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"Sí" is a form of "sí", an adverb which is often translated as "yes". "Está bien" is a form of "está bien", a phrase which is often translated as "OK". Learn more about the difference between "sí" and "está bien" below.
sí(
see
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. yes
¿Quieres ir al cine? - Sí, pero primero hay que comer.Do you want to go to the movies? - Yes, but let's eat first.
2. (emphatic)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Yo sí quiero acompañarlos a Disney.I do want to go with you to Disney World.
Ella no aprobó, pero yo sí.She didn't pass, but I did.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. himself (third person singular masculine)
Suele jugar ajedrez con sí mismo.He usually plays chess against himself.
b. herself (third person singular feminine)
¡Se envió una carta a sí misma!She sent a letter to herself!
c. itself (third person singular)
El hilo se está enredando en sí.The string is getting tangled up in itself.
e. yourself (second person singular formal)
Solo desea el bien para sí.You only wish good for yourself.
f. yourselves (second person plural formal)
¡Solo tienen que creer en sí mismos!You just have to believe in yourselves!
está bien(
ehs
-
tah
byehn
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
d. that's OK
¡Perdón! Te pegué sin querer. - Está bien; no te preocupes.Sorry! I hit you by accident. - That's OK; don't worry about it.
e. that's fine
Te preparé unas quesadillas con tortillas de maíz. - Está bien.I made you quesadillas with corn tortillas. - That's fine.
f. that's all right
No pude encontrar el libro que me pediste. - Está bien.I couldn't find the book you asked me for. - That's all right.
a. he's fine (masculine)
¿Sigue enfermo Luis? - No, ya está bien.Is Luis still sick? - No, he's fine now.
c. it's fine
¿Cómo te gustó la nueva estufa? - No me encanta, pero está bien.How do you like the new stove? - I don't love it, but it's fine.
3. (formal) (you're all right; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you're fine
Está bien, señor. Solo se resbaló en el hielo.You're fine, sir. You just slipped on the ice.
