Spanish · Chapter 44 · Lesson 14 · Grammar primer
Intensifiers and downtoners
The whole ladder of degree past plain muy: -isimo, super and requete-, un monton de and la mar de (loads), tan... que; and the downtoners un poco, mas bien, medio and tirando a.
The short version
Bastante is a weaker word than you think
English quite often means very. Spanish bastante sits lower on the ladder, nearer fairly or reasonably, so es bastante bueno is a moderate compliment rather than praise. For the strong English quite, use muy or an -ísimo form. Bastante also doubles as enough, as in no tengo bastante tiempo.
Es bastante bueno.
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