bueno

Bueno is a Spanish adjective meaning good or well, depending on context. It derives from the Latin bonus and has cognates in other Romance languages, such as Portuguese bom and Italian buono. The word also appears as a surname and in fixed phrases across Spanish-speaking cultures.

Forms and agreement

In standard usage, bueno inflects for gender and number: bueno (masculine singular), buena (feminine singular), buenos (masculine plural), buenas (feminine plural). When placed before a masculine singular noun, the form commonly shortens to buen (for example, un buen día, una buena idea). This pre-nominal shortening is a common feature of Spanish adjectives describing inherent quality.

Usage and nuance

As an attributive adjective, bueno describes quality, tastiness, or moral character: una casa buena, la comida está buena, un hombre bueno. It contrasts with bien, which functions as an adverb meaning well (corrió bien) rather than as an adjective. Bueno can express approval or positivity and appears in exclamations such as ¡Qué bueno! or as a discourse marker when transitioning thoughts, as in Bueno, creo que es hora de empezar.

Noun use and cultural references

Bueno can function as a noun phrase meaning “the good” or “the good one,” especially in literary or colloquial contexts. It appears in titles and expressions that distinguish moral or thematic sides, for example in the famous phrase “el bueno, el malo y el feo” (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly).

Surname and cross-language notes

Bueno is a common surname in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions. The word shares its etymology with related terms in other Romance languages; for example, Portuguese bom, Italian buono, and French bon reflect the same Latin root.