The word 'bom' means "good," expressing something positive or favorable.

ótimo, excelente, boa, positivo, adequado, satisfatório, agradável, maravilhoso, benéfico

ruim, péssimo, terrível, horrível, desagradável

📚 Grammar Notes on "Bom"

"Bom" is a common word for "good" in Portuguese, but its meaning can vary depending on context.

1️⃣ "Bem" as a Synonym

Depending on context, "bem" (well) can also be considered a synonym when referring to a good state of being.

2️⃣ "Bom" is the General Word for "Good"

"Bom" is the standard term for something positive in quality or condition.

3️⃣ "Ótimo" and "Excelente" for a Higher Level

"Ótimo" and "excelente" imply a higher level of "good," meaning "great" or "excellent."

4️⃣ Feminine Form: "Boa"

The feminine form of "bom" is "boa", used when describing feminine nouns.

🎭 Fun and Cultural Facts About "Bom" in Brazil

1️⃣ The Power of "Bom de..."

The phrase "bom de" (good at) is used to highlight skills.

• "Ele é bom de bola" → He’s great at soccer.
• "Ela é boa de papo" → She’s a great conversationalist.

2️⃣ A Name with Meaning

"Bom" appears in many Brazilian place names, like "Bom Jesus", "Bom Conselho", and "Bom Retiro", often referring to religious or historical significance.

3️⃣ "Tá bom" as a Soft No

In Brazilian communication, saying "Tá bom" in a neutral tone might actually mean "I disagree, but I won’t argue". Brazilians tend to avoid direct confrontation, so this phrase is often a polite way to end a discussion.