è buono
The English phrase 'tastes good' is expressed in Italian as è buono.
This phrase is used to say that food or drink has a pleasant flavor. While it literally translates to 'it is good', it is the standard way to say 'it tastes good' in Italian.
Which one should you use?
While è buono is the standard way to say something tastes good, you may also encounter sa di buono, which is used to express that something has a pleasant flavor or 'tastes of' something good.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the food or drink being described: use è buona for feminine nouns like la pizza or la pasta. Use sono buoni when referring to multiple masculine items, such as i biscotti. Use sono buone when referring to multiple feminine items, such as le mele.
Did you know?
- In Italy, it is common to express that food 'tastes good' by simply saying buono! with a hand gesture, such as the pinched fingers of the 'chef's kiss'.
- The verb sapere is the root for both 'to know' and 'to taste', which can be confusing if you are trying to describe a flavor.
- The phrase buono is the root of the English word 'bonus', though the two entered English through different paths from the same Latin source.
Examples in context
- Wow, è buonissima!Wow, it's really good!
- Questa pasta è buona!This pasta is good!
- Questo gelato è buono.This ice cream tastes good.
- Il sugo è buono.The sauce tastes good.
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are eating dinner together.
- ChiaraProva questo piatto, è buono!Try this dish, it tastes good!
- FrancescoHai ragione, è davvero ottimo.You are right, it is really great.
- ChiaraAnche il dolce è buono.The dessert tastes good too.
- FrancescoAllora ne prendiamo due.Then let's get two.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buono, è, CC BY-SA 4.0.
