Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
That's Good in Spanish: Qué bien
Qué bien · phrase · keh bee-EHN
The English phrase 'that's good' is most naturally expressed as 'qué bien' in Spanish, conveying enthusiastic approval or relief. Other common translations include 'está bien' for neutral acknowledgment and 'qué bueno' for expressing pleasant surprise or satisfaction.
keh bee-EHN
¿Aprobaste el examen? ¡Qué bien!
You passed the exam? That's good!
That's Good in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for that's good, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| qué bien | that's good | keh bee-EHN | Default, widely understood |
| está bien | that's good | neutral acknowledgment | |
| qué bueno | that's good | Latin America | |
| muy bien | that's good | general approval |
How Native Speakers Use Qué bien
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Reacting to news
¿Conseguiste el trabajo? ¡Qué bien, felicidades!
You got the job? That's good, congratulations!
Enthusiastic response to someone's positive news.
Casual agreement
La reunión se canceló. —Está bien, así descanso.
The meeting was canceled. —That's good, I'll rest then.
A relaxed acknowledgment of a change in plans.
Relieved response
Ya llegaron todos sanos y salvos. ¡Qué bueno!
Everyone arrived safe and sound. That's good!
Expressing relief after hearing reassuring information.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Qué bien
Literal translation
Incorrect: Eso es bueno que viniste.
Correct: Qué bueno que viniste.
Translating 'that's good' word-for-word as 'eso es bueno' sounds stiff in Spanish. The exclamatory 'qué bueno' or 'qué bien' is far more natural.
Tone mismatch
Incorrect: Bien. (flat, single word)
Correct: ¡Qué bien!
Responding with just 'bien' can sound dismissive or uninterested. Adding 'qué' before 'bien' transforms it into a warm, enthusiastic reaction.
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Common Questions About That's Good in Spanish
- How do you say 'that's good' in Spanish?
- The most natural translation is '¡qué bien!' for enthusiastic approval, or 'está bien' for calm acknowledgment. In Latin America, '¡qué bueno!' is also extremely popular and carries a warm, positive tone.
- What is the difference between 'qué bien' and 'está bien'?
- 'Qué bien' expresses genuine enthusiasm or happiness about something, while 'está bien' is more neutral and can simply mean 'okay' or 'that's fine.' Choosing between them depends on how much excitement you want to convey.
- Can I just say 'bueno' to mean 'that's good'?
- Using 'bueno' on its own works in some contexts, but it functions more like 'okay' or 'alright' than 'that's good.' To sound genuinely pleased, Spanish speakers typically opt for '¡qué bueno!' or '¡qué bien!' with an exclamatory intonation.