How to Say 'I'm Good' in Italian: Natural Answers to 'Come stai?'
Learn to answer 'Come stai?' in Italian with varied, natural replies like 'Sto bene' and 'Tutto bene', and return the question in casual conversation.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When an Italian friend asks 'Come stai?', replying with just 'Bene' can sound a bit flat. This lesson gives you the direct answer first: the most common way to say 'I am good' is 'Sto bene'. You will also learn other natural responses such as 'Tutto bene' and 'Abbastanza bene', how to add thanks, and how to ask the question back. We focus on casual, everyday Italian so you can sound friendly rather than formal.
By the end, you can…
- answer 'Come stai?' with 'Sto bene' and other natural wellbeing responses.
- return the question using 'E tu?' or 'E lei?' appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Sto bene.
I'm good. / I'm well.
stoh BEH-neh
The standard direct answer to 'Come stai?'. Use it in both casual and neutral situations.
Tutto bene.
All good. / Everything's fine.
TOOT-toh BEH-neh
A friendly, slightly more casual alternative. It literally means 'everything well' and works as a complete reply.
Abbastanza bene, grazie.
Pretty good, thanks.
ahb-bah-STAHN-tsah BEH-neh, GRAH-tsyeh
Use when things are okay but not perfect. 'Abbastanza' softens the answer and sounds honest without being negative.
Un po' stanca oggi.
A bit tired today. (said by a female speaker)
oon poh STAHN-kah OHD-jee
A natural way to say you are not at your best. Male speakers say 'Un po' stanco oggi'.
E tu?
And you? (informal)
eh TOO
Use with friends, family, and people your age. For formal situations, say 'E lei?' (eh LEH-ee).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Sto + adverb' or 'Tutto + bene'. 'Sto' comes from the verb 'stare', which is used for temporary states like health and mood. So 'Sto bene' means 'I am well', while 'Sto male' means 'I am unwell'. You can swap the adverb: 'Sto abbastanza bene' (I'm pretty good), 'Sto benissimo' (I'm great). 'Tutto bene' works as a fixed phrase and does not change with gender. To return the question, add 'E tu?' after your answer: 'Sto bene, grazie. E tu?'
When to use it
Use 'Sto bene' as your default answer with anyone. 'Tutto bene' is slightly more casual and common among friends. 'Abbastanza bene' is useful when you do not want to sound overly positive. If you are tired, 'Un po' stanca' or 'Un po' stanco' is honest and natural. Remember to match the adjective ending to the speaker's gender: a woman says 'stanca', a man says 'stanco'. In formal contexts, such as speaking to a shopkeeper or an older person, use 'E lei?' instead of 'E tu?' and consider 'Sto bene, grazie. E lei?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ciao! Come stai?
Hi! How are you?CHOW! KOH-meh STAI?Sto bene, grazie. E tu?
I'm good, thanks. And you?stoh BEH-neh, GRAH-tsyeh. eh TOO?Abbastanza bene, un po' stanca oggi.
Pretty good, a bit tired today.ahb-bah-STAHN-tsah BEH-neh, oon poh STAHN-kah OHD-jeeCapisco. Riposati!
I see. Get some rest!kah-PEES-koh. ree-POH-zah-teeA little context goes a long way
Italians often ask 'Come stai?' as a greeting, not a request for a detailed medical report. A short, positive answer is usually enough. 'Sto bene' and 'Tutto bene' are both standard; 'Tutto bene' can sound a little more relaxed. When you return the question, 'E tu?' is for informal settings. With strangers or in shops, 'E lei?' is safer. In some regions, especially the south, you may hear 'Come va?' instead of 'Come stai?'; the answers in this lesson still work.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Sono bene' to mean 'I am good'.
Try this instead: 'Sono bene' is not used for personal wellbeing in Italian. Use 'Sto bene' instead. 'Sono bene' sounds unnatural and is not a standard way to say 'I am good'. For example, say 'Sto bene, grazie' not 'Sono bene, grazie'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm good, thanks' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Sto bene, grazie.
'Sto bene' is the standard way to express personal wellbeing. 'Grazie' adds thanks. 'Tutto bene, grazie' is also acceptable in casual contexts.
2A friend asks 'Come stai?' and you want to say 'Pretty good, and you?' What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Abbastanza bene, e tu?
'Abbastanza bene' means 'pretty good'. 'E tu?' is the informal way to return the question. 'E lei?' would be formal.
3You are a woman and want to say 'A bit tired today.' What is the correct form?
Show a sample answer
Un po' stanca oggi.
The adjective 'stanca' agrees with a female speaker. A male speaker would say 'Un po' stanco oggi'. Both are correct depending on the speaker.
Start with 'Sto bene' or 'Tutto bene' to answer 'Come stai?'. Add 'grazie' and return the question with 'E tu?' for a natural, friendly exchange.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Italian into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr