A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm fine, thanks" in Spanish
The go-to Spanish phrase for politely responding that you are well. Use it in almost any situation.
Estoy bien, gracias
es-TOY bee-EN, GRAH-thee-ahsneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
This is your standard reply when someone asks how you are, like '¿Cómo estás?' or '¿Qué tal?'. It works whether you're meeting a friend or a shopkeeper.
Alternatives
- Bien, graciasSlightly more casual, omits the 'I am'.
- Todo bien, graciasEmphasizes that everything is good.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'estar' and 'ser'
Use 'estar' (estoy) for temporary states like being fine; 'ser' is for permanent qualities.
Pronouncing 'gracias' like 'grace'
The 'ci' sounds like 'th' in Spain or 's' in Latin America; never like 'ce'.
A small cultural note
While 'Estoy bien, gracias' is universal, in some regions, a more enthusiastic '¡Muy bien!' might be expected if you're truly feeling great.
Frequently asked
How to say I'm fine in Spanish when you're not?
You can say 'No estoy muy bien' (I'm not very well) or 'Más o menos' (So-so). These are polite ways to indicate you're not feeling great.
What's the difference between 'Estoy bien' and 'Soy bien'?
'Estoy bien' uses the verb 'estar' for a temporary state of being, which is correct for how you feel. 'Soy bien' is grammatically incorrect in this context.
How to respond if someone asks '¿Cómo estás?' and you want to ask them back?
After saying 'Estoy bien, gracias', you can add '¿Y tú?' (And you? - casual) or '¿Y usted?' (And you? - formal).
