muy bien, gracias
/ˈmwi ˈbjen ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas/word by word
In Spanish, "very good thank you" is translated as muy bien, gracias.
This phrase is a polite response used to indicate that you are doing well when someone asks how you are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of muy (very), bien (well) and gracias (thank you).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this specific context, bien functions as an adverb meaning "well" rather than the adjective bueno (good).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmwi ˈbjen ˈɡɾaθjas/ [ˈɡɾa.θjas/ (5 syllables). The stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
After saying muy bien, gracias, it is polite to follow up with a question to ask how the other person is. In formal situations, use ¿Y usted? (And you?), while in informal situations with friends or peers, you can use ¿Y tú? (And you?).
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, muy bien is often a social reflex used to maintain harmony, regardless of how the speaker actually feels.
- The word muy is a linguistic relative of the English word 'multitude'. Both come from the Latin word multum, meaning 'much' or 'many'.
- In casual settings, a person might respond to ¿Cómo estás? with just bien and a slight nod. Omitting muy and gracias entirely is not considered rude in these relaxed environments.
Examples in context
- Muy bien, gracias.Very good, thank you.This example shows how to use muy bien, gracias.Tatoeba #464309 by lukaszpp, translation #464308 by lukaszpp
- Estoy muy bien, gracias.I am very good, thank you.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier meet at a coffee shop.
- Sofía¿Cómo estás, Javier?How are you, Javier?
- JavierMuy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú, Sofía?Very good, thank you. And you, Sofía?
- SofíaYo también estoy muy bien.I am also very well.
- JavierMe alegro mucho.I am very glad.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (muy, bien, gracias) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, gracias, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
