Greetings! If you’re looking to learn how to say “good” in Spanish, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to express this common English word in Spanish, including formal and informal options. We’ll also provide helpful tips, examples, and cover regional variations when necessary. So, vamos a empezar (let’s get started)!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Good” in Spanish
When speaking in formal situations, such as addressing superiors, professionals, or unfamiliar individuals, you’ll want to use the following options:
- Bueno/a: This is the standard term for “good” in Spanish. Remember to match the gender of the noun you’re describing. For example:
Tienes un buen corazón. (You have a good heart.)
Ella es una buena doctora. (She is a good doctor.)
Excelente: Use this term when you want to emphasize the exceptionally good nature of something:
Ha hecho un trabajo excelente. (You have done an excellent job.)
Es una excelente pintura. (It is an excellent painting.)
Magnífico/a: This word emphasizes the grandeur or magnificence of something:
¡Una actuación magnífica! (A magnificent performance!)
El palacio es magnífico. (The palace is magnificent.)
Informal Ways to Say “Good” in Spanish
When speaking in informal settings, with friends, family, or acquaintances, these are the most commonly used options:
- Bueno/a: As mentioned earlier, “bueno/a” is used both formally and informally. It’s your go-to word for most situations:
¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? – Bien, gracias. (Hi! How are you? – Good, thank you.)
¡Qué bueno verte! (It’s great to see you!)
Genial: This term expresses enthusiasm and excitement, often used among friends:
¡Genial! Vamos a pasar un buen rato. (Great! We’re going to have a good time.)
La película fue genial. (The movie was awesome.)
Estupendo/a: Similar to “genial,” this term also conveys a sense of excitement:
¡Estupendo! ¿Podemos comenzar ahora? (Fantastic! Can we start now?)
Tu ayuda ha sido estupenda. (Your help has been amazing.)
Additional Tips and Examples
Here are a few extra tips and examples to enhance your understanding of how to use “good” in Spanish:
- When using “bueno” before a masculine singular noun starting with a stressed “a” sound, it changes to “buen” for euphonic reasons. For example: “Un buen amigo” (A good friend).
- Don’t forget to match the gender and number of the noun with the appropriate form of “bueno/a.” For example:
Tenemos unas buenas noticias. (We have some good news.)
Mis buenos amigos me apoyan. (My good friends support me.)
Expressions such as “Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, and “Good evening” are typically translated as:
Buenos días (formal) / Días (informal) – Good morning
Buenas tardes (formal) / Tardes (informal) – Good afternoon
Buenas noches (formal) / Noches (informal) – Good evening/night
The adjective “bueno/a” can also mean “good” in terms of quality:
Es un libro muy bueno. (It’s a very good book.)
Esa es una idea buena. (That’s a good idea.)
Remember, in Spanish, context is key. Make sure you choose the appropriate term based on the given situation, whether it’s formal or informal.
By now, you should have a solid grasp of the different ways to say “good” in Spanish depending on the circumstances. Whether you’re looking to express a formal opinion or strike up a casual conversation, you can confidently navigate the Spanish language with these options. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
