How to Say "cool" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “cool” is “cool” — use this English loanword directly when referring to something that is generally great, trendy, or impressive, especially in informal, modern contexts.
cool
koolkul
Examples
Ese coche es muy cool.
That car is very cool.
Tu hermano es una persona muy cool.
Your brother is a very cool person.
¡Qué viaje tan cool hiciste a México!
What a cool trip you took to Mexico!
One word for everyone
Unlike most Spanish adjectives that change based on if you're talking about a man or a woman, 'cool' always stays the same.
Where to put it
In Spanish, you usually place 'cool' after the person or thing you are describing, just like 'un libro cool' (a cool book).
The 'O/A' Trap
Mistake: “Esa chica es coola.”
Correction: Esa chica es cool.
genial
kheh-nyahlxeˈnjal
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-eeˈɡwai
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-lohˈtʃulo
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-kohˈfɾesko
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-GAHLleˈɣal
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.)
caña
Examples
¡Esa película es la caña!
That movie is awesome!
cañón
Examples
¡Qué cañón está tu coche nuevo!
Your new car is so cool/awesome!
chivo
chee-bohˈtʃi.βo
Examples
¡Qué chivo está tu teléfono nuevo!
Your new phone is so cool!
La película estuvo bien chiva.
The movie was really great.
Me parece chivo que vengas con nosotros.
I think it's cool that you're coming with us.
Matching the Noun
Even though it's slang, it still behaves like an adjective. If describing a party (la fiesta), use 'chiva'.
Regional Boundaries
Mistake: “Using 'chivo' for 'cool' in Spain.”
Correction: In Spain, they might think you are talking about a literal goat. Use 'guay' there instead.
padre
PA-drayˈpa.dɾe
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-vehˈswa.βe
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.
geniales
heh-nee-AH-lesxeˈnjales
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.
guau
gwouɡwau
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.
Choosing Between 'Genial', 'Guay', and 'Chulo'
Related Translations
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