bueno
/ˈbweno/
bueno is the Spanish word for good.
The word bueno is an adjective used to describe something that is of good quality or satisfactory. In conversation, it can also function as an interjection meaning "okay" or "well".
Which one should you use?
As an adjective, bueno describes a quality, whereas in a conversational context, it can act as an interjection to mean "okay" or "well".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the colloquial term chido is used to mean "good" or "cool". In Spain, particularly in Catalonia and Valencia, vale is a common way to say "good" or "okay". In some Latin American countries such as Peru and Ecuador, buenazo or buenaza is used to emphasize that something is exceptionally good.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, this word must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use buena for feminine nouns, buenos for masculine plural nouns and buenas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbweno/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, bueno is the standard way to answer the phone, which is the equivalent of saying 'hello' or 'yes' in English.
- While bueno means 'good', using it to describe a person as está bueno or está buena often implies they are sexually attractive rather than being a good person.
- If you place bueno before a masculine singular noun, it must be shortened to buen, such as in un buen libro, a process called apocope.
Examples in context
- La comida en ese restaurante es buenaza. Te lo recomiendo.The food at that restaurant is really good. I recommend it.
- El servicio en este restaurante es muy bueno.The service in this restaurant is very good.
- Tener un plan bueno es importante.Having a good plan is important.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking about a movie they just watched.
- Javier¿Te gustó la película, Elena?Did you like the movie, Elena?
- ElenaSí, me pareció un filme muy bueno.Yes, I thought it was a very good film.
- JavierA mí también me gustó mucho.I liked it a lot too.
- ElenaEl guion era realmente bueno.The script was really good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bueno, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
