buen viaje
/ˌbwem ˈbjaxe/
The English phrase "happy journey" is translated into Spanish as buen viaje.
buen viaje is used to wish someone a pleasant trip. You may also use the short exclamation ¡Feliz viaje! to mean "Happy journey!" In conversational settings, it is very common and natural to say ¡Que tengas un buen viaje! to mean "Have a good trip!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase buen viaje literally translates to "good trip".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase buen viaje, the adjective bueno is shortened to buen because it precedes a masculine singular noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwem ˈbjaxe/
When do people say it?
When someone wishes you buen viaje, the standard response is Gracias (Thank you).
Did you know?
- In a religious context, the word viático shares the same root as viaje, but it refers specifically to the final Eucharist given to a person before death.
- While buen viaje is the standard wish, Spanish speakers often pair it with the gesture of a kiss on the cheek or a hug, which is more common than a handshake when saying goodbye to friends.
- The noun viaje is actually a loanword from Catalan rather than a direct descendant of Latin, entering the Spanish vocabulary through the Old Catalan word viatge.
Examples in context
- ¡Que disfrutes mucho del viaje, amiga!Enjoy your trip, friend!
- ¡Ten un viaje emocionante, Carlos!Have an exciting journey, Carlos!
- ¡Buen viaje, nos vemos pronto!Have a nice trip, see you soon!
- Te deseo un buen viaje a Madrid.I wish you a good trip to Madrid.
- Que tengas un buen viaje por Europa.May you have a good trip through Europe.
Example conversation
Lucía is leaving for the airport and Mateo is seeing her off.
- Mateo¡Buen viaje, Lucía!Have a nice trip, Lucía!
- LucíaMuchas gracias, Mateo.Thank you very much, Mateo.
- MateoEscríbeme cuando llegues.Text me when you arrive.
- LucíaLo haré, adiós.I will, goodbye.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry buen viaje, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buen, viaje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
