Is everything okay?
in Spanish¿Todo bien?
/TOH-doh byehn/
This is the most common, all-purpose way to ask if everything is okay. It's concise and works in almost any situation, from checking on a friend who looks sad to asking a colleague if a project is on track.
A simple question like '¿Todo bien?' can show you care and offer support to someone who might be having a tough time.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Está todo bien?
/ehs-TAH TOH-doh byehn/
This is the full, grammatically complete version of "¿Todo bien?". It's extremely common and can be used in any context, from casual to formal, making it a very safe and versatile choice.
¿Estás bien?
/ehs-TAHS byehn/
A very direct and common way to check on a person's well-being, both physically and emotionally. It focuses specifically on the person you're talking to (the 'tú' form).
¿Está bien?
/ehs-TAH byehn/
This is the formal 'usted' version of "¿Estás bien?". It shows respectful concern for someone you don't address informally.
¿Qué pasa?
/keh PAH-sah/
While it can mean "What's up?", in the context of seeing someone who looks distressed, it clearly means "What's wrong?". It's a direct way to ask what the problem is.
¿Todo en orden?
/TOH-doh ehn OR-dehn/
This literally means "Everything in order?". It's less about personal feelings and more about the status of a situation.
¿Te pasa algo?
/teh PAH-sah AHL-go/
This translates to "Is something happening to you?" or "Is something the matter with you?". It's very personal and shows direct concern for an individual's emotional or physical state.
¿Le pasa algo?
/leh PAH-sah AHL-go/
This is the formal 'usted' version of "¿Te pasa algo?". It conveys respectful, personal concern.
¿Algún problema?
/ahl-GOON proh-BLEH-mah/
Means "Any problem?". Be careful with tone, as it can be a genuine offer of help or sound slightly confrontational, like you're challenging someone.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to ask 'Is everything okay?' depends on whether you're asking about a person or a situation, and your relationship with them.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Todo bien? | Neutral | A universal, safe, all-purpose check-in for people or situations. | It's almost never wrong, but might feel a bit brief in a very formal or serious situation. |
| ¿Estás bien? | Informal | Directly and personally checking on the well-being of a friend, peer, or family member. | Speaking to elders, strangers, or superiors where formal address is required. |
| ¿Todo en orden? | Neutral | Checking on the status of a task, project, or situation after a potential disruption. | You want to primarily ask about someone's personal feelings or emotions. |
| ¿Qué pasa? | Informal | Asking a friend what's wrong when it's obvious they are upset. | In formal settings or when you want to be less direct and more gentle. |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally easy. The 'b' in 'bien' is soft, almost like a 'v', and the 'ie' is a quick diphthong sound which can take a little practice.
The main grammar challenge is choosing between the informal 'tú' (estás) and formal 'usted' (está) forms. Forgetting this can lead to sounding rude or overly distant.
Knowing when to be direct ('¿Qué pasa?') versus general ('¿Todo bien?') requires some social awareness. Also, tone of voice can drastically change the meaning.
Key Challenges:
- Choosing the correct formality (tú vs. usted)
- Distinguishing between checking on a person vs. a situation
- Mastering a concerned, non-confrontational tone
💡Examples in Action
Te noto un poco callado. ¿Todo bien?
I notice you're a bit quiet. Is everything okay?
Disculpe, señor, se le cayó la cartera. ¿Está usted bien?
Excuse me, sir, you dropped your wallet. Are you okay?
Hubo un ruido fuerte en la cocina. ¿Está todo en orden?
There was a loud noise in the kitchen. Is everything in order?
Llevas toda la reunión con mala cara. ¿Qué pasa?
You've had a sour face the whole meeting. What's wrong?
🌍Cultural Context
Showing Concern is Normal
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it's common and considered polite to show concern for others, even strangers. Asking someone if they are okay is generally seen as a kind gesture, not an intrusion, especially if they appear to be in distress.
Tone of Voice is Everything
The meaning of phrases like "¿Qué pasa?" or "¿Algún problema?" can change dramatically with your tone. A soft, concerned tone means "What's wrong, can I help?", while a sharp, hard tone can mean "What's your problem?" or "What's going on here?!".
Person vs. Situation
Notice the difference between checking on a person versus a situation. "¿Estás bien?" is 100% about the person's state. "¿Todo en orden?" is about the state of a project, a room, or a plan. "¿Todo bien?" is a flexible phrase that can cover both.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation Error
Mistake: "Saying "¿Es todo okay?""
Correction: "¿Está todo bien?"
Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Asking "¿Eres bien?""
Correction: "¿Estás bien?"
Using the Wrong Formality
Mistake: "Asking an elderly stranger, "Oye, ¿estás bien?""
Correction: "Disculpe, ¿se encuentra bien?" or "¿Está usted bien?"
💡Pro Tips
Start General, Then Get Specific
If you're unsure of the situation, it's always safe to start with a general question like "¿Todo bien?". Based on their response, you can then ask a more direct question like "¿Qué te pasa?" if it seems appropriate.
Listen for the Response
A quick "Sí, todo bien" might mean 'I'm fine, let's move on'. A more hesitant "Sí, bueno..." might be an invitation to ask more. Pay attention to how they answer as much as what they say.
Non-Verbal Cues are Key
When you ask someone if they're okay, your question should be paired with concerned and open body language. A furrowed brow, a slight head tilt, and making eye contact shows your concern is genuine.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
"¿Qué onda?" or "¿Qué pasó?" can mean "What's up?" but, like "¿Qué pasa?", can also mean "What's wrong?" depending on context and tone. Mexicans frequently use diminutives to soften things, so you might hear "¿Todo bien, amiguito?" (Is everything okay, little friend?).
Spain
In Spain, "¿Qué pasa?" is extremely common and versatile. Adding casual terms like 'tío/tía' (dude/sis) is very frequent among friends. "¿Va todo bien?" is another common variation of "¿Está todo bien?"
Argentina
The use of 'che' is a hallmark of Argentinian Spanish to get someone's attention. "¿Todo tranquilo?" (Everything calm?) is another very common way to check in, reflecting a cultural value on tranquility.
Caribbean (e.g., Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic)
The language is very fast and contractions are common. You'll hear "¿To' bien?" for "¿Todo bien?". Spanglish is also prevalent, so hearing "¿Todo cool?" is not unusual in casual contexts.
📱Texting & Social Media
¿Todo bien?
Used in casual chats on WhatsApp, Messenger, and other platforms.
Oye no llegaste, tdo bn?
Hey you didn't arrive, everything ok?
💬What Comes Next?
They respond that everything is fine.
Sí, todo bien, gracias.
Yes, everything's fine, thanks.
Ah, qué bueno. Me alegro.
Oh, that's good. I'm glad.
They hint that something is wrong.
Más o menos.
So-so.
¿Quieres hablar de eso?
Do you want to talk about it?
They tell you not to worry.
No te preocupes, no es nada.
Don't worry, it's nothing.
Bueno, si necesitas algo, avísame.
Okay, if you need anything, let me know.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'Don't worry'
This is a very common and reassuring response after someone tells you something is wrong.
How to say 'What happened?'
If someone is not okay, this is the logical next question to ask to understand the situation.
How to say 'I'm sorry'
A crucial phrase for expressing sympathy once you find out what the problem is.
How to say 'Can I help you?'
After checking if someone is okay, offering help is a natural and kind next step.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Is everything okay?
Question 1 of 3
You see an elderly woman stumble on the sidewalk, but she doesn't fall. What is the most appropriate way to ask if she's okay?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between '¿Todo bien?' and '¿Estás bien?'
'¿Todo bien?' is a general question about the overall situation, which can include the person. '¿Estás bien?' is specifically and directly about the person's physical or emotional state. Think of '¿Todo bien?' as 'Everything okay?' and '¿Estás bien?' as 'Are YOU okay?'.
Can I just say '¿Okay?' like in English?
While many Spanish speakers will understand '¿Okay?' due to English influence, it's not the most natural or common way to ask. Using '¿Todo bien?' or '¿Estás bien?' will make you sound much more fluent and is always the better choice.
How do I answer if someone asks me '¿Todo bien?'
The simplest answer is 'Sí, todo bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?' (Yes, everything's fine, thanks. And you?). If you're not okay, you could say 'Más o menos' (So-so) or 'No muy bien, la verdad' (Not great, honestly).
Is '¿Qué pasa?' rude?
It depends entirely on the tone and context. Between friends with a concerned tone, it's a warm way of asking 'What's wrong?'. With a sharp tone toward a stranger, it can be very aggressive, like 'What's your problem?'. When in doubt, stick to '¿Todo bien?'.
How would I ask a group of people if they are okay?
You would use the plural form. For a group of friends (vosotros in Spain), you'd say '¿Estáis bien?'. For any group in Latin America or a formal group in Spain (ustedes), you'd say '¿Están bien?'. A simple '¿Todo bien por aquí?' (Everything okay over here?) also works universally for groups.
What's the difference between '¿Qué pasa?' and '¿Qué pasó?'
'¿Qué pasa?' means 'What's happening?' or 'What's wrong?' (present tense). '¿Qué pasó?' means 'What happened?' (past tense). You'd use '¿Qué pasa?' to ask about a current situation, and '¿Qué pasó?' to ask about something that just occurred, like after hearing a crash.
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