Bueno and bien
This is a topic I would think would be very simple, but I'm having doubts about how I should be using these words. The direct translation is bien = well and bueno = good, but probably the most common use of bien, "muy bien", means "very good". The reason this question comes up is because I've been working with these kids here in south america and don't know how I should be properly be responding to them. When I want to say "Very good", as in "That picture is very good", I've been saying "Tu pintura es bien (or muy bien)" and think this is correct, but what would it mean if I were to say "Tu pintura es bueno"?
3 Answers
Short answer is what you said - bueno = good (adjective) and bien = well (adverb). The thing to bear in mind is that these are often idiomatic phrases. When someone does something you think is good, you might say, "Muy bien" in Spanish. This really corresponds to "Well done" more than "That's good". If you're describing a noun you generally use "good/bueno". When you're describing an action you say "well/bien". If a student paints a good picture you might wind up saying something like, "Muy bien. Tu pintura es buena." - "Well done. Your picture is good."
Just the phrase "muy bien" by itself might be interpreted as "very well", but is often used where we might say "OK" or "good" in English.
Also, you can say "bien hecho" for "well done."
In addition; don't forget "Buen" which is also good.
"Buen trabajo" good work, good job
From the Dictionary - Used only before a masculine noun.
