Which one should you use?
While estás bueno refers to physical attractiveness, do not use it if you mean someone is feeling warm or experiencing a high body temperature. In that case, use tienes calor. Additionally, the phrase estás buenísimo is an intensified version used to say someone is extremely hot.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase estás bueno and its variations like Estás buenísimo/a and Estás hecho/a un/a bombón are informal. The phrase Qué guapo/a estás is also informal and means "You look handsome/beautiful."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression Estás que ardes is used to mean "You're on fire."
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must change gender to match the person you are speaking to: use bueno for a man and buena for a woman. This gender agreement also applies to the related forms Estás buenísimo/a and Estás hecho/a un/a bombón.
How do you pronounce it?
/estas bweno/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb ser (eres) instead of estar (estás). If you say eres bueno, you are telling someone "you are a good person" (referring to their character), whereas estás bueno specifically means they are physically attractive.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, calling someone estás rico or estás rica is a common way to say they are hot. It translates literally to 'you are delicious'.
- While estás bueno is common across the Spanish-speaking world, the phrase estás fuerte is often used in Spain to mean 'you're hot' by emphasizing a fit or toned physique.
- The phrase Estás hecho un bombón literally means 'You have become a chocolate candy'. In Spanish culture, sweets are frequently used as metaphors for beauty and desirability.
Examples in context
- No te lo digo de broma, estás bueno.I'm not joking, you're hot.
- ¿Sabes que estás bueno?Do you know you're hot?
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are flirting at a party.
- DanielSofía, te ves increíble hoy.Sofía, you look incredible today.
- SofíaGracias, Daniel. Tú también.Thanks, Daniel. You too.
- DanielEn serio, estás bueno.Seriously, you're hot.
- SofíaMe haces sonrojar.You're making me blush.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
