no tan bueno
/no tan bweno/from spelling rules
The English phrase "not that good" is translated into Spanish as no tan bueno.
This phrase is used to describe something that is of mediocre or disappointing quality.
Which one should you use?
no tan bueno is a fragment used as a descriptor, whereas the complete sentence "it is not that good" is expressed as no es tan bueno.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, the colloquialism no tan chido can be used to mean "not that cool".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use no tan buena for a single feminine noun, no tan buenos for masculine or mixed-gender plural nouns and no tan buenas for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- In many regions, the informal phrase no está tan padre is used as a common alternative to say something is 'not that good'.
- The word bueno is used as a conversational filler in Spain, similar to 'well' or 'anyway' in English. In this specific role, it is used regardless of whether the quality of the situation is actually 'good'.
- In Mexico, the colloquial phrase no tan chido means 'not that cool' and may have originated from Pachuco slang used along the US-Mexico border.
Examples in context
- Mi conocimiento del español no es tan bueno como me gustaría.My knowledge of Spanish is not that good as I would like.
- El rendimiento de la empresa este trimestre ha sido poco satisfactorio.The company's performance this quarter has been unsatisfactory.
- Salí a correr esta mañana, pero me sentí regular.I went for a run this morning, but I felt so-so.
- La película no es tan buena.The movie is not that good.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about a movie they just watched.
- Lucía¿Qué te pareció la película, Alejandro?What did you think of the movie, Alejandro?
- AlejandroLa verdad es que fue no tan bueno.To be honest, it was not that good.
- LucíaEstoy de acuerdo, el final fue muy aburrido.I agree, the ending was very boring.
- AlejandroSí, esperaba mucho más de la historia.Yes, I expected much more from the story.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
