Ever Wondered How to Say “OK” in Spanish?
If you’ve ever traveled to Spain, Mexico, or Latin America, you’ve probably noticed that people don’t always say “OK” the same way. You might hear “vale,” “bueno,” “de acuerdo,” or even “okey” — and wonder, “Which one is right?”
Don’t worry — you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll break down 10 authentic ways to say “OK” in Spanish, when to use each one, and how they sound to native speakers. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to say in any situation — casual chats, business meetings, or texting with friends.
🇪🇸 1. “Vale” — The Spanish Classic (Used in Spain)
If you’ve spent time in Spain, you’ve definitely heard “vale.”
It’s the go-to way to say OK, fine, or alright — especially in casual conversations.
Example:
— ¿Nos vemos a las ocho?
— ¡Vale! (OK! See you at eight!)
Where It’s Used: Spain (especially Madrid and surrounding regions).
Tone: Friendly, casual, everyday.
🇲🇽 2. “Está bien” — The Universal, Safe Option
Literally meaning “It’s fine” or “It’s okay,” está bien is understood everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world.
Example:
— ¿Puedo venir más tarde?
— Está bien. (That’s OK.)
Where It’s Used: Universal (Spain, Mexico, Latin America).
Tone: Neutral and polite. Great for beginners.
🗣️ 3. “Bueno” — The Conversational Filler
Native speakers often use “bueno” at the beginning or end of sentences — just like “OK” or “well” in English.
Example:
— Bueno, vamos. (OK, let’s go.)
— Bueno, está bien. (Well, that’s fine.)
Where It’s Used: Common across Latin America.
Tone: Friendly, conversational.
💬 4. “De acuerdo” — The Formal “OK”
When you want to sound professional or respectful, say “de acuerdo.”
It means “agreed” or “OK, I agree.”
Example:
— Le enviaré el contrato mañana.
— De acuerdo. (OK, agreed.)
Where It’s Used: Everywhere — especially in formal situations or business settings.
Tone: Professional and polite.
🤙 5. “Okey” — Borrowed Straight from English
Yes — Spanish speakers also say “okey” (pronounced OH-kay). It’s used mostly in texting, pop culture, or among younger speakers.
Example:
— Te llamo más tarde.
— Okey, no hay problema. (OK, no problem.)
Where It’s Used: Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain.
Tone: Informal, modern, youthful.
😎 6. “Sale” — Mexican Slang for “OK”
In Mexico, you’ll often hear “¡Sale!” — a super common slang way to say OK, got it, or let’s do it.
Example:
— Vamos al cine esta noche.
— ¡Sale! (OK! Let’s go!)
Where It’s Used: Mexico.
Tone: Very casual and friendly.
👐 7. “Claro” — When You Mean “Of Course”
While not a direct translation of “OK,” “claro” is used when you want to say sure or of course.
Example:
— ¿Me ayudas con esto?
— ¡Claro! (OK! Sure!)
Where It’s Used: Universal.
Tone: Enthusiastic and positive.
🫱 8. “Perfecto” — When Everything’s Just Right
Use “perfecto” when you agree with something and want to sound upbeat.
Example:
— Nos vemos mañana a las diez.
— Perfecto. (OK, perfect.)
Where It’s Used: Everywhere.
Tone: Confident and agreeable.
📲 9. “Simón” — Street Slang in Mexico
Among young Mexicans, “Simón” (derived from sí) means OK, yeah, cool.
Example:
— ¿Vas a venir a la fiesta?
— Simón. (OK, yeah.)
Where It’s Used: Mexico, in informal or urban slang.
Tone: Slangy and playful.
🎯 10. “Hecho” — When You’ve Got a Deal
“Hecho” literally means done, but it’s often used to confirm an agreement — just like “OK, deal!”
Example:
— Te paso el informe esta tarde.
— Hecho. (OK, deal.)
Where It’s Used: Universal.
Tone: Confident and business-friendly.
📚 Summary Table: How to Say “OK” in Spanish
| Spanish Word/Phrase | Meaning | Region | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vale | OK, fine | Spain | Casual |
| Está bien | It’s fine | All regions | Neutral |
| Bueno | OK, well | Latin America | Casual |
| De acuerdo | Agreed | All regions | Formal |
| Okey | OK | Global | Informal |
| Sale | OK, let’s go | Mexico | Slang |
| Claro | Sure, of course | Global | Friendly |
| Perfecto | Perfect, OK | Global | Positive |
| Simón | Yeah, OK | Mexico | Slang |
| Hecho | Done, deal | Global | Professional |
✍️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Don’t use “vale” in Mexico — it sounds too European.
- ❌ Avoid “Simón” in formal settings.
- ✅ Use “de acuerdo” or “está bien” in emails and meetings.
- ✅ Use “sale” or “okey” with friends in casual chats.
🧩 FAQs
1. Can I just say “OK” in Spanish?
Yes! Most Spanish speakers understand “OK” because of its global use, but using native words sounds more natural.
2. What’s the most common way to say OK in Spain?
“Vale” — it’s everywhere!
3. What’s the most common way in Mexico?
“Sale” or “Está bien.”
4. How do you say OK in Spanish texting?
“Okey,” “sale,” or even just 👍 emoji are common.
5. What’s the formal way to say OK?
“De acuerdo” or “Está bien.”
6. Is “vale” rude in Latin America?
No, but it sounds uncommon — people might find it “too Spanish.”
7. Can I say “bueno” alone as OK?
Yes, especially to start a sentence: “Bueno, vamos.”
8. What’s a fun way to say OK?
Try “Simón” — cool and casual.
9. How do you pronounce “okey”?
Like English “OK,” but with a Spanish accent: OH-keh.
10. Which one should I learn first?
Start with “está bien” — it works everywhere and in any context.
💡 Conclusion: Saying “OK” in Spanish Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Learning how to say “OK” in Spanish opens doors to sounding natural — not robotic.
From “vale” in Spain to “sale” in Mexico, each phrase adds personality to your speech.
So next time someone asks, “¿Todo bien?”, you’ll know exactly what to say:
👉 “Está bien,” “vale,” or even “hecho.”
Each one says, “I got this.”
