un buen momento
/un bwen momento/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "a good time" is translated as un buen momento.
un buen momento is used to describe a favorable or appropriate point in time to perform a specific action. It is commonly followed by the preposition para to indicate the purpose or the action for which the time is appropriate, such as in the phrase un buen momento para… (a good time to…).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the indefinite article un (a), the adjective buen (good) and the noun momento (moment/time).
Which one should you use?
While un buen momento refers to a favorable point in time, it is not used to mean "having a fun time". To express that someone is having fun, you should use pasarlo bien instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective bueno shortens to buen when it is placed immediately before a masculine singular noun like momento.
Did you know?
- The word momento descends from the Latin mōmentum, which originally referred to the small motion of a balance scale. It described the tiny movement that tips the scale, eventually evolving to mean a tiny slice of time.
- In Spanish, the word momento is frequently used in the phrase en un momento, which can be a deceptive social cue. Depending on the region, it can mean 'immediately' or 'in a little while', often leaving the listener unsure of the actual wait time.
- In Spanish, momento can describe a heavy or monumental event, such as un momento decisivo. This differs from the English word 'moment', which usually implies something fleeting.
Examples in context
- No es un buen momento.It's not a good time.This sentence uses un buen momento to state that it is not a favorable time.Tatoeba #1703077 by marcelostockle, translation #3819720 by CK
- Éste no es un buen momento para hacerlo.This isn't a good time to do that.This sentence uses un buen momento to specify that the current time is not suitable for doing something.Tatoeba #7137484 by arh, translation #7137410 by CK
- "Es un buen momento para que te tomes unas vacaciones", dijo el jefe a Jim."It's a good time for you to take a vacation," the boss said to Jim.This sentence uses un buen momento to show a boss suggesting a suitable time for a vacation.Tatoeba #780184 by leoruilova, translation #476176 by CN
- Pasamos un buen momento en la conferenciaWe had a good time at the conference
- Disfrutamos de una buena velada en el teatroWe enjoyed a good time at the theater
- Gozamos de un momento agradable en la playaWe had a good time at the beach
- Todos los invitados disfrutaron de una agradable velada en la recepciónAll the guests enjoyed a pleasant evening at the reception
- Gozamos de un momento muy agradable en la reunión de negociosWe had a very pleasant time at the business meeting
- Nos divertimos a lo grande en la fiestaWe had a great time at the party
- Nos divertimos a lo grande jugando videojuegos toda la nocheWe had a blast playing video games all night long
- Nos lo pasamos bien jugando al fútbolWe had a good time playing soccer
- ¡Nos lo pasamos genial en la excursión a la montaña!We had a great time on the mountain excursion!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía wants to talk to Daniel about a project.
- LucíaHola Daniel, ¿es un buen momento para hablar?Hi Daniel, is this a good time to talk?
- DanielLo siento, ahora no es un buen momento.I'm sorry, now is not a good time.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, ¿cuándo sería un buen momento?Don't worry, when would be a good time?
- DanielPodemos hablar después de la comida.We can talk after lunch.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buen, momento, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
