Italian Phrase
È sulla buona strada.
Meaning
Literally ‘It is on the good road’, the idiom means that something – a project, a plan, a situation – is progressing well and heading in the right direction.
When to use
Use it when you want to reassure someone that a task, a study, a business venture, or any ongoing effort is moving forward as expected, or when you’re giving a quick status update.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èsullabuonastrada
È (essere)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *essere* (to be). It agrees with the subject, which is implied.
sulla (su + la)
The preposition *su* (on) contracts with the feminine singular article *la* to form *sulla*.
buona (aggettivo)
Adjective *buono* must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it is feminine singular to match *strada*.
strada (sostantivo fem.)
Literal ‘road’, used metaphorically to mean ‘path’ or ‘course of action’.
🗨In Conversation
Come va il tuo nuovo sito web?
How’s your new website coming along?
È sulla buona strada.
It’s on the right track.
✕Common Mistakes
È sul buona strada.
The preposition *su* must contract with the feminine article *la* because *strada* is feminine.
È sulla buono strada.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun *strada*; use *buona*, not *buono*.
È su buona strada.
The article *la* cannot be omitted; the correct form is *sulla*.
↔Alternatives
Sta procedendo bene.
It’s going well.
Va nella giusta direzione.
It’s heading in the right direction.
È in buona direzione.
It’s in a good direction.
Cultural Tip
The expression is common in both formal and informal Italian. While it originates from the literal idea of being on a well‑maintained road, Italians use it for anything from school projects to business plans. Remember that *strada* is feminine, so the adjective must stay feminine even if the subject you’re talking about is masculine (e.g., *Il progetto è sulla buona strada*).