coquetear
“coquetear” means “to flirt” in Spanish (romantic or playful interaction).
to flirt
Also: to toy with, to dabble
📝 In Action
Ella siempre coquetea con el camarero para conseguir bebidas gratis.
B1She always flirts with the waiter to get free drinks.
Juan está coqueteando con la idea de dejar su trabajo.
B2Juan is toying with the idea of quitting his job.
No te tomes en serio sus palabras; solo le gusta coquetear.
B1Don't take his words seriously; he just likes to flirt.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: coquetear
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'He is flirting with her'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Borrowed from the French word 'coqueter', which originally meant 'to strut like a rooster' (from 'coq', meaning rooster).
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'coquetear' only for romantic situations?
No! While it usually refers to romantic interest, you can also use it to mean you are briefly considering an idea or 'dabbling' in a hobby.
What is the difference between 'coquetear' and 'flirtear'?
They mean the same thing. 'Flirtear' is an 'Anglicism' (a word borrowed from English 'flirt'), while 'coquetear' is the more traditional Spanish word.
Is 'coqueta' an insult?
Not usually. It describes someone who likes to flirt or who puts a lot of effort into their appearance to be attractive. It's often used playfully.