bien
well
A versatile word built around the core idea of "good" or "well"
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
benefit
something good
Bien means well and describes doing something in a good way. It's related to the English word benefit0, since a benefit is literally something good done for you0.
bien
well (properly)
When something is done in a good, proper, or correct way.
- Hablas bien el español = You speak Spanish well
- Haz las cosas bien = Do things properly
well, fine, good (health)
When someone is in a good state of health or feeling good.
- No me siento bien hoy = I don't feel well today
OK, alright, fine (agreement)
Used on its own to express agreement or acceptance — you're saying things are good.
- Quedamos a las ocho. — Bien = Let's meet at eight. — OK
very, quite, really (intensifier)
Used before an adjective or adverb to intensify it — like how English says "good and cold" to mean "really cold."
- Hace bien frío hoy = It's really cold today
- Llegó bien tarde a la reunión = He arrived quite late to the meeting
el bien
good
The abstract concept of good, as opposed to evil.
- El bien siempre triunfa sobre el mal = Good always triumphs over evil
good, benefit, welfare
A concrete benefit or good done for someone.
- Lo hizo por el bien de su familia = He did it for the good of his family
los bienes
goods, property, belongings, assets
The things that benefit you — your possessions, property, and assets.
- Dejó todos sus bienes a sus hijos = He left all his belongings to his children
- Bienes raíces = Real estate (literally: rooted goods)
bien ... bien
either...or, whether...or
Used to present two alternatives — both options are "good" or acceptable.
- Bien vienes hoy, bien vienes mañana = Either you come today or you come tomorrow