The word "good" mainly translates as bueno (pronunciation) in Spanish. Even if you are not particularly familiar with the language, it is likely that you have already heard this word. Bueno is an adjective. When you need a noun or equivalent adverb, you should use the term bien (pronunciation) instead. Once you have mastered the adjective bueno, you can improve your knowledge of Spanish with informal and commonly used expressions that contain it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Describe Something Using the Adjective Bueno
Step 1. Use the adjective bueno (pronunciation) to translate the Italian adjective "good" or "beautiful"
As an adjective, it has a use similar to that of the Italian term. It is used to describe something positive, advantageous or morally right.
For example, you could say Este libro es bueno, which means "This book is beautiful"
Step 2. Change the ending of the adjective to match the gender and number
Since bueno is an adjective, it must agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. If the noun is feminine, it will become buena (pronunciation). Add an "s" to the end of bueno or buena if the noun is plural.
- When you have doubts about it, consider which element (person, thing, experience …) is defined bueno: this is the noun with which the adjective must agree.
- For example, you could say Eso es una buena señal, which means "This is a good sign". Since the word señal is feminine, the adjective bueno must be modified accordingly. In case the signals were more than one you would say Estas son buenas señales.
Step 3. Shorten bueno in front of masculine nouns, turning it into buen
By now you will have learned that bueno is the masculine form of the adjective. However, when the adjective is placed in front of a masculine noun, the final vowel must be removed, so that it becomes buen.
- For example, a single friend of yours might complain saying Un buen hombre es difícil de encontrar, which means "It is difficult to meet a good man." Since hombre is a masculine noun, we need to shorten bueno, transforming it into buen.
- However, you do not have to shorten it in case bueno is inserted after the masculine noun it modifies. For example, think of the phrase Es un informe bueno, which literally translates as "It is a good account."
- The adjective bueno can appear either before or after the noun. For example, it is correct to say both el libro bueno and el buen libro.
Step 4. Add muy (view = home & op = translate & sl = es & tl = it & text = muy pronunciation) to bueno to say "very good"
The word muy is an adverb which means "a lot". You can insert it before bueno to intensify the adjective. While the term bueno must agree with the noun regarding gender and number, muy is invariable.
Example: Este vino es muy bueno ("This wine is very good")
Step 5. Use válido (pronunciation) in case you mean something is legitimate
Just like in Italian, this adjective refers to something that is in force, in order or acceptable.
- For example, consider the phrase Mi pasaporte es válido por 10 años, which means "My passport is valid for 10 years".
- The adjective válido can also be used to describe something that is correct or accurate. Example: Es un texto válido ("It is a valid text").
Step 6. Avoid using bueno to describe yourself
When someone asks you how are you (¿Cómo estás?), The right answer is not Estoy bueno, as it is grammatically incorrect.
Bueno is an adjective. The phrase Estoy bueno can be interpreted as if you were saying, "I look good". People might think you're vain if you answer like this
Method 2 of 3: Use Bien as a Noun or Adverb
Step 1. Say bien (pronunciation) to speak of a virtue or benefit
In Italian it usually translates with the adverb or noun "bene". It is used to describe something favorable or positive.
For example, you could say Esto no habría estado bien, which means "This would not have been right" (literally, "This would not have been right")
Step 2. Answer Estoy bien (pronounce) when asked how you are
In fact, it means "I'm fine". Similarly to the Italian word "bene", the word bien in Spanish is also used as an adverb. If someone asks you how are you (¿Cómo estás?), You can answer by saying Estoy bien.
In general, the use of bien and bueno is very similar to the use of "bene" and "buona" in Italian, so you shouldn't have any difficulties when using these words
Step 3. Reply with the expression ¡Muy bien! when good news is given to you. If a person tells you about a milestone they have achieved or a positive development, you can use ¡Muy bien!, just like in Italian you would say "Very well!" or "Great!".
- For example, if your friend scored the deciding goal in a football match, you might say ¡Muy bien! ¡Lo hiciste genial!, that is "Bravissimo! You were great!".
- The expression Muy bien is also used to say "Very well", just like in Italian. Example: Trabajamos muy bien juntos ("We work very well together").
Step 4. Use the plural form los bienes to talk about goods
In Italian we use the word "merci" or "merci" to refer to goods that are exchanged or traded. For this purpose, the noun bien in the plural is used in Spanish.
Example: People tiende a pagar en efectivo por los bienes y servicios ("People tend to pay cash for goods and services")
Method 3 of 3: Learn Phrases that Contain the Word Bueno or Bien
Step 1. Use the plural to say good morning or good night.
In Spanish we must in fact use the adjective bueno in the plural in the greetings Buenos días ("good morning") and Buenas noches ("goodnight").
- Buenos días literally means "good days", but it is mainly used to say "good morning".
- Buenas noches means "goodnight", although this greeting is also sometimes used to say "good evening". This expression can be used both when meeting someone and when leaving.
Step 2. Try using the slang phrase buena onda (pronunciation) to say that something is "cool"
This phrase literally translates as "good wave", but in many Latin American countries it means "cool" or "How beautiful!". You may hear it in Argentina, Chile and some areas of Mexico.
Being an informal expression, use it carefully. Avoid using it in a formal context, such as when you are talking to someone older than you or who plays an authoritative role
Step 3. Use the adjective buenazo (pronunciation) to talk about inanimate objects
This variation of the word bueno refers to a particularly beautiful or interesting object, especially in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. In some countries it is also used to describe a good-hearted and peaceful person.
- For example, you could say Ese coche es buenazo, which means "This car is cool."
- As stated earlier, buenazo can also be used to describe people. In any case, consider that the meaning of the word varies from country to country and is not always flattering. Ask a native speaker what this means before trying to use it to talk about a person.
Step 4. Use Todo bien (pronunciation) to say "all right"
Just like in Italian, also in Spanish there is a commonly used expression that literally means "all is well". It can be used in contexts similar to those of Italian.
- For example, a mother might say Están muy callados, niños. ¿Va todo bien? ("You are very quiet, children. Are you all right?") The children might reply: ¡Todo bien, mamá! ("All right, mom!").
- This expression also appears in the phrase Hasta aquí todo bien, meaning "So far so good".
