Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Okay" in Italian: va bene / ok
va bene / ok
Okay in Italian is va bene (vah BEH-neh), or simply ok. Va bene means that works / alright. You can also say d'accordo for stronger agreement.
Confirming a time
Ci vediamo alle nove? — Va bene.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce va bene / ok
Say it
vah BEH-neh
/va ˈbɛ.ne/
Va bene stresses BEH: vah BEH-neh. Ok is usually said like English OK.
"Okay" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| va bene | okay, alright Default everyday agreement. | Default everyday agreement. |
| ok | okay Casual, same as English. | Casual, same as English. |
| va benissimo | that's great / perfect Warmer yes. | Warmer yes. |
| non va bene | that's not okay Rejecting a plan or behavior. | Rejecting a plan or behavior. |
How to use va bene / ok in real life
- 1Confirming a time
Ci vediamo alle nove? — Va bene.
See you at nine? — Okay.
Short reply of agreement.
- 2Changing plans
Ok, allora passo dopo cena.
Okay, then I'll come by after dinner.
Ok opens a new plan.
- 3Checking food
Il risotto va bene così o vuoi più sale?
Is the risotto okay like this or do you want more salt?
Va bene for is it fine.
Mistakes English speakers make with va bene / ok
Incorrect: Va bene io vengo.
Correct: Va bene, io vengo.
Pause or comma: va bene is its own beat before the plan.
Incorrect: La cosa è oké.
Correct: La cosa è ok. / Va bene.
Italians write ok or okay, not oké.
Good to know
Va bene is softer than a loud sì: it often means fine by me. Tone matters; a flat va bene can mean reluctant acceptance.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Agreeing on a meeting spot
ChatPal
Ci troviamo davanti al cinema?
Shall we meet in front of the cinema?
You
Va bene. A che ora?
Okay. What time?
ChatPal
Alle otto e mezza va bene?
Is eight-thirty okay?
You
Ok, alle otto e mezza sono lì.
Okay, I'll be there at eight-thirty.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Okay" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Okay" in Italian
Is ok used in Italian?
Yes, constantly in messages and speech, alongside va bene.
Is va bene the same as sì?
Close, but va bene is more alright / that works than a bare yes.
How do I say that's not okay?
Non va bene or non è ok.
What is va benissimo?
A stronger, happier okay — great, perfect.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
