hiciste un buen trabajo
/iθiste un bwen tɾabaxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you did a good job" is translated into Spanish as hiciste un buen trabajo.
This phrase is used to praise someone for completing a task successfully.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hiciste (you did), un (a), buen (good) and trabajo (work/job).
Which one should you use?
While hiciste un buen trabajo is a full sentence, the shorter Buen trabajo is a common and more direct way to offer the same praise.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form hiciste is the second-person singular preterite of hacer, used when speaking to someone you know well or are on familiar terms with. To address a group of people, use the plural form hicieron un buen trabajo. For a formal 'you', use the third-person singular form hizo un buen trabajo.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying te luciste can be used sarcastically to mean someone has made a huge, embarrassing mistake. The context and tone distinguish whether the person actually 'shone' or failed spectacularly.
- Depending on the region, a person might say te luciste instead of hiciste un buen trabajo when someone has done something exceptionally well to the point of shining.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, praise like buen trabajo is often accompanied by a pat on the back or a light touch on the shoulder to reinforce the social bond.
Examples in context
- Hiciste un buen trabajo.You did a good job.This sentence is useful for stating the direct praise.Tatoeba #2097488 by Shishir, translation #707269 by CM
- Solo quiero decir que hiciste un buen trabajo.I just want to say you did a good job.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to offer praise.Tatoeba #2177398 by hayastan, translation #2025877 by CK
- Creo que hiciste un buen trabajo.I think you did a good job.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal thought about the quality of the work.Tatoeba #13929448 by mervert1, translation #2396132 by CK
- María, has realizado un buen trabajo al liderar el proyecto.Maria, you have done a good job leading the project.
- Pablo, felicidades por tu excelente labor en la organización del evento.Pablo, congratulations on your excellent work organizing the event.
- ¡Sofía, buen trabajo con el pastel! Está delicioso.Sofia, good job with the cake! It's delicious.
- José, ¡lo hiciste genial en el partido de fútbol!Jose, you did great in the soccer match!
- ¡Marta, te luciste con la presentación!Marta, you excelled with the presentation!
Example conversation
Lucía is reviewing a report that Alejandro wrote.
- LucíaLeí tu reporte, Alejandro. Hiciste un buen trabajo.I read your report, Alejandro. You did a good job.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Lucía. Me costó tiempo.Thank you very much, Lucía. It took me some time.
- LucíaSe nota el esfuerzo en cada página.The effort shows on every page.
- AlejandroMe alegra que te haya gustado.I am glad that you liked it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
