adjective
no bueno
noh BWEH-noh
No bueno (adjective) means Bad, unacceptable or a poor idea; used lightly in English to mark something as not good. Example: “Texting your ex at 2am? No bueno.”
adjective
1
informal Bad, unacceptable or a poor idea; used lightly in English to mark something as not good.
"Texting your ex at 2am? No bueno."
"The brakes were making a grinding noise, which is definitely no bueno."
How to use no bueno
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA playful way of saying something is bad.
When to use it
Slang, chiefly American. Avoid in formal or professional writing.
Memory tip
It works as a whole-sentence verdict, usually after a comma or full stop, rather than before a noun.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
that's no bueno
definitely no bueno
muy no bueno
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like no bueno.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Texting your ex at 2am? _____.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
muy bueno
all good
Related words
Rhymes for no bueno
See all rhymes for 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'.
What is the meaning of no bueno?
"no bueno" (adjective) means bad, unacceptable or a poor idea; used lightly in English to mark something as not good.
