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"Chévere" is an adjective which is often translated as "great", and "buena onda" is a phrase which is often translated as "nice". Learn more about the difference between "chévere" and "buena onda" below.
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!
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!
