Italian Phrase
No, non sto bene.
Meaning
This phrase is a direct and honest way to communicate that you are not feeling good, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. It employs the verb 'stare', which is the standard verb in Italian for expressing health and temporary states of being.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks 'Come stai?' (How are you?) and you want to provide a truthful negative answer. It is suitable for both casual conversations with friends and more formal interactions with doctors or colleagues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nononstobene
Double Negation
In Italian, starting with 'No' and then using 'non' before the verb is the standard way to emphasize a negative response.
The Verb Stare
'Sto' is the first-person singular present indicative of 'stare'. It is specifically used for health, location, or temporary conditions.
🗨In Conversation
Ciao Marco, come va? Tutto a posto?
Hi Marco, how's it going? Everything okay?
No, non sto bene. Ho un po' di febbre.
No, I'm not well. I have a bit of a fever.
✕Common Mistakes
No, non sono bene.
In Italian, you must use 'stare' (sto) rather than 'essere' (sono) when talking about health or how you are doing.
No, non sto buono.
Use the adverb 'bene' (well) to describe your state, whereas 'buono' is an adjective meaning 'good' (e.g., a good person or good food).
↔Alternatives
Non mi sento bene.
I don't feel well.
Sto male.
I feel bad / I am sick.
Oggi non è giornata.
Today is not my day.
Cultural Tip
While many cultures use 'How are you?' as a generic greeting where 'Fine' is the only expected answer, Italians may give a more sincere response. If you tell an Italian friend 'non sto bene', they will likely show genuine concern and ask for more details about what is wrong.