salir bien
Lemma Details
Translation: to turn out well; to go well; to succeed; to work out
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'salir' (to go out, to leave) from Latin 'salire' (to leap, jump) and 'bien' (well) from Latin 'bene'. The combination creates a metaphorical sense of 'emerging in a good state' from a situation or process.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'sailing' (sounds like 'salir') smoothly on a 'benign' (sounds like 'bien') sea.
- Imagine 'exiting' a situation with a thumbs up ('bien').
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in everyday Spanish conversation to express positive outcomes. It's often used to reassure someone that things will work out or to comment on successful results.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'salir bien' refers to the final outcome being good, 'ir bien' refers to something progressing well in the moment.
Notes: 'Salir bien' is about the final result, while 'ir bien' is about the current state or progress.
Mnemonic: 'Salir' (to exit) focuses on the end result, while 'ir' (to go) focuses on the ongoing process.
Explanation: 'Salir bien' refers to an outcome, while 'estar bien' refers to a state of being good or okay.
This word:
El proyecto salió bien después de mucho trabajo.
The project turned out well after a lot of work.
Notes: 'Estar bien' describes a current state while 'salir bien' describes how something concluded or resulted.
Mnemonic: Think of 'salir bien' as 'exiting into goodness' (outcome) and 'estar bien' as 'existing in goodness' (state).