The Italian word bene is both a noun and an adverb.

 

- As a noun it is in the masculine gender and is used to describe someone’s interest, the highest moral condition (il bene), someone’s affection towards someone else, and in the plural (i beni) someone’s possessions / good’s.

It translates in English as good / right / someone’s sake / the goods.

 

Examples:

 

- L’eterna lotta tra il bene e il male. (The eternal fight between good and evil.)

- È un bene che tu sia qui. (It’s a good thin that you’re here.)

- Lo dico per il tuo bene. (I say this for your own sake.)

- Il numero nove mi porta bene. (Number nine is lucky for me.)

- Mio nonno mi ha lasciato tutti i suoi beni. (My grandfather has left me all his possessions.)

 

Some expressions:

 

Augurare ogni bene (a qualcuno) / To wish somebody well

Porta bene (fare qualcosa) / It’s good luck (to do something)

Volersi bene / To love each other

Voler bene a qualcuno / To love someone

 

As an adverb bene translates in English as well / properly / correctly / completely.

 

Examples:

 

Anna è andata a casa, non si sentiva bene / Anna went home, she didn’t feel well

Comportati bene! / Behave yourself!

Se ben ricordo, Anna abita lì / If I remember correctly, Anna lives there

È importante andare bene a scuola / It’s important to do well at school

Una bistecca ben cotta / A well cooked steak

Quel cappotto ti sta bene / You look good in that coat

 

Sometimes it is used as an intensifier.

 

Examples:

 

- Sono ben lontani dal rispondere alle nostre richieste / They’re a long way from answering our requests

- Come ben sai… / As you well know …

- Ben volentieri / With great pleasure

- Ben sveglio / Wide awake

- Sono ben consapevole di ciò / I’m well aware of that

- Ben oltre la mezzanotte / Well after midnight

- Ben più di 100 (or whatever number) / Well over 100

- Con occhi bene aperti / With eyes wide open

 

Bene is also an exclamation.

 

Examples:

 

Bene! Passiamo oltre / Good! Let’s move on

Bene, bravi! / Well done, bravo!

 

Note that the expression non sta bene when used in the impersonal form, followed by a second verb in the infinitive, translates as it’s bad manners to …

 

Examples:

 

Anna non sta bene / Anna doesn’t feel well

 

but:

 

Non sta bene interrompere qualcuno  / It’s bad manners to interrupt

 

Some expressions:

 

Star bene / To feel all right (in good health)

Porta bene (fare qualcosa) / It’s good luck (to do something)

Volersi bene / To love each other

Di bene in meglio / Better and better

Non mi sta bene / I don’t agree

Ben ti sta! / It serves you right!

Stammi bene / Take care

Ben detto / Well said!

 

Note that as an adverb bene has an irregular comparative and superlative.

 

bene —> meglio (comparative / better) —> ottimamente, benissimo (superlative / very well)

 

Examples:

 

Anna sta bene / Anna is all right.

Anna sta meglio / Anna feels better.

Anna sta ottimamente (or, benissimo) / Anna feels great (very well)