How do you say ‘okay’ in Spanish?
If you know some Spanish already, you probably would reply to this question with the phrase:
“Está Bien” or simply “Bien”.
And you are 100% right!
This might work universally across all Spanish-speaking countries.
However, when you closely examine how people from specific countries talk, you’ll notice that they don’t always use these generic expressions to say ‘okay’ in Spanish.
Colombians for example have their unique style to say it.
And in this blog post, I want to walk you through all the Colombian ways I know to say Okay in Spanish.
By the way, I was born and raised in this beautiful country, so I might teach you a word or two that will help you understand when people say ‘Okay’ here.
¡Empecemos! (Let’s get started!)
1- ‘Okay’ Or I Better Say ‘Okey’
As the international language of the world, English has had a big impact in Latin America.
Colombians for example tend to often use the English:
‘Okay’
Of course, they say it with a strong Spanish accent.
This means that the pronunciation transforms into something like
‘Okey’
It sounds like:
“OH-KEH-EE”
Now, people in Juan Valdez’s home country add their own twist to this word when they pronounce each letter individually.
Like this:
O.K (Oh-KAH).
Example:
―Mañana te envío el reporte de ventas― (I’ll send you the sales report tomorrow).
―O.K (Oh-KAH), lo estaré esperando― (Okay, I’ll be waiting for it).
Example:
―Te espero temprano en casa para la cena― (I’ll wait for you early at home for dinner).
―O.K (Oh-KAH), voy a ser super punctual― (Okay, I’m going to be very punctual).
By the way, did you know that Juan Valdez never existed?
He was just a fictional character created by a coffee brand.
Bam!
I just ruined your coffee dreams 😅
2- Bueno
Leaving the English influence behind, let me introduce you to the most popular way to say ‘Okay’ in Spanish the Colombian way:
“Bueno”
This is widely used all around the country, and it might be mixed with the filler word “pues” very often, like this:
“Bueno Pues”
Example:
Context: watching movies when you have to do chores.
―¿Puedes limpiar tu cuarto por favor?― (can you clean up your room please?).
―Bueno, dejame terminar un episodio más y lo hago― (Okay, let me finish one more episode and I’ll do it).
Example:
― ¡Bueno pues! ¿Cuántas veces tengo que repetirlo? ¡Qué limpies tu cuarto por favor!― (Okay! How many times do I have to repeat myself? Clean up your room please!).
―Bueno, bueno, está bien, ya voy…― (Okay, okay, okay, I’m coming).
3- Listo
Listo means ‘ready’.
But Colombians may also use this word whenever they want to say Okay in Spanish.
Especially to close a deal or to agree on plans.
Now, it doesn’t mean they don’t use “Listo” as a “ready”, they do.
But keep in mind that context may tell you when it’s an ‘Okay’.
They also mix it with “pues” very frequently and with their unique ways of saying dude in Spanish.
You know something like “Mijo” or “Parcero”.
Example: ― Listo pues, mañana nos vemos―
Translation: ― Okay, see you tomorrow―
Example:
― ¿Qué tal si vas y compras unas cervezas? ― (What if you go and buy some beer?).
―¡Listo parcero!― (Okay, dude!).
Example:
― ¿Nos reunimos hoy a las 2pm? ― (do we meet today at 2pm?).
―¡Listo!― (Okay!).
Related: 19 Ways To Say Dude In Spanish Slang
4- Dale
In Colombian Spanish, “Dale” is often used to convey agreement, approval, or acceptance.
This term can be equivalent to saying “Okay” or “Sure” in English.
Colombians might use it to signify willingness, consent, or agreement in various situations.
Like when someone asks you a favor and you sincerely want to do it.
Example:
―¿Puedes ayudarme a lavar el carro?― (Can you help me wash the car?)
―¡Dale!― (Okay!)
Example:
―No sé donde está mi teléfono, ¿puedes llamarme para ver si suena?― (I don’t know where my phone is, can you call me to see if it sounds)
―Dale― (Okay!)
Related: 15 Ways To Say Please In Spanish
5- Hágale
“Hágale” is another Colombian-Spanish expression that can be used to indicate agreement or acceptance.
It carries a sense of encouragement or permission, encouraging someone to proceed or go ahead with a certain action.
It is often employed in a similar way to “Dale”.
Keep in mind that people may mix it with other filler expressions, just like I showed you with “Listo”.
Like this:
- “Hágale pues mijo”
- “Hágale pues”
By the way, you need to know that “hágale pues” is a very popular way to say okay in Spanish in Medellín city.
I would say this is the perfect phrase to put on a personalized t-shirt that represents the city 😅
It’s just super typical!
Example:
―¿Puedo tomar prestado tu carro?― (Can I borrow your car?)
―¡Hágale!― (Okay!)
Example:
―¿Puedo probar un poco de esa hamburguesa?― (Can I taste a little of that hamburger?)
―¡Hágale pues!― (Okay!)
Related: ¿Cómo es Medellín? Mira Los Peligros Que Corres En Esta Ciudad
6- Hágamosle
“Hágamosle” is a combination of “hagamos” (let’s do) and “le” (it).
In Colombian Spanish, this phrase can be used to suggest doing something together and expressing agreement or consent at the same time.
It’s like saying “Let’s do it” or “Let’s go for it.”
Something interesting to notice is that Colombians often mispronounce this word (me included) skipping the “s” in the word.
Like this:
“Hágamole”
Example:
―¿Quieres preparar la cena juntos?― (Do you want to prepare dinner together?)
―¡Hágamole!― (Let’s do it!)
Example:
―¿Jugamos video juegos?― (Do you want to play video games?)
―¡Hágamole!― (Let’s do it!)
7- Vale
“Vale” is a commonly used term in Colombian Spanish and many other Spanish-speaking regions like Spain, Mexico or Argentina.
It is equivalent to saying “Okay” or “Got it” in English.
It expresses agreement or understanding.
Example:
―Nos vemos a las 5 pm en el café― (See you at 5 pm at the café)
―Vale― (Okay)
Example:
―¿Podemos hablar?― (Can we talk?)
―Vale― (Okay)
8- Claro
“Claro” is another widely used term that means “clear” or “of course.”
In Colombian Spanish, it is often used to express agreement or affirmation just like you do it every time you say ‘Okay’.
People often mix “claro” with “que sí”, which is just a way to give more impact to your agreement.
Example:
―¿Puedo llamarte más tarde?― (Can I call you later?)
―Claro― (Of course)
Example:
―¿Podemos almorzar juntos hoy?― (Can we have lunch together today?)
―Claro que sí― (Of course)
9- De Una
“De una” is an expression used to convey immediacy or agreement.
It means “Of One”.
But of course, that’s not what Colombians mean when they use it.
They use this expression to say okay in Spanish.
It’s something similar to saying “Right away” or “Absolutely” in English.
I use this phrase very often whenever I want to say okay in Spanish, especially to indicate my willingness to do something.
Example:
―¿Quieres ir al cine ahora?― (wanna go to the movies now?)
―De una― (Okay!)
Example:
―¿Vamos por un café?― (Wanna go grab some coffee?)
―De una― (Okay! Or Absolutely!)
10- De One
This is a colloquial expression Colombians say as a way to mean ‘Okay’ in Spanish.
People use it just like “De Una”.
Now, See how “Una” can be translated as “One”?
That’s because “De One” is kind of an effort to transform the previous phrase into Spanglish.
Yes, it makes no sense in English, but people in this country interpreted it as “Okay!”
Example:
―¿Quieres jugar tenis?― (Wanna play tennis?)
―De one― (Okay!)
11- De mero one
And if you thought “De One” was a little strange, let me introduce you to his big brother:
“De mero one”.
Again, it works as ‘okay’ in Spanish.
But the only difference here is that this phrase uses the word “mero”, which is something like the “big one”.
However, there’s no difference in the meaning of this phrase in regards to “De one”.
Example:
―¿Vamos pa’ la playa?― (Wanna go to the beach?)
―De mero one― (Sure!)
Wrapping Up
And there you go!
You have just learned 11 different ways to say Okay in Spanish the Colombian way.
It’ll be easier now to identify these expressions when you hear native speakers using them.
As a summary, this is the complete list of expressions you learned today:
- Okay
- Bueno
- Listo
- Dale
- Hágale
- Hágamosle
- Vale
- Claro
- De una
- De one
- De mero one
In regards to how formal or informal you sound with these phrases, just know that Colombians use all these phrases for both contexts except for the last two.
“De one” or “De mero one” are the only ones that I advise you to use only with friends.
And if you’re a little hesitant on to what use to sound more natural, just use the ones I use more often
- Bueno
- Listo
- Dale
Finally, here’s a question for you:
Is there any other Colombian expression to say okay in Spanish that I didn’t cover in this post?
Let me know in the comments below:
