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"Buena onda" is a phrase which is often translated as "nice", and "chévere" is an adjective which is often translated as "great". Learn more about the difference between "buena onda" and "chévere" below.
buena onda(
bweh
-
nah
ohn
-
dah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (colloquial) (likeable) (Central America) (Mexico) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
2. (used to express happiness) (Central America) (Mexico) (Southern Cone)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. excellent
Juanita me dijo que traía cerveza. — ¡Buena onda!Juanita told me she would bring beer. — Excellent!
chévere(
cheh
-
beh
-
reh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (colloquial) (extremely good) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. great (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
La película estaba chévere.The movie was great.
b. fantastic (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Es chévere que te hayan seleccionado!It's fantastic that you were selected!
c. awesome (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Qué chévere es tu ciudad!Your town is really awesome!
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
2. (colloquial) (used to express approval) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. great (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Aprobé el examen de conducir. - ¡Chévere!I passed my driver's test. - Great!
b. cool (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mis padres me regalaron este carro por mi cumpleaños. - ¡Chévere!My parents gave me this car for my birthday. - Cool!
c. that's fantastic (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Vamos a tener otro nieto. - ¡Chévere!We're going to have another grandson. - That's fantastic!
d. that's awesome (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Nos casaremos este otoño. - ¡Chévere!We're going to get married this fall. - That's awesome!
