wow

wa-oo/waʊ/

“wow” means “wow” in Spanish (expression of surprise or admiration).

wow

Also: whoa, oh my gosh

InterjectionA1informal

Latin AmericaSpain

A child with wide eyes and an open mouth looking at a large, colorful fireworks display in the sky.

📝 In Action

¡Wow! ¡Qué casa tan increíble!

Wow! What an incredible house!

Wow, no sabía que hablabas tres idiomas.

Wow, I didn't know you spoke three languages.

Wow, me dejas sin palabras con esa noticia.

Wow, you leave me speechless with that news.

Word Connections

Synonyms

guau (wow (traditional Spanish version))
vaya (well/wow)
increíble (incredible)

Antonyms

bah (pfft/whatever)
pff (unimpressed sound)

Common Collocations

¡Wow, qué padre! – Wow, how cool! (Mexico)
¡Wow, qué fuerte! – Wow, that's intense!
un efecto wow – a wow factor

Idioms & Expressions

dejar a alguien con el ojo cuadrado – to leave someone completely amazed (a 'wow' moment)

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: wow

Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is the most formal way to express surprise instead of saying 'wow'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

guau(wow / bark) — Interjection

🎵 Rhymes▼

bacalaomiauchau

📚 Etymology▼

A direct loanword from English, which entered the Spanish language through movies, television, and global social media in the late 20th century.

First recorded: Late 20th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: wowFrench: wow

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'wow' considered a real Spanish word?

While it originated in English, it is so widely used in Spanish-speaking countries that it is recognized as a common loanword, though 'guau' is the version traditionally recognized by language academies.

Can 'wow' be used for bad surprises?

Yes! Just like in English, if someone tells you something shocking or bad, you can say 'wow' to show your disbelief.

How do you pronounce it in Spanish?

It is pronounced almost exactly like the English word, sounding like 'wa-oo'.