How to Ask 'Are You Okay?' in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide to Checking In
Learn to ask others how they feel in Spanish with phrases like ¿Estás bien? and ¿Te sientes bien? Respond with empathy using common expressions.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you want to check in on someone in Spanish, the most direct way to ask 'Are you okay?' is ¿Estás bien? This question works in everyday situations, from a friend who looks tired to a coworker who seems stressed. In this lesson, you'll learn several natural ways to ask about someone's well-being, understand the difference between asking and stating feelings, and practice responding with empathy. We'll focus on Latin American Spanish, with notes on regional variation. By the end, you'll be able to start a caring conversation and react appropriately.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone if they are okay using common Spanish expressions.
- respond empathetically when someone shares how they feel.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Estás bien?
Are you okay?
es-TAHS bee-EN
A common wellbeing question for someone you address as tú, used in both Spain and Latin America. For usted, say ¿Está bien?
¿Te sientes bien?
Do you feel okay? / Are you feeling well?
te SYEN-tes bee-EN
Focuses more on physical or emotional feeling. Slightly more specific than ¿Estás bien? Often used when someone looks unwell.
¿Cómo estás?
How are you?
KOH-moh es-TAHS
A general greeting that can also express concern if said with a caring tone. Not specifically 'are you okay?' but often used to check in.
¿Qué te pasa?
What's wrong? / What's going on with you?
keh te PAH-sah
Used when you notice something is off. Can sound concerned or slightly confrontational depending on tone. Best with people you know well.
Estoy un poco estresado.
I'm a bit stressed. (said by a male speaker)
es-TOY oon POH-koh es-treh-SAH-doh
A common response to share a mild negative feeling. Female speakers say 'estresada'. You can also say 'Estoy un poco estresada' if you are female.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Ask ¿Estás bien? with informal tú, ¿Está bien? with formal usted, or ¿Están bien? with ustedes. These use estar bien to ask about wellbeing. ¿Te sientes bien? (tú) and ¿Se siente bien? (usted) ask how someone feels. Bien is an adverb; ¿Eres bien? is not the standard way to ask about wellbeing or character. ¿Eres bueno/buena? uses an adjective to ask about qualities. The choice between ser and estar is not simply permanent versus temporary: both soy feliz and estoy feliz can be grammatical with different perspectives.
When to use it
Use ¿Estás bien? when you notice someone seems upset, tired, or unwell. It's appropriate in most informal situations. If you want to be more formal, use ¿Está bien? with people you don't know well or to show respect. ¿Te sientes bien? is slightly more specific to physical or emotional feeling and can be used similarly. ¿Qué te pasa? is more direct and can sound like 'What's wrong with you?' so use it with care; it's common among close friends or family. To respond with empathy, you can say 'Lo siento' (I'm sorry) or '¿Quieres hablar?' (Do you want to talk?). For example, if someone says 'Estoy un poco estresado', you can reply 'Lo siento, ¿quieres hablar?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hola, ¿estás bien? Te ves un poco cansado.
Hi, are you okay? You look a bit tired.OH-lah, es-TAHS bee-EN? te ves oon POH-koh kan-SAH-dohSí, estoy un poco estresado por el trabajo.
Yes, I'm a bit stressed because of work.see, es-TOY oon POH-koh es-treh-SAH-doh por el trah-BAH-hohLo siento. ¿Quieres hablar de eso?
I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?loh SYEN-toh. KYEH-res ah-BLAR deh EH-sohGracias, pero estoy bien. Solo necesito un descanso.
Thanks, but I'm okay. I just need a break.GRAH-syahs, PEH-roh es-TOY bee-EN. SOH-loh neh-seh-SEE-toh oon des-KAN-sohA little context goes a long way
In Latin American Spanish, ¿Estás bien? is common and neutral. In Spain, you might also hear ¿Estás bien? but the pronunciation of 'z' and 'c' differs. When asking about feelings, tone matters: a warm tone shows concern, while a sharp tone can sound accusatory. It's also common to use '¿Todo bien?' (Everything okay?) as a casual check-in. Avoid using '¿Qué te pasa?' with strangers, as it can sound invasive.
One thing to watch for
Saying ¿Eres bien? for Are you okay?
Try this instead: Use ¿Estás bien? for wellbeing. Bien is an adverb, and ¿Eres bien? does not mean Are you a good person? For that meaning, use ¿Eres una buena persona? Avoid a blanket rule that all feelings require estar; expressions such as soy feliz are also valid.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a friend 'Are you okay?' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
¿Estás bien?
This is the most common informal way. You could also say '¿Te sientes bien?' which is also correct and slightly more specific to feelings.
2What is the formal way to ask 'Are you okay?' to someone you just met?
Show a sample answer
¿Está bien?
Using 'usted' form 'está' shows respect. '¿Estás bien?' would be too informal in this context.
3If someone says 'Estoy un poco estresado', what is an empathetic response?
Show a sample answer
Lo siento. ¿Quieres hablar?
This acknowledges their feeling and offers support. Other valid responses include '¿Necesitas ayuda?' or '¿Estás bien?' but 'Lo siento' shows empathy.
Ask ¿Estás bien? informally or ¿Está bien? with usted. Learn estar bien as the expression for wellbeing, then respond with empathy using Lo siento or ¿Quieres hablar?
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