estás bien
/estas bjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you're fine" can be translated into Spanish as estás bien.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they are in a good state of health or safety.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb estar (to be in a state) and the adverb bien (well/good).
Which one should you use?
Use estás bien for friends or peers, but switch to está bien for elders or strangers to maintain politeness.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying estás bueno to mean someone is healthy or in a good state, as this is a common slang expression meaning "you are attractive/sexy".
Did you know?
- In some Caribbean dialects, the phrase estás bien can be used ironically to mean 'you are out of your mind' or 'you are crazy' depending on the speaker's facial expression.
- The word bien is a distant relative of the English word 'bonus'. Both trace their roots back to a Proto-Indo-European concept of 'goodness' through the Latin 'bonus'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the question ¿estás bien? is often answered with bien even if the person is not, as a matter of social politeness.
Examples in context
- Tú estás bien.You're fine.This sentence demonstrates the use of estás bien.Tatoeba #6600063 by arh, translation #2202857 by CK
- No te preocupes, estás bien.Don't worry, you're fine.
- ¿Estás bien después de la caída?Are you fine after the fall?
Example conversation
Mateo tripped in the park and Lucía is checking on him.
- Lucía¿Mateo, estás bien?Mateo, are you fine?
- MateoSí, solo fue un pequeño tropiezo.Yes, it was just a small trip.
- LucíaMe alegra que estés bien.I am glad you're fine.
- MateoGracias, Lucía.Thanks, Lucía.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
