Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between using the verb *estar* and the verb *ser*. You should use esto está bueno to describe temporary states like a pleasant taste or a physical sensation. If you want to describe an inherent quality or moral goodness, you would use esto es bueno.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, an informal way to say something is good is Esto está chido. In South American countries like Peru or Colombia, you can use Esto está bacán. Additionally, in some Latin American countries, the informal variation Esto está de pelos is used to convey that something is good.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use esto es bueno instead of esto está bueno when describing food. Using es changes the meaning from "it tastes good" to "it is a good thing".
Did you know?
- While esto está bueno describes a delicious meal, saying esta mujer está buena uses the same structure to imply she is physically attractive. This subtle shift in context can change a compliment about quality into a comment on physical appearance.
- The word bueno is so versatile that it is often used as a filler word, similar to 'well' in English, to start a sentence regardless of whether something is actually good.
- The word bueno comes from the Latin bonus, which traces back to the Proto-Italic dwenos.
Examples in context
- Esto está bueno, ¿verdad?This is good, isn't it?This sentence is useful for confirming that something is good with the phrase esto está bueno.Tatoeba #4769150 by alegarvid, translation #4494456 by CK
- ¡La fiesta anoche estuvo chida!The party last night was great!
- ¡Los resultados de la prueba están de pelos!The test results are fantastic!
- Creo que esto está bueno.I think this is good.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are trying a new dish at a restaurant.
- LucíaDaniel, prueba esto.Daniel, try this.
- Daniel¡Vaya! Esto está bueno.Wow! This is good.
- LucíaSí, me encanta.Yes, I love it.
- DanielEs una gran elección.It is a great choice.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bueno, esto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
