Meaning
Expresses that something is of high quality or pleasing.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are known for their 'thumbs-up' culture. Saying 'É muito bom' is almost always accompanied by this gesture, even in professional settings. In Portugal, 'fixe' is the most common informal synonym. While 'muito bom' is perfectly fine, 'fixe' will make you sound like a local. The word 'bué' is frequently used instead of 'muito' to mean 'very' or 'a lot'. It has become popular in Portugal as well. Portuguese in Mozambique often retains a more formal structure, but 'é muito bom' remains the standard for expressing quality in urban centers like Maputo.
The Thumbs Up
In Brazil, always use a thumbs-up when saying this to sound more natural.
Gender Agreement
Always check if the object is masculine (bom) or feminine (boa).
Meaning
Expresses that something is of high quality or pleasing.
The Thumbs Up
In Brazil, always use a thumbs-up when saying this to sound more natural.
Gender Agreement
Always check if the object is masculine (bom) or feminine (boa).
Intensify it!
Add 'demais' at the end ('É muito bom demais!') for extra emphasis.
Regional Slang
Swap 'bom' for 'fixe' in Lisbon to instantly impress locals.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'bom' (bom, boa, bons, boas).
A lasanha da minha avó é muito ____.
'Lasanha' is a feminine singular noun.
Choose the correct sentence to describe a movie you always like.
Qual frase está correta?
Use 'ser' (é) for general qualities and 'bom' (adjective) for nouns.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are praising a group of talented musicians (masculine plural).
Musicians (músicos) is masculine plural.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você gosta de morar em Lisboa? B: Sim, ____.
Living in Lisbon is a general experience/quality.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ser vs Estar with 'Bom'
Regional Variations
Brazil
- • Legal
- • Massa
- • Top
Portugal
- • Fixe
- • Porreiro
- • Ótimo
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA lasanha da minha avó é muito ____.
'Lasanha' is a feminine singular noun.
Qual frase está correta?
Use 'ser' (é) for general qualities and 'bom' (adjective) for nouns.
Situation: You are praising a group of talented musicians (masculine plural).
Musicians (músicos) is masculine plural.
A: Você gosta de morar em Lisboa? B: Sim, ____.
Living in Lisbon is a general experience/quality.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, but it means they are a 'good person' (morally), not that they are 'doing well' (health).
'Bom' is an adjective (good), 'bem' is an adverb (well).
When it means 'very', yes. When it means 'many', it changes (muitos/muitas).
You can say 'muito, muito bom' or 'muitíssimo bom'.
Yes, it's neutral and safe for professional use.
Because the state of the food is temporary while you eat it.
The plural is 'bons'.
No, that would be grammatically incorrect and might sound like slang for 'she is hot'.
'Legal' is more common in casual conversation, but 'bom' is never wrong.
It's a nasal sound. Don't let your lips touch at the end.
Yes, if said with a rolling of the eyes or a specific flat tone.
'Muito ruim' or 'muito mau'.
'Ótimo' is slightly stronger, like 'great' vs 'very good'.
In very casual speech, you can just say 'Muito bom!', but 'É muito bom' is the full sentence.
Related Phrases
É ótimo
synonymIt's great
É excelente
synonymIt's excellent
É legal
similarIt's cool (Brazil)
É fixe
similarIt's cool (Portugal)
É ruim
contrastIt's bad
É mais ou menos
contrastIt's so-so
