de buena gana
/de bwena ɡana/from spelling rules
The English word 'gladly' can be translated into Spanish as de buena gana or gustosamente.
Meaning: willingly, certainly (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| de buena gana | /de bwena ɡana/ (from spelling rules) |
| gustosamente | /ɡusˌtosaˈmente/ |
Both terms are used to describe doing something willingly. De buena gana is the most common way to express that an action is being done gladly or without complaint, often emphasizing that a person is not being forced to do it. Gustosamente is used when you want to convey that an action is being performed with actual enjoyment or pleasure.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase de buena gana literally translates to 'with good will' or 'with good desire'.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, gustosamente carries a slightly stronger connotation of performing an action with actual pleasure.
Did you know?
- The word gana in the phrase de buena gana might share a distant ancestor with the Gothic word ganan, which meant 'to covet'.
- The phrase de buena gana can be flipped to de mala gana to describe doing something grudgingly, which often suggests the person felt forced even if they did the job well.
- When you use the word gustosamente, you are using a term rooted in the sensory experience of taste. The word comes from gusto, which in Spanish refers to both 'taste' and 'pleasure'.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría ayudarme con estos documentos, por favor? – ¡Con mucho gusto!Could you help me with these documents, please? – Gladly!
- ¿Estarías dispuesto/a a colaborar con este proyecto? – Sí, de buen grado.Would you be willing to collaborate on this project? – Yes, gladly.
- ¿Podrías ayudarme a mover esta mesa? – ¡Sin problema!Could you help me move this table? – No problem, gladly!
- Lo haré de buena gana.I will do it gladly.
- Ella ayudó a su hermano de buena gana.She helped her brother willingly.
- Acepto el trabajo de buena gana.I gladly accept the job.
- Él hizo los deberes de buena gana.He did his homework willingly.
Example conversation
Daniel asks Sofía to help him move some boxes.
- Daniel¿Me ayudas con estas cajas, Sofía?Will you help me with these boxes, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, te ayudaré de buena gana.Yes, I will gladly help you.
- DanielGracias, eres muy amable.Thanks, you are very kind.
- SofíaNo hay de qué, Daniel.You're welcome, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gladly” translations and entries de buena gana, gustosamente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, gana, gustosamente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
