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"Ay" is a form of "ay", an interjection which is often translated as "ow". "Qué bueno" is an interjection which is often translated as "that's nice". Learn more about the difference between "ay" and "qué bueno" below.
ay(
ay
)
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
interjection
a. ow
¡Ay! ¡Acabas de pisarme el pie!Ow! You just stepped on my foot!
b. ouch
¡Ay! ¡Cómo duele!Ouch! That really hurts!
a. oh dear
¡Ay! Me han robado todo.Oh dear! All my things have been stolen.
b. jeez
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¡Ay! Me asustaste.Jeez! You scared me.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. cry
Su ay se oyó en todo el recinto.His cry could be heard everywhere.
b. moan
De repente, el perro soltó un ay de dolor.All of a sudden, the dog let out a painful moan.
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qué bueno(
keh
 
bweh
-
noh
)
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
interjection
a. that's nice
¿Así que encontraste un nuevo lugar en el centro por el mismo precio que pagas aquí? ¡Qué bueno!So you've found a new place downtown for the same price you're paying here? That's nice!
b. that's good
Me dieron un ascenso en el trabajo. - ¡Qué bueno! ¡Hagamos una fiesta para celebrar!I got a promotion at work. - That's good! Let's have a party to celebrate!
c. how nice
¿Se van a cambiar a una casa más grande? ¡Qué bueno!You guys are going to move to a bigger house? How nice!
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. it's great
Qué bueno que quieras estudiar medicina. Tu abuela también fue doctora.It's great that you want to study medicine. Your grandmother was also a doctor.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¡Qué bueno que hayan podido venir a visitarnos!I'm so happy you were able to come visit us!
Está lloviendo a cántaros. - Sí, qué bueno que llegaste antes de que empezara la tormenta.It's raining like crazy. - Yeah, I'm glad you got here before the storm started.
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