Bien is an adverb. This means that it will modify a verb or an adjective:
BIEN + Verb
BIEN + Adjective
BIEN + Adverb

When BIEN is associated with a verb, it can be translated in English as “fine” or “well”.

Example :

• Estoy bien ==> I am fine.
• Ana trabaja bien ==> Ana works well.

When BIEN is associated with an adjective or another adverb, it can be translated into English as “Very” (In this context, Bien has the function of emphasizing the adjective).

Example :

• El café está bien caliente ==> The coffee is very hot.
• La casa de Juan está bien lejos ==> Juan’s house is very far.

II. Use of BUENO and BUEN

BUENO is an adjective. It will therefore modify a noun and agree in gender and number with the latter. We can find the following forms:

BUENO + Substantive
BUEN + Substantive
BUENA + Substantive
BUENOS + Substantive
BUENAS + Substantive

BUENO can be translated into English as “Good”.

Example :

• Él fue bueno conmigo ==> He was good (kind) to me.
• Buenas noches ==> Good night.
• Ana es una buena amiga ==> Ana is a good friend.

Warning: BUENO vs BUEN !

In the case where the adjective BUENO is placed before a masculine singular noun, an apocope must be made. The final -O of BUENO is therefore subtracted and becomes BUEN.

Example :

• Juan es un buen amigo (Juan is a good friend) ==> CORRECT PHRASE
• Juan es un bueno amigo ==> INCORRECT SENTENCE

On the other hand, when the adjective is placed after the noun, we can use BUENO. This gives:

• Juan es un amigo bueno ==> Juan is a good friend
• Esta receta es buena ==> This is a good recipe

N.B : The word BUEN is particularly used in expressions of greetings, good wishes, etc.

• ¡Buen viaje! ==> Have a good trip!
• ¡Buen día! ==> Have a nice day!
• ¡Buen fin de semana! ==> Have a good weekend!
• ¡Buen provecho! ==> Enjoy your meal!

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