"Bueno" and "Bien" in relation to actions.

Question

As I understand it, the difference between "Bueno" and "Bien" is as follows:

Bueno = Good - (Modifies an object) (Can be male of feminine or singular/plural ) Bien = Well - (Modifies an action) (Doesn’t change with gender)

But that in my book it says the following: Ella es muy buena en artesanías y decoraciones hechas a mano. She is very good at handmade crafts and decorations.

Why is "Buena" being used? Shouldn't it be "bien" as it describes and action?

welcome to the forum, :) - 006595c6, Aug 28, 2017

Answer 1

Ella es muy buena en artesanías y decoraciones hechas a mano. She is very good at handmade crafts and decorations.

In this context, it's buena because it's feminine & should match the gender & number.

But I don't understand. Isn't the sentence referring to an action (and not an object)?

Buena is an adjective & the verb is es. The verb "es" here is description.

But I don't understand. Isn't the sentence referring to an action (and not an object)? - big_smile, Aug 27, 2017

The adjective is applied to her: She's very good at........ - 00fac92a, Aug 27, 2017

"Buena" here refers to the subject "ella." - Daniela2041, Aug 27, 2017

That makes sense. Thanks! - big_smile, Aug 28, 2017

Answer 2

Ken already said it:

to be good at - ser buena en/ ser muy buena haciendo algo

This is more of an expression than anything else.

I mean , look at the English.

She is very good. Ella es muy buena.

She is very good at playing tennis. Ella es muy buena jugando al tenis.

She is very good at Maths. Ella es muy buena en mates.

as you can see it has the same structure...which in itself is a small miracle

Answer 3

Like in English linking verbs don't need an adverb, in this case "bien"

The most typical English and Spanish linking verbs are to be and ser or estar respectively.

The book is good. (Verb to be + adjective good.)
The book is well is incorrect, right?

Él es muy bueno. (verb ser + adjective bueno)
Ella es muy buena ( verb ser+ adjective buena)
Ellos son muy buenos (verb ser + adjective buenos)
Ellas son muy buenas. (verb ser+ adjective buenas)

Answer 4

This is like the difference in English between:

She is a good tennis player. (good - adjective, modifies tennis player)
She plays tennis well. (well - adverb, modifies plays, a verb)

She is good at tennis. (good - adjective, modifies She, could say great, terrific, etc. )

:) - 006595c6, Aug 27, 2017

So just to double check. Well is Bien. Good is "Bueno" and "Bien" - big_smile, Aug 28, 2017