Portuguese Phrase
Foi bom.
Meaning
This phrase is a simple way to express that a past event or experience was positive. It uses the preterite form of the verb 'ser' to indicate a completed state or action in the past.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks you how an event, such as a movie, a party, or a meal, turned out. It is a standard, polite response to summarize a positive experience.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Foibom
Foi (Ser)
This is the third-person singular preterite form of 'ser', used here to describe the quality of a past event.
Bom (Adjective)
This adjective means 'good' and modifies the implied subject of the sentence, which is the event being discussed.
🗨In Conversation
Como foi o jantar ontem?
How was the dinner yesterday?
Foi bom. A comida estava excelente.
It was good. The food was excellent.
✕Common Mistakes
Foi bem.
Use the adjective 'bom' to describe a thing or event, whereas 'bem' is an adverb usually used with 'estar' to describe how someone feels.
Era bom.
Use 'foi' for a specific, completed event in the past rather than 'era', which implies a continuous or habitual state.
↔Alternatives
Foi ótimo.
It was great.
Foi legal.
It was cool/nice.
Estava bom.
It was good (often used for food or temporary states).
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'Foi bom' is a very common and neutral way to end a conversation about a recent activity. If you want to sound more enthusiastic, Brazilians often use 'Muito bom!' or 'Foi maravilhoso!' to show higher levels of excitement.