bueno

/BWEH-no/

A person with a friendly smile giving a clear thumbs-up sign, indicating that something is good.

Like a thumbs-up, 'bueno' is the most common way to say something is good, nice, or high-quality.

bueno (Adjective)

mA1

good?general quality

Also:nice?pleasant, agreeable,kind?a person's character,tasty?food,fine / okay?health or situation

📝 In Action

Este es un buen libro.

This is a good book.

La sopa está muy buena.

The soup is very tasty.

Mi abuela es una mujer muy buena.

My grandmother is a very kind woman.

No te preocupes, estoy bueno.

Don't worry, I'm fine/healthy.

Related Words

Synonyms

excelente (excellent)
rico (tasty (for food))
amable (kind)

Antonyms

malo (bad)

Common Collocations

buenos días – good morning
buen provecho – enjoy your meal
buen viaje – have a good trip

Idioms & Expressions

de buenas a primeras – all of a sudden, out of the blue
estar de buenas – to be in a good mood

💡 Grammar Points

Bueno vs. Buen

When 'bueno' comes right before a masculine word, it shortens to 'buen'. For example, you say 'un buen día' (a good day), not 'un bueno día'.

Matching the Noun

'Bueno' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'bueno' for masculine things ('el libro bueno') and 'buena' for feminine things ('la casa buena').

Bueno vs. Bien: The Big Difference

Use 'bueno' to describe things ('La comida es buena' - The food is good). Use 'bien' to describe actions ('Tú cocinas bien' - You cook well).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting to Change for Gender

Mistake: "La película es bueno."

Correction: La película es buena. Because 'película' (movie) is a feminine word, you need to use the feminine form 'buena'.

Mixing up 'Bueno' and 'Bien'

Mistake: "Yo hablo español bueno."

Correction: Yo hablo español bien. Since you're describing an action (speaking), you need to use 'bien' (well), not 'bueno' (good).

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing People

Placing 'bueno' after a person's name ('un hombre bueno') usually emphasizes their kindness or moral goodness. Placing it before ('un buen hombre') is more general, like 'a good/decent guy'.

A person holding a phone to their ear, with a slightly paused or thoughtful expression.

As a single word, 'Bueno' can mean 'Well...', 'Okay', or even 'Hello?' on the phone in some places.

bueno (Interjection)

well...?as a filler word to start a sentence

Also:okay / right?agreement,hello??answering the telephone

📝 In Action

Bueno, no estoy seguro.

Well, I'm not sure.

¿Quieres ir al parque? — ¡Bueno!

Do you want to go to the park? — Okay!

(Al contestar el teléfono) ¿Bueno?

(Answering the phone) Hello?

Related Words

Synonyms

pues (well / then)
vale (okay (common in Spain))
de acuerdo (agreed)

⭐ Usage Tips

The Conversation Starter

Use 'Bueno...' just like you'd use 'Well...' or 'So...' in English to pause for a moment before you speak. It's a great way to sound more natural.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: bueno

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly says 'It is a good day'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

bien(well) - adverb

bondad(goodness, kindness) - noun

buenísimo(very good, great) - adjective

bonito(pretty) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the easiest way to remember the difference between 'bueno' and 'bien'?

Think of it this way: 'bueno' describes THINGS (it's an adjective), while 'bien' describes ACTIONS (it's an adverb). 'The car is good' is 'El coche es bueno.' But 'The car runs well' is 'El coche funciona bien'.

Why does 'bueno' sometimes become 'buen'?

It's a small pronunciation shortcut that became a rule. Whenever 'bueno' is placed directly before a masculine singular noun (like 'libro', 'chico', 'día'), it drops the '-o' to become 'buen'. So, it's 'un buen libro', not 'un bueno libro'.

Can 'bueno' mean something other than 'good'?

Yes! Its main meaning is 'good', but in conversations, people use it all the time as a filler word, like 'Well...' or 'So...'. For example: 'Bueno, vamos a ver' ('Well, let's see'). And in some countries like Mexico, it's how you answer the phone!