If you’d like to say “very good” in Italian, you’d generally say molto bene. But that’s not the only option! Many informal or even slang phrases convey the same sense of enthusiasm and positivity. The key is knowing when and how to use each expression.
This guide breaks down the most useful Italian phrases that mean “very good.” Bookmark this page so you can return to it whenever you need a quick reminder—and don’t forget to practice them in real-life conversations!
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How do you say ‘very good’ in Italian?
There are many ways to say “very good” in Italian, depending on the situation and tone. You can express the same meaning by:
- adding a superlative suffix like “-issimo” (similar to “-est” in English)
- using synonyms of “very,” such as assai (very much)
- adding prefixes like “super-“, “iper-“, “arci-“, or “ultra-“
- repeating the adjective, such as bene bene (well well)
Molto bene
The direct translation of “very good” in Italian is molto bene. It’s a go-to expression that works well to answer questions.
- Come stai? = How are you?
- Molto bene, grazie! = Very good, thanks!*
You can use it to give positive feedback.
- Ho finito i compiti. = I finished my homework.
- Molto bene. = Very good.
Molto bene also specifies a quality.
- Fare sport fa molto bene alla salute. = Doing sports is very good for your health.
Depending on the context and region, “very” can be replaced by synonyms like:
- bene assai = very good (Southern Italy)
- davvero bene = really good
- decisamente bene = definitely good
*Politeness is key in Italian culture. Learn how to say thank you in Italian, and always use prego when replying. It’ll make you sound well-mannered in any conversation!
Benissimo
Another great option to say “very good” in Italian is benissimo (extremely good). You form it by adding the superlative suffix:
- ben + issimo = benissimo
This word is friendly and more enthusiastic than molto bene.
- Sto benissimo! = I’m feeling very good!
- Hai fatto benissimo! = You did very good!
Adding prefixes to bene can also create strong Italian words, like strabene, superbene, and iperbene. These all mean “very good” but are best used in casual, spoken Italian, or informal texting.
Eccellente
This adjective is closer to the English “excellent.” It’s more common in formal or professional settings or when giving high praise.
- Il servizio al ristorante è stato eccellente. = The service at the restaurant was very good.
Perfetto
There is nothing better than using Italian cognates as shortcuts! Perfetto means “perfect” literally, but it can also mean “very good.” It’s also great for confirming plans or appreciating something.
- Hai seguito le istruzioni alla lettera. Perfetto! = You followed the instructions exactly. Very good!
Fantastico
Fantastico (fantastic) is another enthusiastic cognate that is easy to remember and can replace “very good” in Italian.
- Com’era il viaggio? = How was the trip?
- È stato fantastico! = It was very good!
How to use ‘very good’ for people, food, or things
Sometimes bene (good) isn’t quite the right word. Other Italian adjectives fit the context better when describing a person, food, or thing.
Molto buono
Molto buono is the best choice to describe food, drinks, or a moral quality.
- Questo tiramisù è molto buono. = This tiramisu is very good.
- Hai fatto una cosa molto buona. = You did a very good thing.
- È una persona molto buona. = He/she is a very good person.
Molto bello
Use molto bello for places, objects, or a person’s appearance.
- Quel film è molto bello. = That movie is very good!
Molto bravo
Choose molto bravo when you talk about someone’s skills or performance.
- Sei molto bravo a cucinare! = You’re very good at cooking!
Italian slang for ‘very good’
Want to sound like a local? Try these Italian slang expressions for “very good.” But remember, they’re best for informal situations!
- da Dio = like God (literally)
- Abbiamo cenato da Dio! = Dinner was insanely good!
- da paura = scary good (literally)
- una serata da paura = a very good evening
- a bomba/una bomba = like a bomb
- una bomba di weekend = a very good weekend
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