How to Say "cocky" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “cocky” is “chulo” — B1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
English → SpanishB1
adjectiveB1informal
referring to an arrogant attitude

Examples
No te pongas chulo conmigo.
Don't get cocky with me.
Es un poco chulo, se cree el mejor.
He's a bit cocky; he thinks he's the best.
Changing Attitude
Use the verb 'ponerse' (to become/to get) with 'chulo' to describe someone acting cocky in a specific moment.
Ser vs. Estar
Mistake: “Using 'ser' when someone is just being temporarily cheeky.”
Correction: Use 'ponerse chulo' for temporary behavior.
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.