estás muy bueno
/estas mui bweno/from spelling rules
To say "you're so fine" in Spanish, you use estás muy bueno.
This phrase is an informal expression used to tell someone that they are very physically attractive. While it focuses on physical appeal, other phrases like Eres muy guapo/guapa (You're very handsome/beautiful), Estás realmente atractivo/attractiva (You're really attractive) or Eres genial (You're awesome) can be used to express different types of admiration.
Which one should you use?
To increase the intensity from "very fine" to "extremely fine", you can use the superlative forms buenísimo or buenísima.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expression estás muy bueno is highly informal and carries a strong sexual undertone. It is not a polite way to compliment someone in a professional or formal setting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word guapo/guapa can imply "brave" or "courageous" in addition to "handsome" or "beautiful". In Argentina, people often use the word lindo/linda to express that someone is "pretty" or "good-looking".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to a woman, you must change the masculine bueno to the feminine buena.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using bueno to describe a person's looks is similar to calling food 'tasty'. It suggests the person is 'delicious' or 'appetizing' rather than just handsome.
- The word muy comes from the Latin multum, which originally meant 'much' or 'many', making it a distant relative of the English word 'multitude'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone bueno or buena focuses on their physical shape and appeal, whereas guapo focuses more on their face and features.
Examples in context
- ¡Oye amigo, eres muy guapo! ¿Lo sabías?Hey buddy, you're very handsome! Did you know that?
- Wow, estás realmente atractiva esta noche. ¿Vas a una fiesta especial?Wow, you're really attractive tonight. Are you going to a special party?
- Sos muy linda/lindo, ¿lo sabías?You're very pretty/handsome, did you know that?
- ¡Dios mío, estás muy bueno!My God, you are so fine!
- No puedo dejar de mirarte, estás muy bueno.I can't stop looking at you, you are so fine.
- Ese traje te queda bien, estás muy bueno.That suit looks good on you, you are so fine.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are flirting at a party.
- ElenaAlejandro, no sé qué decir, estás muy bueno.Alejandro, I don't know what to say, you are so fine.
- Alejandro¿De verdad lo dices, Elena?Do you really mean that, Elena?
- ElenaSí, me encantas.Yes, I adore you.
- AlejandroGracias, tú también eres muy guapa.Thanks, you are very beautiful too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bueno, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
