Portuguese Phrase
Tá bom?
Meaning
Literally ‘Is it good?’, Tá bom? is the everyday way to ask if something is okay, acceptable or agreed upon. It can also be used to confirm that the listener understood a request.
When to use
Use it in informal settings—among friends, family, or coworkers you know well. It’s perfect for confirming plans, checking if a suggestion works, or ending a short instruction. Avoid it in formal emails or official meetings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tábom?
Tá = está
Tá is the informal spoken contraction of the verb estar (to be) in the third‑person singular present. It is used in casual conversation.
Bom as adjective
Bom means ‘good’ and agrees in gender and number with the implied subject (here neutral). It describes a temporary state, so estar is appropriate.
Question intonation
When spoken, the rising intonation of the final syllable signals a yes‑no question, even though the written form only adds a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Vamos nos encontrar na praça às três?
Shall we meet at the square at three?
Tá bom?
Okay?
✕Common Mistakes
É bom?
Use estar (Tá) for temporary states; ser (É) would ask if something is inherently good, not if it’s okay right now.
Tá bom.
Without the question mark or rising intonation it becomes a statement meaning ‘It’s fine.’ Add the question mark or raise your voice to keep it a question.
Tá bom, né?
Adding “né?” is common in some regions but can sound overly informal or redundant for beginners; stick to just “Tá bom?” until you’re comfortable with tag questions.
↔Alternatives
Tudo bem?
All good?
Está bem?
Is it okay?
Ok?
Okay?
Tudo certo?
All right?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, Tá bom? is a staple of everyday speech and can also function as a soft‑enerner before giving a command (e.g., “Tá bom, fecha a porta”). The tone matters: a friendly, rising tone sounds like a question, while a flat tone can be a statement meaning ‘It’s fine.’ Regional accents may pronounce the vowel as a more open /a/ in the South, but the phrase is understood nationwide.