Choosing between good and well depends on whether you need an adjective or an adverb, so it helps to identify what kind of word is required in the sentence.
Good
Use good when describing a noun or when an adjective is needed to show quality, ability, or effect.
Examples
Ella es una buena profesora que se preocupa por sus estudiantes.
More about Good
Good can also appear after linking verbs to describe a subject's quality or state.
Well
Use well when describing how an action is performed, so it functions as an adverb; it can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Examples
More about Well
Well can sometimes mean health, and it can follow linking verbs when referring to condition rather than quality.
Special Cases
Some expressions and contexts prefer one word over the other due to idiomatic usage or subtle meaning differences.
Summary
Remember: use good for adjectives that describe nouns or subjects, and use well for adverbs that describe actions or manner; when in doubt, consider whether a noun or verb is being described.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025