?Hey, are you okay?
- Estuviste muy callado durante la cena, ¿todo bien?You were very quiet during dinner, is everything okay?
- ¿Estás bien? Pareces cansado.Are you okay? You look tired.
- Te caíste, ¿estás bien?You fell, are you okay?
- No respondes, ¿estás bien?You aren't responding, are you okay?
Example conversation
Daniel trips on the sidewalk.
- Sofía¡Cuidado! ¿Estás bien?Careful! Are you okay?
- DanielSí, solo fue un susto.Yes, it was just a scare.
- SofíaNo te lastimaste nada, ¿estás bien?You didn't hurt anything, are you okay?
- DanielEstoy bien, gracias Sofía.I'm fine, thanks Sofía.
