Learning how to say good in Italian is a simple and useful way to make your conversations more natural. The most common word for good in Italian is “buono,” but there are other forms depending on what you’re describing. Whether you’re talking about food, people, or experiences, knowing how to use “buono” correctly helps you sound more fluent and confident.
You’ll hear this word everywhere in Italy—from restaurants to casual chats. Mastering it will make your Italian sound more natural and friendly.
Say Good in Italian
1. Buono – “Good”
Origin:
From Latin bonus, meaning “good” or “kind.”
Example:
👤 A: Questo gelato è buono!
👤 B: Sì, è delizioso!
Use:
The most common Italian word for “good.” Used for food, objects, or general approval.
2. Bene – “Well / Good”
Origin:
From Latin bene, meaning “well.”
Example:
👤 A: Come stai?
👤 B: Sto bene, grazie.
Use:
Describes actions, health, or emotional state — often means “well” rather than “good.”
3. Bravo – “Good / Well done”
Origin:
From Latin bravus, meaning “courageous.”
Example:
👤 A: Ho finito tutto il lavoro.
👤 B: Bravo!
Use:
Used to praise someone for good performance or effort; changes form (bravo, brava, bravi, brave) based on gender and number.
4. Ottimo – “Excellent”
Origin:
From Latin optimus, meaning “the best.”
Example:
👤 A: Com’è il ristorante?
👤 B: Ottimo!
Use:
Formal or emphatic; used to express top quality or great results.
5. Eccellente – “Excellent”
Origin:
From Latin excellere, meaning “to rise above.”
Example:
👤 A: Il tuo italiano è eccellente!
👤 B: Grazie mille!
Use:
Used to praise high performance or skill; often used in professional settings.
6. Fantastico – “Fantastic”
Origin:
From Greek phantastikos, meaning “imaginary” or “wonderful.”
Example:
👤 A: Il concerto è stato fantastico!
👤 B: Lo so, incredibile!
Use:
Expresses enthusiasm or strong admiration; casual and modern.
7. Perfetto – “Perfect”
Origin:
From Latin perfectus, meaning “complete.”
Example:
👤 A: Tutto pronto?
👤 B: Sì, perfetto!
Use:
Used to express satisfaction, agreement, or precision.
8. Bello – “Beautiful / Good”
Origin:
From Latin bellus, meaning “handsome” or “charming.”
Example:
👤 A: Che bel film!
👤 B: Sì, davvero bello.
Use:
Means “beautiful” or “nice,” but often used to describe good experiences, people, or things.
9. Splendido – “Splendid / Excellent”
Origin:
From Latin splendidus, meaning “bright” or “shining.”
Example:
👤 A: Il tempo oggi è splendido.
👤 B: Sì, perfetto per una passeggiata.
Use:
Used for weather, experiences, or things that are exceptionally good.
10. Meraviglioso – “Wonderful”
Origin:
From Latin mirabilia, meaning “marvels.”
Example:
👤 A: La vista dal balcone è meravigliosa!
👤 B: Che spettacolo!
Use:
Expresses wonder, admiration, or amazement.
11. Stupendo – “Amazing / Great”
Origin:
From Latin stupendus, meaning “astonishing.”
Example:
👤 A: Hai fatto un lavoro stupendo!
👤 B: Grazie, mi sono impegnato.
Use:
Used for praise or strong admiration; very positive and expressive.
12. Grande – “Great / Big”
Origin:
From Latin grandis, meaning “large” or “important.”
Example:
👤 A: Hai vinto la partita!
👤 B: Grande!
Use:
Modern, informal way to show approval or excitement; similar to “awesome!”
13. Ben fatto – “Well done”
Origin:
Literally “well made.”
Example:
👤 A: Ho finito il progetto.
👤 B: Ben fatto!
Use:
Common phrase to praise effort or success; used in schools and workplaces.
14. Eccezionale – “Exceptional / Outstanding”
Origin:
From Latin excipere, meaning “to stand out.”
Example:
👤 A: La tua presentazione è stata eccezionale.
👤 B: Ti ringrazio!
Use:
Formal or strong compliment for great achievements.
15. Buonissimo – “Very good / Delicious”
Origin:
Superlative form of buono.
Example:
👤 A: Ti piace la pizza?
👤 B: È buonissima!
Use:
Used mostly for food or experiences that are “very good” or “amazing.”
FAQs:
1. What’s the most common word for “good” in Italian?
The most common word is “buono.” It’s used to describe food, people, or general things.
2. What’s the difference between “buono” and “bene”?
Buono is an adjective used for things (like “good pizza”), while bene is an adverb used for actions (like “I’m doing well”).
3. How do you say “well done” in Italian?
You can say “Ben fatto” or “Bravo!”, both used to compliment effort or success.
4. How do you say “very good” in Italian?
Say “Molto buono” or “Buonissimo” depending on how strong you want the compliment to be.
5. What’s a casual way to say “good” in Italian?
You can say “Grande!” or “Fantastico!” in friendly, informal conversations.
6. How do you compliment someone in Italian?
You can say “Sei bravissimo!” (You’re really good!) or “Che bello!” (How nice!)
7. Can “bravo” be used for women?
Yes — it changes to “brava” for women, “bravi” for groups of men/mixed, and “brave” for groups of women.
8. How do you say “good job” in Italian?
The most natural way is “Bravo!” or “Bel lavoro!” (Nice work).
9. How do Italians express “good” in emotional ways?
They often say “Che bello!”, “Meraviglioso!”, or “Stupendo!” with strong emotion and tone.
10. Why learn different ways to say “good” in Italian?
Because it helps you sound fluent, emotional, and expressive — just like a native Italian speaker.
Conclusion:
Knowing how to say good in Italian helps you express positivity in any situation—from complimenting food to describing people or experiences. The word “buono” and its variations are used every day, so learning them makes your speech sound more natural and warm. Whether you’re traveling in Italy or chatting with native speakers, using “buono” correctly shows respect for the language and culture.
