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ok

o-keioˈkei

OK, okay

Also: alright
InterjectionA1informal
General
A cartoon human hand giving a clear thumbs-up gesture against a bright blue background, symbolizing agreement.

📝 In Action

¿Vamos al cine? - ¡Ok!

A1

Should we go to the movies? - OK!

Necesito que termines esto para mañana. - Ok, lo haré.

A2

I need you to finish this by tomorrow. - Okay, I'll do it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vale (OK (especially in Spain))
  • de acuerdo (in agreement)
  • está bien (it's good / alright)

okay, alright

Also: fine
AdjectiveA2informal
A simplified, round-headed cartoon character standing upright and smiling contentedly, indicating they are fine or okay.

📝 In Action

¿Cómo estás? - Estoy ok.

A2

How are you? - I'm okay.

La comida no era increíble, pero estaba ok.

B1

The food wasn't incredible, but it was okay.

No te preocupes por el jarrón, está ok.

A2

Don't worry about the vase, it's okay.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar ok – to be okay
  • todo ok – everything's okay

the okay, approval

Also: green light
NounmB1informal
A simplified traffic signal showing only the green light illuminated, symbolizing the 'go-ahead' or approval.

📝 In Action

Necesito el ok del jefe para empezar el proyecto.

B1

I need the boss's okay to start the project.

Cuando me des el ok, compro los boletos.

B1

When you give me the okay, I'll buy the tickets.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • la aprobación (the approval)
  • el visto bueno (the go-ahead)
  • el permiso (the permission)

Common Collocations

  • dar el ok – to give the okay / to approve
  • recibir el ok – to get the okay / to receive approval

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ok

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ok' to mean 'approval' or 'permission'?

📚 More Resources

📚 Etymology▼

Borrowed directly from American English. Its origin is famously debated, but it's often thought to be an abbreviation of 'oll korrect,' a humorous misspelling of 'all correct' that was popular in the 1830s.

First recorded: Became widespread in Spanish in the 20th century due to global cultural influence, especially from movies and technology.

Cognates (Related words)

English: OK/okayFrench: okGerman: okayItalian: ok

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use 'ok' or a Spanish word like 'vale' or 'está bien'?

In casual conversation, 'ok' is perfectly fine and understood by everyone. However, using native Spanish words like 'vale' (in Spain) or 'está bien' (in Latin America) can make you sound a bit more natural. In more formal writing or speaking, it's always better to use a Spanish alternative.

How do you pronounce 'ok' in Spanish?

Most people pronounce it just like in English: 'o-kei'. You might occasionally hear some people, especially older speakers, pronounce it as 'o-ka', sounding out the letters in Spanish.