What does it mean word for word?
Literally, estás bueno translates to "you are good," but in this specific context, it functions as slang for being physically attractive.
Which one should you use?
You can use estás buenísimo to mean "you're extremely hot" in an informal context. Eres sexy means "you're sexy," and the colloquial expression Estás que ardes can be used to say "you're on fire" as a compliment to someone's hotness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Eres sexy is considered informal, and Estás que ardes is a colloquial way to compliment someone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the slang expression estás bien bueno/a is used to convey "you're really hot." In parts of South America, such as Argentina, the informal phrase sos un bombón is used to say someone is hot.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a woman, the adjective changes to the feminine form estás buena.
Did you know?
- If you use the verb ser instead of estar and say eres bueno, you are no longer complimenting someone's looks, but rather stating that they are a 'good person' or morally upright.
- Because bueno can also mean 'tasty' when referring to food, calling a person bueno/a carries an underlying connotation of being 'delicious'.
- If you say estás bueno to a person's face in a formal setting, it could be perceived as much more aggressive or vulgar than the English 'you are hot'.
Examples in context
- Estás bueno, de verdad.You're hot, really.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are flirting at a party.
- ElenaJavier, no te lo digo suficiente, estás bueno.Javier, I don't tell you enough, you're hot.
- Javier¿Ah sí? ¿Y qué más piensas de mí?Oh yeah? And what else do you think of me?
- ElenaQue eres el hombre más guapo de la fiesta.That you are the most handsome man at the party.
- JavierGracias, Elena, tú también eres muy linda.Thanks, Elena, you are also very pretty.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
