Adjectives in Italian are frequently used after nouns. Bello and buono are also used before nouns. In this post, you’ll learn how to use Italian Adjectives BELLO & BUONO to avoid mistakes.
ADJECTIVE BELLO
When the adjective bello comes before nouns, acts differently and follows the definite article rule.
Bello is shortened to bel when a noun begins with a consonant. Bello is apostrophized when a word begins with a vowel. The plural of bel is bei, whereas the plural of bell’ is begli.
- When a noun begins with a consonant – but s+consonanx -/ z / ps / gn / – bello is shortended in bel
- When a noun begins with a vowel, bello is apostrophized)
✏️ More Examples:
un uomo bello
but
un bell’uomo
The plural form of bel is bei and the plural form of bell’ is begli
due bei libri ➠ due begli uomini
You may use the rule you learned to use the determinative articles to help you remember how to apply this adjective BELLO.
SINGULAR | PLURAL | ||||
MASCULINE | il libro | il bel libro | i libri | i bei libri | |
lo stadio | il bello stadio | gli stadi | i begli stadi | ||
l’uomo | il bell’uomo | gli uomini | i begli uomini |
❗️ Bella, the feminine adjective, works similarly to all other adjectives.
SINGULAR | PLURAL | ||||
FEMININE | la ragazza | la bella ragazza | le ragazze | le belle ragazze | |
l’idea | la bella idea | le idee | le belle idee |

Adjective BUONO
When the adjective Buono comes before nouns, acts differently and follows the indefinite article rule.
Buono is shortened to buon when a masculine noun begins with a consonant or a vowel. Buono is used with masculine nouns starting with s+consonant, z, ps, gn and x.
The plural form is always Buoni.
Examples:
un buon libro
un buon film
un buon uomo
un buono studente
SINGULAR | ||
MASCULINE | Un bambino Uno studente | Un buon bambino Un buono studente |
FEMININE | Una ragazza Un’amica | Una buona ragazza Una buon’ amica |

If BELLO and BUONO come after a noun, they follow the regular adjective rule.

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