Inklingo

How to Say "popular" in Spanish

English → Spanish

popular

poh-poo-LAHR/po.puˈlaɾ/

adjectiveA2general
Use this translation when something is generally well-liked by many people, or when it is common and widespread.
A bright red soccer ball is being enthusiastically chased by five smiling children on a sunny green field, illustrating something well-liked or common.

Examples

Esa banda de música se hizo muy popular en España.

That music band became very popular in Spain.

Es un destino turístico muy popular durante el verano.

It is a very popular tourist destination during the summer.

La comida rápida es popular por ser barata y rápida.

Fast food is popular because it is cheap and quick.

El gobierno debe escuchar la voluntad popular.

The government must listen to the popular will (the will of the people).

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'popular' is the same whether you are describing a masculine person/thing (el libro popular) or a feminine person/thing (la canción popular). It only changes for the plural: populares.

Formal Contexts

When you see 'popular' used in conjunction with words like 'voto,' 'soberanía,' or 'voluntad,' it usually means that the item is directly connected to or derived from the citizens of a country.

popular

poh-poo-LAHR/po.puˈlaɾ/

adjectiveB1formal
Use this translation when referring to something that relates directly to or originates from the general public or the people.
A bright red soccer ball is being enthusiastically chased by five smiling children on a sunny green field, illustrating something well-liked or common.

Examples

El gobierno debe escuchar la voluntad popular.

The government must listen to the popular will (the will of the people).

Esa banda de música se hizo muy popular en España.

That music band became very popular in Spain.

Es un destino turístico muy popular durante el verano.

It is a very popular tourist destination during the summer.

La comida rápida es popular por ser barata y rápida.

Fast food is popular because it is cheap and quick.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'popular' is the same whether you are describing a masculine person/thing (el libro popular) or a feminine person/thing (la canción popular). It only changes for the plural: populares.

Formal Contexts

When you see 'popular' used in conjunction with words like 'voto,' 'soberanía,' or 'voluntad,' it usually means that the item is directly connected to or derived from the citizens of a country.

pop

/pohp//pop/

adjectiveA2informal
Use this translation when describing a style, sound, or product that appeals to mass culture, often in music or entertainment.
A brightly colored red star figure wearing oversized yellow sunglasses, symbolizing popular culture.

Examples

Esa banda tiene un sonido muy pop.

That band has a very pop sound.

El arte pop de Andy Warhol es famoso en todo el mundo.

Andy Warhol's pop art is famous worldwide.

Adjective Stays Invariable

When used as an adjective, 'pop' usually doesn't change its ending to match the noun's gender or number (e.g., 'tendencia pop,' 'estilos pop').

vulgar

bool-GAR/bulˈɣaɾ/

adjectiveC1academic
Use this translation when referring to the common, everyday language spoken by the general populace, especially in historical contexts.
A single, plain, standard yellow number two pencil lying horizontally on a neutral background, representing something common or ordinary.

Examples

El latín vulgar evolucionó para formar las lenguas romances.

Vulgar Latin evolved to form the Romance languages.

Es un error de dominio vulgar que mucha gente acepta como verdad.

It is a common error that many people accept as truth.

Historical Context

This meaning reflects the word's original connection to the 'vulgus' (the common crowd or people). When you hear it in historical or linguistic contexts, it simply means 'of the people,' without the negative connotation.

Popular vs. Pop

Learners often confuse 'popular' (well-liked, common) with 'pop' (mass-appeal style). Remember, 'popular' is the general term for widespread appeal or commonness, while 'pop' specifically refers to a genre or style that targets a broad audience, especially in music and media.

Related Translations

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