Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Alright in Spanish: Está bien
Está bien · phrase · ehs-TAH bee-EN
The English word 'alright' most commonly translates to 'está bien' in Spanish, a versatile phrase used to express agreement, reassurance, or acceptance. Regional alternatives include 'vale' in Spain, 'dale' in Argentina, and the more formal 'de acuerdo' used across all regions.
ehs-TAH bee-EN
—¿Podemos vernos a las tres? —Está bien, te espero en la cafetería.
—Can we meet at three? —Alright, I'll wait for you at the café.
Alright in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for alright, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| está bien | alright | ehs-TAH bee-EN | Default, widely understood |
| vale | alright | Spain | |
| de acuerdo | alright | formal agreement | |
| dale | alright | Argentina and Uruguay |
How Native Speakers Use Está bien
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Giving consent
—Mamá, ¿puedo ir al cine con mis amigos? —Está bien, pero regresa antes de las diez.
—Mom, can I go to the movies with my friends? —Alright, but come back before ten.
Está bien signals permission or agreement from the speaker.
Checking on someone
Te caíste bastante fuerte, ¿estás bien? ¿Necesitas que llame a un médico?
You fell pretty hard—are you alright? Do you need me to call a doctor?
¿Estás bien? uses the second-person form to ask about someone's condition.
Spanish variant
—Nos vemos mañana a las ocho en punto. —Vale, ahí estaré sin falta.
—See you tomorrow at eight sharp. —Alright, I'll be there without fail.
Vale is the go-to casual agreement word throughout Spain.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Está bien
Mixing regions
Incorrect: Vale, nos vemos mañana. (said in Mexico)
Correct: Está bien, nos vemos mañana.
Vale is characteristic of Peninsular Spanish and may sound unnatural or be misunderstood in Mexico; está bien works universally.
Literal translation
Incorrect: Todo derecho, lo haré ahora.
Correct: Está bien, lo haré ahora.
Todo derecho is a nonsensical literal translation of 'all right'; Spanish expresses this concept through está bien or de acuerdo.
Lock in Alright Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Está bien used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using está bien in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear —¿Podemos vernos a las tres? —Está bien, te espero en la cafetería. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Alright in Spanish
- What is the most universal way to say alright in Spanish?
- Está bien is understood and accepted in every Spanish-speaking country, making it the safest choice for learners. While regional options like vale or dale add local flavor, está bien will never cause confusion regardless of where you are.
- Is vale only used in Spain?
- Vale is predominantly a Peninsular Spanish expression, functioning much like 'okay' or 'alright' in casual conversation. While Latin Americans will understand it due to exposure through Spanish media, using it outside of Spain may sound unusual or affected.
- Can está bien sound passive-aggressive in Spanish?
- Much like 'fine' in English, the tone and context of 'está bien' can convey reluctant acceptance or mild displeasure. If someone says it with a flat tone or a sigh, the listener may interpret it as grudging agreement rather than enthusiastic approval.