Inklingo

How to Say "show-off" in Spanish

English → Spanish

engreído

nounB2informal
Use 'engreído' when referring to a person who is conceited and boasts about their abilities or achievements, believing themselves to be superior to others.

Examples

Ese engreído cree que es mejor que los demás.

That stuck-up person thinks he is better than the rest.

fantasma

fahn-TAHS-mahfanˈtasma

nounB2informal
Choose 'fantasma' for someone who talks big and boasts excessively but doesn't actually follow through with their claims or actions; they are all talk.
A brightly dressed figure standing on a small stage, proudly displaying a large, shiny gold medal and smiling boastfully.

Examples

No le hagas caso, solo es un fantasma que habla mucho pero no hace nada.

Don't pay attention to him, he's just a show-off who talks a lot but doesn't do anything.

Pensé que era millonario, pero resultó ser un fantasma.

I thought he was a millionaire, but he turned out to be a phony.

Referring to People

When used for a person, 'fantasma' usually keeps the masculine article 'el' even if referring to a woman (Elisa es un fantasma). This usage is very common in Spain.

Confusing literal and figurative use

Mistake: “El jefe es muy fantasma (meaning: The boss is very ghostly).”

Correction: El jefe es muy presumido/un fantasma (meaning: The boss is very conceited/a show-off). Use 'un fantasma' or switch to an adjective like 'presumido'.

chuleta

choo-LEH-tahtʃuˈleta

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'chuleta' as an adjective to describe someone who behaves arrogantly and acts like they know more or are better than they actually are.
A person standing with a confident, boastful posture and a smirk.

Examples

No seas tan chuleta, que no sabes tanto como dices.

Don't be so cocky, you don't know as much as you say.

Ese chico es un poco chuleta, siempre está presumiendo de su coche.

That guy is a bit of a show-off; he's always bragging about his car.

Me cayó mal porque entró en la fiesta con aires de chuleta.

I didn't like him because he walked into the party acting all cocky.

Gender Consistency

Even though it ends in 'a', this word stays the same for both men and women: 'él es un chuleta' and 'ella es una chuleta'.

Chulo vs. Chuleta

Mistake: “Thinking 'chulo' and 'chuleta' are always negative.”

Correction: 'Chulo' can mean 'cool' or 'pretty' in Spain, but 'chuleta' for a person is almost always a bit negative or mocking.

Choosing Between Boasting and Arrogance

Learners often confuse 'engreído' and 'fantasma' because both describe boastful people. Remember that 'engreído' focuses more on the person's inner conceit and belief of superiority, while 'fantasma' emphasizes the empty talk and lack of action behind the boasting.

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