Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): La felicidad es buena para la salud.

In Spanish, abstract nouns used in a general or generic sense almost always take a definite article. Here, la felicidad means “happiness” as a broad concept. Omitting la would sound incomplete or overly poetic.

How can I tell that felicidad is feminine?

Most Spanish nouns ending in -d (for example felicidad, amistad, ciudad) are feminine. That’s why we pair felicidad with la and with feminine adjective forms.

Why is the verb es (from ser) used instead of está (from estar)?

Ser expresses inherent, permanent, or defining characteristics. This sentence states a general truth about happiness. Using estar would imply a temporary state or location, which doesn’t fit when talking about an abstract quality.

Why is the adjective buena in the feminine form rather than bueno?

Adjectives in Spanish must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since felicidad is singular and feminine, the correct form is buena, not bueno (masculine) or buenos/buenas (plural).

Why do we use the preposition para in para la salud? Could we use por instead?

Para indicates purpose or benefit (“good for”). Here it conveys that happiness benefits health. Por would suggest “because of” or “due to,” which changes the meaning and wouldn’t express that beneficial relationship.

Can I personalize the sentence by specifying whose health I mean?

Absolutely. Just add a possessive before salud:

La felicidad es buena para mi salud (for my health)
La felicidad es buena para tu salud (for your health)
La felicidad es buena para su salud (for his/her/their health)

Are there other common ways to express this idea in Spanish?

Yes. For example:

La salud se beneficia de la felicidad (“Health benefits from happiness.”)
La felicidad favorece la salud (“Happiness favors health.”)
However, La felicidad es buena para la salud remains the most straightforward and idiomatic way to state the general fact.