Inklingo

How to Say "cool" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cool” is “genial” — use 'genial' to express that something is generally great, awesome, or neat, often in response to news or an idea..

genial🔊A2

Use 'genial' to express that something is generally great, awesome, or neat, often in response to news or an idea.

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guay🔊B1

Use 'guay' to describe something as excellent, fashionable, or impressive, especially when referring to trends or personal style.

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chulo🔊A2

Use 'chulo' to describe an object or person's stylish or attractive appearance.

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fresco🔊A1

Use 'fresco' primarily to describe a temperature or a feeling of coolness, not typically for approval.

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legal🔊A2

Use 'legal' in informal contexts to mean awesome or great, similar to 'cool' in American English.

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padre🔊B2

Use 'padre' as slang, particularly in Mexico, to mean 'great' or 'awesome' when referring to something impressive.

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suave🔊B2

Use 'suave' to describe something as stylish, impressive, or 'slick', often used for cars or fashion.

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cañónC1

Use 'cañón' to describe something as very impressive or awesome, conveying a strong sense of admiration.

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guau🔊A2

Use 'guau' as an interjection to express general approval or surprise, similar to 'wow', but often less emphatic than other 'cool' translations.

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geniales🔊A1

Use 'geniales' (plural of genial) to describe multiple ideas, things, or people as great or fantastic.

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English → Spanish

genial

/kheh-nyahl//xeˈnjal/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'genial' to express that something is generally great, awesome, or neat, often in response to news or an idea.
A group of stylized, joyful cartoon characters cheering enthusiastically with bright smiles and raised arms, surrounding a single, perfectly ripe, glowing red apple.

Examples

¡Qué genial que vienes a la fiesta!

How cool that you're coming to the party!

La película fue genial, me encantó.

The movie was great, I loved it.

Tus amigos son geniales.

Your friends are great/awesome.

Making 'genial' Match

Like most describing words (adjectives), 'genial' needs to match the thing it's describing. If the thing is plural, add an '-es' to make 'geniales'. For example: 'un plan genial' (one great plan) vs. 'unos planes geniales' (some great plans).

Describing a Mood

Mistake: “Él está genial hoy.”

Correction: To say someone is in a great mood, it's more natural to say 'Él está de muy buen humor'. Saying 'es genial' describes the person's character ('he's a great person'), not their temporary feeling.

guay

gwa-ee/ˈɡwai/

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'guay' to describe something as excellent, fashionable, or impressive, especially when referring to trends or personal style.
A pair of oversized, colorful, and sleek retro sunglasses resting on a bright solid colored surface, symbolizing something fashionable and cool.

Examples

¡Qué guay es tu camiseta nueva!

Your new T-shirt is so cool!

Hemos ido a la playa y el día ha sido súper guay.

We went to the beach and the day was super great/awesome.

¿Vamos al cine? ¡Guay!

Shall we go to the cinema? Cool!

Always the Same

Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'guay' does not change its ending based on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. It's always 'guay'.

Using the wrong form

Mistake: “La gente es muy guaya. (Trying to make it plural/feminine)”

Correction: La gente es muy guay. (Keep it simple! It never changes its form.)

chulo

/CHOO-loh//ˈtʃulo/

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'chulo' to describe an object or person's stylish or attractive appearance.
A pair of bright red, stylish sneakers on a plain yellow background.

Examples

¡Qué zapatos más chulos tienes!

What cool shoes you have!

Ese restaurante es muy chulo.

That restaurant is really neat.

Describing Objects

When you use this to describe things, it usually means 'cool' or 'pretty.' Remember to change it to 'chula' if the thing you are talking about is feminine, like 'una casa chula'.

fresco

FRES-koh/ˈfɾesko/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'fresco' primarily to describe a temperature or a feeling of coolness, not typically for approval.
A smiling child enjoying a pleasant, cool breeze while sitting on a porch swing, wearing a light sweater.

Examples

Necesitas una chaqueta, el aire está fresco.

You need a jacket, the air is cool.

Prefiero las mañanas frescas de primavera.

I prefer the cool spring mornings.

Adjective Agreement

Remember that 'fresco' must match the thing it describes. Use 'fresco' for masculine singular nouns (el aire), 'fresca' for feminine singular (la mañana), 'frescos' for masculine plural, and 'frescas' for feminine plural.

Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar' for Weather

Mistake: “El día es fresco. (When talking about today's weather)”

Correction: Hoy hace fresco. (Use the phrase 'hacer fresco' to talk about the current temperature of the day.)

legal

leh-GAHL/leˈɣal/

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'legal' in informal contexts to mean awesome or great, similar to 'cool' in American English.
A brightly colored cartoon hand giving a clear thumbs-up gesture, symbolizing approval, coolness, or being awesome.

Examples

¡Esa nueva canción está super legal!

That new song is super cool!

¿Vamos al cine? ¡Sí, legal!

Shall we go to the cinema? Yes, awesome!

Conocí a tu hermano, es muy legal.

I met your brother, he's really great (a good person).

Use with 'Ser' or 'Estar'

When 'legal' means 'cool' or 'great,' you usually use the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) to describe a current state or atmosphere, or 'ser' (to be permanently) to describe a person's personality.

Using 'Legal' in Formal Settings

Mistake: “El presidente dijo que la nueva ley es muy legal.”

Correction: El presidente dijo que la nueva ley es muy buena. (Using 'legal' as 'cool' in formal settings sounds inappropriate.)

padre

/PA-dray//ˈpa.dɾe/

adjectiveB2slang
Use 'padre' as slang, particularly in Mexico, to mean 'great' or 'awesome' when referring to something impressive.
Two teenagers smiling and giving each other a thumbs-up, looking impressed.

Examples

¡Qué padre está tu chamarra!

Your jacket is so cool!

El concierto estuvo padrísimo.

The concert was awesome.

Me la pasé muy padre en la fiesta.

I had a really great time at the party.

Making it Superlative

To say something is 'really cool' or 'awesome,' you can add '-ísimo' to the end, making it 'padrísimo'. Remember that this ending has to match what you're describing: 'padrísima' for feminine things.

suave

/SWAH-veh//ˈswa.βe/

adjectiveB2slang
Use 'suave' to describe something as stylish, impressive, or 'slick', often used for cars or fashion.
A stylish anthropomorphic fox wearing simple, dark sunglasses and a red jacket, standing confidently.

Examples

Ese carro nuevo está súper suave.

That new car is super cool/slick.

Con esa chaqueta y gafas de sol, te ves muy suave.

With that jacket and sunglasses, you look very smooth/stylish.

Su forma de bailar es tan suave, parece que no le cuesta nada.

His way of dancing is so smooth, it looks like it takes no effort.

Temporary vs. Permanent

Use 'ser' (es suave) to describe someone's inherent personality or style. Use 'estar' (está suave) to describe a temporary feeling or a specific object that is currently cool or pleasant.

cañón

adjectiveC1informal
Use 'cañón' to describe something as very impressive or awesome, conveying a strong sense of admiration.

Examples

¡Qué cañón está tu coche nuevo!

Your new car is so cool/awesome!

guau

/gwou//ɡwau/

interjectionA2general
Use 'guau' as an interjection to express general approval or surprise, similar to 'wow', but often less emphatic than other 'cool' translations.
A child looking up with wide eyes and an open mouth, expressing intense surprise and admiration at a large, brightly colored butterfly flying nearby.

Examples

¡Guau! No sabía que podías dibujar tan bien.

Wow! I didn't know you could draw so well.

Terminaste todo el proyecto en un día. ¡Guau!

You finished the whole project in one day. Wow!

Vimos la película y ¡guau!, fue la mejor del año.

We saw the movie and wow, it was the best of the year.

Showing Emotion

This is a simple, powerful way to show genuine surprise, enthusiasm, or admiration, just like saying 'Wow' in English.

Formal Settings

Mistake: “Using '¡Guau!' in a business meeting or formal presentation.”

Correction: In formal settings, use '¡Qué interesante!' (How interesting!) or '¡Qué impresionante!' (How impressive!) instead.

geniales

heh-nee-AH-les/xeˈnjales/

adjectiveA1informal
Use 'geniales' (plural of genial) to describe multiple ideas, things, or people as great or fantastic.
Two anthropomorphic, smiling golden stars high-fiving enthusiastically, symbolizing something excellent or great.

Examples

Tus ideas para la fiesta son geniales.

Your ideas for the party are great (or fantastic).

Mis amigos nuevos son muy geniales.

My new friends are very cool.

¡Qué geniales son esas zapatillas!

Those sneakers are so awesome!

Always Plural

'Geniales' is the plural form of 'genial.' You use it only when describing two or more people or things.

Choosing Between Approval and Style

The most common mistake is using words like 'fresco' (cool temperature) when you mean 'cool' as in 'awesome' or 'stylish'. Always consider if you are describing a feeling/temperature or giving praise/describing appearance.

Related Translations

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