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How to Say "tacky" in Spanish

English → Spanish

barato

bah-RAH-toh/baˈɾato/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'barato' when 'tacky' refers to something that looks cheap or of poor quality in appearance, often due to its low cost.
A poorly constructed stuffed toy bear made from mismatched, clashing neon green and pink fabric scraps, with a button eye dangling loosely.

Examples

No me gusta su ropa, siempre parece barata.

I don't like her clothes; they always look tacky/cheaply made.

Ese reloj de plástico se ve muy barato.

That plastic watch looks very trashy/cheap.

ordinario

/or-dee-NAH-ryoh//oɾ.ði.ˈna.ɾjo/

adjectiveB2general
Choose 'ordinario' when 'tacky' implies a lack of refinement or good taste, often bordering on vulgar or common behavior.
A person eating with their hands messy and feet up on a formal dinner table.

Examples

No seas ordinario, no hables con la boca llena.

Don't be rude, don't talk with your mouth full.

Ese chiste fue un poco ordinario para esta cena.

That joke was a bit vulgar for this dinner.

Se comportó de una manera muy ordinaria.

He behaved in a very boorish/vulgar way.

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser ordinario' to describe someone's personality, and 'estar ordinario' to say they are acting rude just in this moment.

The False Friend Trap

Mistake: “Saying 'Eres ordinario' to mean 'You are an average person'.”

Correction: Be careful! In Spanish, calling a person 'ordinario' usually means you think they are vulgar or have no manners. Use 'una persona común' for 'average'.

cursi

/KOOR-see//ˈkuɾ.si/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'cursi' when 'tacky' describes something that is overly sentimental, sweet, or pretentious in a way that lacks genuine class or taste.
A large, fluffy pink plush heart decorated with white lace and shiny glitter.

Examples

No seas tan cursi, no me digas esas cosas delante de la gente.

Don't be so cheesy, don't say those things to me in front of people.

La decoración de la fiesta era un poco cursi con tantos corazones rosas.

The party decorations were a bit tacky with so many pink hearts.

Me parece cursi escribir poemas de amor en servilletas.

I think it's corny to write love poems on napkins.

One word for everyone

This word doesn't change based on gender. You can say 'él es cursi' or 'ella es cursi'—the ending always stays as an 'i'.

Ser vs. Estar with Cursi

Use 'ser' if someone has a cheesy personality, and 'estar' if they are just acting or looking cheesy at a specific moment.

Avoid 'cursa'

Mistake: “Esa película es muy cursa.”

Correction: Esa película es muy cursi. Even if the object is feminine, the word always ends in 'i'.

pegajoso

peh-gah-HOH-soh/pe.ɣa.ˈxo.so/

adjectiveA2general
This translation is only for the literal sense of 'tacky' meaning sticky, like with glue or wet paint.
A slice of bread with a thick layer of golden honey dripping off the side.

Examples

El suelo de la cocina está pegajoso.

The kitchen floor is sticky.

Esa canción es muy pegajosa, no puedo dejar de tararearla.

That song is very catchy, I can't stop humming it.

Hace un calor pegajoso hoy por la humedad.

It's a muggy/sticky heat today because of the humidity.

Matching Gender

The word changes its ending to 'pegajosa' when describing feminine words like 'canción' (song) or 'miel' (honey).

Describing Sensations

Use this word with 'estar' to describe how something feels right now (like a spill) and 'ser' for something that is naturally sticky (like glue).

Using it for Tape

Mistake: “Dame el pegajoso.”

Correction: Dame la cinta adhesiva. 'Pegajoso' describes the feeling, not the object itself.

Distinguishing 'Barato', 'Ordinario', and 'Cursi'

Learners often confuse 'barato' (cheap-looking) with 'ordinario' (lacking taste/common) and 'cursi' (cheesy/sentimental). Remember that 'barato' focuses on the appearance of low quality, 'ordinario' on poor manners or taste, and 'cursi' on excessive sentimentality or pretentiousness.

Related Translations

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