Tudo bem / tudo bom
TOO-doo BENG / TOO-doo BONG
“How are you? / All good.”
Brazilians use “Tudo bem?” or “Tudo bom?” when greeting someone, starting a chat, or checking that everything is okay. The same phrase can answer the question—“I’m fine”—and can also mean “okay” or “that’s fine” after a plan or apology.
EverydayAll Brazilalso: td bem, td bom, tdb, tudobemReply: Tudo bem, e você?
How Brazilians use it
“Oi, tudo bem?”
“Hi, how are you?”
Greeting someone at work, in a shop, or by message
“Tudo bem, e você?”
“I’m fine, and you?”
Replying to the same greeting
“A gente se encontra às oito, tudo bem?”
“We’ll meet at eight, okay?”
Checking that a plan works for the other person
“Tudo bem, eu espero.”
“That’s okay, I’ll wait.”
Accepting a small inconvenience
How to reply
- Tudo bem, e você?Safest all-purpose reply: “I’m fine, and you?”
- Tudo bom, e você?Common everyday reply, especially in casual greetings.
- Tudo, e você?Short, casual Brazilian reply meaning “all good, and you?”
- Mais ou menos.Use when you are only so-so; it may invite a follow-up question.
- Não muito bem.“Not very well.” Use when you are open to being more honest.
Similar expressions
- OiA simple “hi,” often followed by “tudo bem?”
- E aíMore casual, like “what’s up?”
- Como vai?More literal “how are you?” and a little less common in casual Brazil.
- Tudo de bom“All the best,” not a greeting question.
Common mistakes
- Don’t answer only “sim” to “Tudo bem?” in normal small talk; “Tudo bem, e você?” sounds much more natural.
- Don’t overthink “bem” versus “bom” in this greeting; Brazilians usually treat “Tudo bem?” and “Tudo bom?” as equivalent.
- Don’t confuse “tudo bem” with “tudo de bom.” “Tudo de bom!” means “all the best,” usually as a farewell wish.
Frequently asked questions
What does “tudo bem” mean in Portuguese?
“Tudo bem?” usually means “How are you?” or “Is everything okay?” As an answer, “tudo bem” means “I’m fine” or “all good.” In other contexts, it can also mean “okay” or “that’s fine.”
Is it “tudo bem” or “tudo bom”?
Both are normal in Brazil as greetings. “Tudo bem” is the safest all-purpose form, but you will hear “tudo bom” all the time in everyday conversation.
How do you respond to “tudo bem?”
A natural answer is “Tudo bem, e você?” meaning “I’m fine, and you?” In casual speech, Brazilians may shorten it to “Tudo, e você?”
What does “td bem” mean in a text message?
“Td bem” is an informal texting abbreviation for “tudo bem.” You may also see “td bom” or “tdb” in quick chats.