Portuguese Phrase
Você está bem hoje?
Meaning
Literally, “Are you well today?” It checks on someone’s health or mood for the current day. The phrase can be used both in casual conversation and in a slightly more caring, polite context.
When to use
Use this question when you meet a friend, colleague, or family member after a period of absence, or when you suspect they might be feeling unwell. It’s a gentle way to show concern without being intrusive.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêestábemhoje?
Você (you - formal/informal)
Second‑person singular pronoun used in most of Brazil; polite but also common among friends.
está (estar)
Third‑person singular present of the verb estar, used for temporary states, locations, or conditions.
bem (well/good)
An adverb meaning ‘well’; with estar it asks about a person’s current condition.
hoje (today)
Adverb of time indicating the present day.
Question mark
In Portuguese the question mark is placed only at the end of the sentence, unlike Spanish which uses opening and closing marks.
🗨In Conversation
Oi, Maria! Você está bem hoje?
Hey Maria! Are you well today?
Estou, obrigada. Só um pouco cansada.
I am, thanks. Just a little tired.
✕Common Mistakes
Você é bem hoje?
Do not use ‘é’ (ser) because the condition is temporary.
Você está bom hoje?
Avoid using ‘bom’ (adjective) here; ‘bem’ is the correct adverb.
Você está bem?
If you omit ‘hoje’, the meaning shifts to a general well‑being check.
↔Alternatives
Você está se sentindo bem hoje?
Are you feeling well today?
Tudo bem com você hoje?
Everything okay with you today?
Como você está hoje?
How are you today?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, asking about someone's well‑being is a common ice‑breaker, even among acquaintances. However, people may answer with a brief “Tudo bem” (Everything’s fine) regardless of their actual state, so follow‑up questions are often needed to show genuine interest. In more formal settings, you might replace ‘você’ with ‘o senhor/a senhora’ for added respect.