When learning Spanish, most people are eager to speak as naturally and fluidly as possible.
Using common slang terms is a big part of this. With that in mind, in this article, you’ll learn 17 words that mean cool in Spanish.
As I’ve included both standard and more casual terms, make sure you look over the examples and descriptions because some of these words are not suitable for all situations. I’ve also included some recordings so you can check and practice the pronunciation.
1. Chido
Chido is the most common word to say cool in Mexican Spanish. This word can refer to people, things, or situations. As an adjective, chido must agree with the number and gender of the noun.
La película está muy chida.
The movie was pretty cool.
¡Qué chido que te dieron el trabajo!
It’s so cool that you got the job!
Tip: You should check my guide on popular Mexican slang words if you’re interested in learning other awesome words like chido.
2. Chévere
Chévere is a popular way to say cool in Latin American Spanish. This term can be used to describe both people and things.
¡Qué chévere! Me alegro por ti.
That’s so cool! I’m happy for you.
El hotel está chévere, ¿no?
The hotel is cool, isn’t it?
Take Note: Chévere is especially common in Central and South America. However, this word is so popular that most Spanish speakers understand it even if they don’t use it.
3. Tranquilo
To ask someone to act or stay cool in Spanish, you should use the word tranquilo. Other variations you could use are:
- Sereno, moreno (Mexican slang)
- Calma
- Tranqui
Tranquilos, yo me encargo.
Stay cool, guys. I’ll handle it.
Take Note: Tranquilo is a common adjective to describe people in Spanish. As a result, it must agree with the gender and number of the noun.
4. Genial
Genial is a standard word you can use to say cool in different Spanish-speaking countries. This term is applied when referring to places, objects, situations or when describing people’s personality.
¡Genial! Te veo mañana, entonces.
Cool! I’ll see you tomorrow, then.
Sería genial si pudieras ayudarme.
It would be cool if you could help me.
5. Bien
Bien is the most appropriate way to say cool in Spanish when expressing agreement or approving a situation. For example:
Sí, suena bien.
Yes, it sounds cool.
Está bien, no te preocupes.
Everything is cool, don’t worry.
Take Note: Frío or fresco are the proper Spanish adjectives if you’re using ‘cool’ to describe the weather or something’s temperature.
6. Bacano
In Colombian slang, bacano is the most common way to say ‘cool’.
¿Te subieron el sueldo? ¡Qué bacano, hermano!
Did you get a raise? That’s so cool, dude!
Bacán is a popular variation that you could find in other South American countries:
Este coche está bacán.
This car is cool.
7. Guay
Guay is the word you want to use to say cool if you’re learning Castilian Spanish. Guay is an informal term to describe places, activities, and situations.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Tú: Ayer vi a Sandra. | You: I saw Sandra yesterday. |
| Tu amigo: ¡Qué guay! ¿Qué tal ha estado? | Your friend: How cool! How has she been? |
8. Buena Onda
Buena onda is an informal expression to describe nice people or positive situations in Latin American Spanish.
Sus papás son muy buena onda.
Her parents are so cool.
¿En serio? ¡Qué buena onda! ¡Felicidades!
Really? That’s cool! Congratulations!
Take Note: In Argentina, buena onda can also be used to talk about places and things.
9. Fresco Como una Lechuga
While its literal translation is “fresh as a lettuce”, fresco como una lechuga is the Spanish version of ‘cool as a cucumber’. So, you can use this idiom to describe a person not affected by pressure.
El examen fue difícil, pero Sally estaba fresca como una lechuga.
The test was hard, but Sally was cool as a cucumber.
Take Note: In other contexts, fresco como una lechuga can be used to express that a person is well-rested.
10. Ser una Pasada
In Spain, ser una pasada or qué pasada can mean ‘cool’, ‘awesome’, or ‘amazing’. However, to keep this meaning, this expression is only used to describe places or objects.
Tus gafas son una pasada.
Your glasses are so cool.
¡La comida está deliciosa y barata! ¡Qué pasada!
The food is delicious and cheap! That’s amazing!
Take Note: Pay attention to the context in which this is used since ser una pasada may also be applied in negative situations.
11. Padre
Padre is another word that means cool in Mexican slang Spanish. When combined with the verb ‘estar’, padre is used to talk about places, activities, or objects.
La fiesta estuvo muy padre.
The party was pretty cool.
The exclamation ¡qué padre! can be used to express joy for a favorable situation:
¿Sí te vas a ir de vacaciones? ¡Qué padre!
Are you going on vacation? Cool beans!
Tip: Mexican Spanish speakers also use the superlative form of padre (padrísimo or padrísima) in these situations. Remember that Spanish superlatives can be used to emphasize sentences.
12. Suave
A couple of years ago, suave used to be a common way to say cool in Latin American Spanish. Even though there may be more popular words to say cool in Spanish, you may still hear suave in some contexts.
¡Qué suave que vas a ir!
It’s so cool that you’re going!
El concierto estuvo suave.
The concert was cool
13. Molón
Molón is an informal adjective that people use to describe nice things or situations. So, molón or molona is close in meaning to ‘neat’ or ‘cool’. This word is only applied in Castilian Spanish.
Andrés tiene una casa molona.
Andres has a cool house.
¿En serio ganaste la lotería? ¡Qué molón!
Did you win the lottery? That’s so cool!
Take Note: In Spanish, molar and flipar are informal verbs that mean ‘to like’. So, these verbs follow the same conjugation rules as verbs like ‘gustar’.
14. El Descueve
To say something is cool in Chilean slang, you can use the expression el descueve.
Tu hermano es el descueve.
Your brother is so cool.
Like many slang words, el descueve may be less common with younger generations.
15. ¡Qué Chivo!
¡Qué chivo! is used in El Salvador to show joy or express that something is pretty or cool.
¿Ese es tu coche nuevo? ¡Qué chivo!
Is that your new car? It’s cool!
Take Note: Chivo has many informal meanings that vary depending on the country and the situation.
16. Nítido
Nítido is a slang word for ‘cool’ or ‘neat’ in Guatemala, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Colombia, and Puerto Rico.
El coche está nítido, hermano.
The car is neat, dude.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Tú: Te llamo en un rato. | You: I’ll call you in a bit. |
| Tu amigo: Nítido. | Your friend: Cool. |
Take Note: In standard Spanish, nítido means ‘clear’ or ‘sharp’.
17. De Poca Madre
When it comes to Mexican swear words, de poca madre is a common way to say that something is cool or amazing. Since this is a coarse expression, you should only use it among your friends.
La fiesta estuvo de poca madre.
The party was so cool.
Julián y sus hermanos son poca madre.
Julián and his brothers are very cool.
Take Note: In Mexican slang, madre has multiple applications. So, the meaning of this word varies depending on the context.