Meaning
To appear well or healthy, often after an illness or rest.
Cultural Background
In Spain, it is very common to hear '¡Qué buena cara tienes!' as a standard greeting for someone you haven't seen in a few days. It is a way of being 'majo' (nice). In Mexico, the phrase is often used with 'traer' (to bring) instead of 'tener' in informal speech. Argentines might use 'buen semblante' in slightly more formal or medical contexts, but 'buena cara' remains the king of colloquial health compliments.
Use it as a safe compliment
If you want to be nice but don't want to sound like you're flirting, this is the perfect phrase.
Careful with 'No'
Telling someone 'No tienes buena cara' is very direct. Use it only with people you know well.
Meaning
To appear well or healthy, often after an illness or rest.
Use it as a safe compliment
If you want to be nice but don't want to sound like you're flirting, this is the perfect phrase.
Careful with 'No'
Telling someone 'No tienes buena cara' is very direct. Use it only with people you know well.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
María ______ buena cara después de dormir.
The idiom always uses the verb 'tener'.
Fill in the missing adjective (remember gender agreement).
No tienes ______ cara, ¿estás enfermo?
'Cara' is a feminine noun, so it requires 'buena'.
In which situation would you say '¡Qué buena cara tienes!'?
Select the best context:
The phrase is used to comment on a healthy, rested appearance.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Cómo sigue tu madre? B: Muy bien, ya ______.
When talking about health recovery, 'tiene buena cara' is the standard response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMaría ______ buena cara después de dormir.
The idiom always uses the verb 'tener'.
No tienes ______ cara, ¿estás enfermo?
'Cara' is a feminine noun, so it requires 'buena'.
Select the best context:
The phrase is used to comment on a healthy, rested appearance.
A: ¿Cómo sigue tu madre? B: Muy bien, ya ______.
When talking about health recovery, 'tiene buena cara' is the standard response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it is almost exclusively used for people or animals to describe their health/vitality.
In this idiom, the adjective almost always comes before the noun: 'buena cara'.
Similar, but 'estar bien' is how they feel, while 'tener buena cara' is how they look.
Related Phrases
Poner buena cara
similarTo put on a brave face or a smile.
Mala cara
contrastTo look unwell or to look angry/unfriendly.
Dar la cara
builds onTo face up to something / take responsibility.
