no bueno
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for no bueno, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Bad, unacceptable or a poor idea; used lightly in English to mark something as not good.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
muy bueno
all good
How to use no bueno
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
that's no bueno
definitely no bueno
muy no bueno
Slang, chiefly American. Avoid in formal or professional writing.
Etymology
From Spanish no bueno, literally 'not good'. The phrase is not idiomatic Spanish in this use; Spanish speakers would normally say no es bueno or no sirve.
Full origin of no bueno →Frequently asked questions
Is no bueno correct Spanish?
Not really. In Spanish you would say no es bueno ('it is not good') or no sirve ('it's no use'). No bueno is a jokey English borrowing that drops the verb.
Is it offensive to say no bueno?
Most people treat it as harmless slang, but because it imitates broken Spanish, some Spanish speakers find it grating. It is safest among friends and out of place in formal writing.
What is the opposite of no bueno?
Muy bueno is the usual jokey opposite in the same register, though most English speakers just switch to 'all good'.
