estamos bien
/estamos bjen/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'we are good' is expressed as estamos bien.
estamos bien is used to say 'we are doing well' or 'we are fine'. It can also function as a polite way to decline an offer, similar to the English expression 'we are good' when meaning 'no thank you'.
Which one should you use?
Use estamos bien to express that you are doing well or are fine. If you want to say that you are good people (virtuous) or that you are skilled at something, you should use somos buenos instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you will frequently hear Estamos bien, gracias (We are good, thanks) or the slang expression Estamos al cien (We are 100%).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying somos bien.
Did you know?
- The word bien is a distant relative of the English word 'bonus'. Both trace their ancestry back to the Proto-Italic word *dwenos, which meant 'good'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying estamos bien when declining an offer is often accompanied by a slight wave of the hand or a head shake to soften the refusal.
- The word bien is so versatile that it can be used as a filler word or an intensifier, similar to how English speakers use 'well' or 'very' in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- Estamos bien, gracias por preguntar.We are good, thanks for asking.
- No te preocupes, estamos bien aquí.Don't worry, we are good here.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are checking in with a friend after a trip.
- MateoHola María, ¿cómo están ustedes?Hello María, how are you guys?
- MaríaHola Mateo, estamos bien, gracias.Hello Mateo, we are good, thanks.
- Mateo¿Tuvieron algún problema en el camino?Did you have any problems on the way?
- MaríaNo, todo salió perfecto.No, everything turned out perfect.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
