Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between está bueno and es bueno. Using es bueno instead of está bueno changes the meaning from being physically attractive to being a person of good character.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
está bueno is an informal, colloquial way to describe someone's physical appeal. For more formal settings, you should use Se ve muy atractivo (He looks very attractive) or Es un hombre atractivo (He is an attractive man). Other informal variations include Está buenísimo, Está como un queso and Está para comérselo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear the phrase Está buenorro to describe someone as attractive. In Latin America, the phrase Está de infarto is used to express strong attraction.
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase uses the verb estar (to be in a state) rather than ser (to be a characteristic) to describe physical attractiveness. To refer to a group of attractive men, you can pluralize the phrase to están buenos.
Did you know?
- The phrase está como un queso literally translates to 'he is like a cheese', yet it is a common way to say a man is very attractive.
- In Latin America, the phrase está de infarto suggests the person is so attractive they could cause a heart attack.
- The word bueno in está bueno shares its deep ancestry with the Latin word bonus, which is the root of the English word 'bonus'.
Examples in context
- Ese actor está bueno.That actor is hot.
- El chico de la foto está bueno.The guy in the photo is hot.
- No te creo, pero él está bueno.I don't believe you, but he is hot.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a magazine in a cafe.
- MaríaMira, ese modelo está bueno.Look, that model is hot.
- JavierSí, es muy guapo.Yes, he is very handsome.
- MaríaMe encanta su estilo.I love his style.
- JavierA ti te gusta todo el mundo.You like everyone.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bueno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
