adjective

bueno

BWEH-noh

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Bueno (adjective) means the Spanish word for good, in the sense of being of high quality, morally good, or pleasant. Example: “El café está muy bueno — the coffee is very good.”

adjective

The Spanish word for good, in the sense of being of high quality, morally good, or pleasant.

"El café está muy bueno — the coffee is very good."

"Es un hombre bueno, a good man."

interjection

A conversational filler in Spanish used to mean 'well', 'OK' or 'right then', often when changing the subject or accepting something.

"Bueno, vámonos — right then, let's go."

"Bueno, si tú lo dices."

In Mexican Spanish, the standard word for answering the telephone, equivalent to 'hello'.

"¿Bueno? ¿Quién habla?"

How to use bueno

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSpanish for 'good', also used like 'well…' or 'OK'.

When to use it

Bueno changes form to agree with the noun: bueno, buena, buenos, buenas. Before a masculine singular noun it shortens to buen — un buen día.

Memory tip

Bueno is an adjective describing a thing or person; bien is an adverb describing how something is done. 'Es bueno' means it is good; 'está bien' means it is fine or it is going well.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

bien → buen bonito →

Common pairings

muy bueno buen día qué bueno está bueno

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “bueno” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

El café está muy _____ — the coffee is very good.

Etymology

From Latin bonus ('good'), the same root that gives English bonus, bonny and bounty.

Origin: Spanish

Antonyms

malo

Related words

malo

Rhymes for bueno

keno leno Reno geno Zeno Ueno Moreno

See all rhymes for bueno →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between bueno and bien?

Bueno is an adjective and describes nouns: un libro bueno, a good book. Bien is an adverb and describes verbs: canta bien, he sings well. Saying 'está bueno' about food means it tastes good, while 'estoy bien' means I am fine.

Why do Mexicans say 'bueno' on the phone?

It is simply the conventional telephone greeting in Mexico, where other Spanish-speaking countries use aló, diga or sí. It functions exactly like the English 'hello' when picking up a call.

When does bueno become buen?

It drops the -o directly before a masculine singular noun: un buen amigo, buen viaje. In every other position the full form stays: el amigo es bueno.

What is the meaning of bueno?

"bueno" (adjective) means the Spanish word for good, in the sense of being of high quality, morally good, or pleasant.

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