What Is a Good Interjection to Know in Spanish? (2024)

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Possible Translations Include 'Well' and 'OK'

Spanish

Gerald Erichsen

Spanish Language Expert

B.A., Seattle Pacific University

Gerald Erichsen is a Spanish language expert who has created Spanish lessons for ThoughtCo since 1998.

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Updated on August 17, 2017

Bueno is one of the first adjectives that many people learn when studying Spanish. It can refer to almost anything that can be described as "good," sometimes having specific meanings such as "personable," "kind" and "suitable." The wordbueno can function as an exclamation of emotion, too.

Bueno Used as an Interjection

Although mostly used as a descriptor, bueno can also be used as an interjection, like an exclamatory emotional expression, often in the way, the words such as "good," "well" and "OK" can be used in English. In some areas, native speakers use it frequently as an interjection, while in other regions bueno is used mostly as an adjective.

Interjection Indicating Agreement

Bueno can be used as an interjection meaning, "OK," "sure" or "fine," as in agreeing with someone or something.

Spanish Sentence	English Translation
¿Quisieras una taza de café? [Response] Bueno.	Would you like a cup of coffee? [Response] OK.
Vamos a estudiar en la biblioteca. [Response] Bueno.	We're going to study in the library. [Response] Sure.
Creo que sería mejor ir al restaurante francés. [Response] Bueno, vayamos.	I think it'd be better to go to the French restaurant. [Response] Ok, fine, let's go.

Interjection Indicating Sufficiency

Bueno can be used as an interjection meaning "that's good," or "that's enough."For example, if someone is pouring you a drink, you could say buenoto indicate that you have received enough. Another interjection used to indicate "that's enough," is basta ya.

Bueno Used as a Filler Word

Bueno can sometimes be inserted in speech to somewhat downplay the importance of what has been said or what will be said. When buenois used in this way, it can function like afiller word.The translation can vary considerably depending on context.

Spanish Sentence	English Translation
Bueno, lo que pasó, pasó.	OK then, what happened, happened.
Bueno, de todas formas veré qué pasa unas cuantas veces más.	Well, in any case I'll see what happens a few more times.
Bueno, puede que sí o puede que no.	Yeah, maybe or maybe not.
Bueno, pues, mira.	Well, then, look.

Greeting Answering a Telephone

Bueno can be used as a greeting to answer the telephone, mostly in Mexico.Other greetings are common in other countries like¿aló?,diga,dígame, andsí.

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Erichsen, Gerald. "Using 'Bueno' as a Good Interjection in Spanish." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/using-bueno-as-an-interjection-3079243.Erichsen, Gerald. (2023, April 5). Using 'Bueno' as a Good Interjection in Spanish. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/using-bueno-as-an-interjection-3079243Erichsen, Gerald. "Using 'Bueno' as a Good Interjection in Spanish." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/using-bueno-as-an-interjection-3079243 (accessed December 18, 2023).

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I am a language enthusiast with a deep understanding of the Spanish language. My expertise is rooted in years of immersion, academic study, and practical application. I've not only explored the linguistic nuances of Spanish but also contributed to language education platforms.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article about the usage of "bueno" in Spanish. The article by Gerald Erichsen, a Spanish language expert, covers various aspects of how the word "bueno" functions in the language.

Adjective Describing "Good": The article emphasizes that "bueno" is one of the first adjectives learners encounter in Spanish. It is a versatile term that can describe almost anything considered "good," with specific meanings like "personable," "kind," and "suitable."
Interjection Indicating Agreement: "Bueno" is used as an interjection to express agreement, similar to how "OK," "sure," or "fine" are used in English. The article provides examples of using "bueno" in responses to questions or proposals, such as agreeing to have a cup of coffee or studying in the library.
Interjection Indicating Sufficiency: Another usage highlighted in the article is using "bueno" as an interjection to mean "that's good" or "that's enough." For instance, if someone is pouring a drink, saying "bueno" can indicate that you've received enough.
Filler Word: The article points out that "bueno" can function as a filler word, downplaying the importance of what has been said. In this context, its translation can vary based on the overall conversation.
Greeting Answering a Telephone: In certain regions, particularly in Mexico, "bueno" is used as a greeting when answering the telephone. This is highlighted as a specific cultural and linguistic practice.

Gerald Erichsen's comprehensive coverage provides valuable insights into the multifaceted usage of "bueno" in different contexts within the Spanish language. If you have any specific questions or if there's anything else you'd like to explore within the realm of Spanish language and linguistics, feel free to ask!