galán
“galán” means “handsome man” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
handsome man
Also: heartthrob, ladies' man
📝 In Action
Tu hermano es todo un galán con ese traje.
A2Your brother is quite the handsome man in 그 suit.
De joven, mi abuelo era el galán del pueblo.
B1When he was young, my grandfather was the town heartthrob.
Se porta como un galán para impresionar a las chicas.
B2He acts like a ladies' man to impress the girls.
leading man
Also: male lead
📝 In Action
Él siempre hace el papel de galán en las telenovelas.
B1He always plays the role of the leading man in soap operas.
Buscamos a un nuevo galán para la película de acción.
B2We are looking for a new leading man for the action movie.
El galán de la obra de teatro olvidó sus líneas.
C1The male lead of the play forgot his lines.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: galán
Question 1 of 3
Which of these people would most likely be called a 'galán'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Old French word 'galant', which comes from 'galer', meaning to make merry or enjoy oneself.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'galán' to describe my boyfriend?
Yes! It is common and often used in a slightly playful or complimentary way.
Is there a feminine version of this word?
While 'galana' exists, it is very rarely used in modern conversation. To describe a beautiful woman, 'guapa', 'bella', or 'hermosa' are much more natural.
Is 'galán' an old-fashioned word?
It has a classic feel, but it's still widely used today, especially when talking about actors or when teasing a friend who is dressed up nicely.