Olá, queridos alunos! (Hello, dear students!)
“Tudo bem?” (How are you?) or “Tudo bom?” (How are you?)
Do you know when and how to use the words “bem” and “bom”?
In a few words, both forms “tudo bem” and “tudo bom” are used, but the terms “bem” and “bom” are not synonyms. The word “bem” is an adverb, while the word “bom” is an adjective, but what does that mean?
Don’t worry! In this lesson, you’re going to learn how to use the words “bem” and “bom” in several different contexts.
👉 This lesson comes with a free worksheet with the summary of the lesson, many examples in sentences, and exercises for you to practice. Click here to download your worksheet.
How to use the word “bem”
The word “bem” is an adverb, that is, it modifies a verb or adjective. In Portuguese, adverbs are invariable. Therefore, the word “bem” doesn’t vary in gender and number.
The word “bem” can be used in many different contexts. We’re going to study the most common uses.
- “Bem” means “com saúde ou bem-estar”(with health or well-being). For example:
Carolina não está se sentindo bem hoje. (Carolina is not feeling well today.)
- “Bem” means “com nitidez, claramente” (clearly). For example:
Posso ver as montanhas muito bem da minha janela. (I can see the mountains very well from my window.)
- “Bem” means “com alto nível de qualidade” (with high level of quality). For example:
João canta muito bem. (João sings very well.)
- “Bem” means “muito, bastante” (very, quite). For example:
Cheguei em casa bem tarde ontem. (I got home very late yesterday.)
- “Bem” means “de forma correta e justa” (in a correct and fair way). For example:
Você agiu muito bem. (You handled it very well.)
- “Bem” means “exatamente” (exactly). For example:
Ela chegou bem na hora do almoço. (She arrived just in time for lunch.)
- The word “bem” can also be a masculine noun. Here are 3 examples with different meanings:
João não possui nenhum bem valioso. (João doesn’t have any valuable assets.)
Eu quero o seu bem. (I want your well-being.)
Oi, meu bem! (Hello, my dear!)
How to use the word “bom”
The word “bom” is an adjective, that is, it modifies a noun. In Portuguese, adjectives are variable. Therefore, the word “bom” varies in gender and number: bom, boa, bons, boas.
The word “bom” can be used in many different contexts. We’re going to study the most common uses.
- “Bom” means “bondoso, generoso” (kind, generous). For example:
João é um homem bom, ele sempre ajuda os outros. (João is a good man, he always helps others.)
- “Bom” means “adequado ou satisfatório” (adequate or satisfactory). For example:
Arroz com feijão é uma boa refeição. (Rice with beans is a good meal.)
- “Bom” means “curado, sarado” (cured, healed). For example:
Maria ficou boa da gripe. (Maria got better from the flu.)
- “Bom” means “competente em uma atividade” (competent in an activity). For example:
Carolina é uma professora muito boa. (Carolina is a very good teacher.)
- “Bom” means “saboroso” (tasty). For example:
Esses chocolates são muito bons. (These chocolates are very good.)
- “Bom” means “condições favoráveis, ou agradável” (favorable conditions, or pleasant). For example:
O tempo está bom hoje. (The weather is good today.)
- The word “bom” can also be a masculine noun. For example:
Os bons serão recompensados. (The good ones will be rewarded.)
O bom do Brasil é a comida e o clima. (The good thing about Brazil is the food and the weather.)
“Tudo bem” or “Tudo bom”?
Should we say “tudo bem” or “tudo bom”? Both ways are correct. We can say “tudo bem”(I’m well) or “tudo bom” (I’m good).
When we say “tudo bem”, it is implied that the word “bem” refers to the verb “estar”:
Está tudo bem. (Everything is well.)
When we say, “tudo bom”, it is implied that the word “bom” refers to the word “tudo”:
Tudo está bom. (Everything is good.)
Therefore, both forms are correct and can be used in the same way.
Tudo bem? Tudo bem. (How are you? I’m well.)
Tudo bom? Tudo bom. (How are you? I’m good.)
What are the opposites of “bem” and “bom”?
“Mal” (with l) is the opposite of “bem.”
“Mau” (with u) is the opposite of “bom.”
➔ To learn more about the words “mal” (with l) and “mau” (with u), click here.
Free worksheet!
👉 This lesson comes with a free worksheet with the summary of the lesson, many examples in sentences, and exercises for you to practice. Click here to download your worksheet.
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