elegante
/eleˈɡante/
The English word 'chic' can be translated into Spanish as elegante.
The term elegante is the standard and most common way to describe something that is elegant, classy or stylish. While Spanish speakers may use the loanword chic to denote a very specific high-fashion style, elegante is the versatile, go-to word for general elegance.
Meaning: elegant, stylish (adj)
Which one should you use?
elegante is the standard term for anything elegant or classy, whereas the loanword chic is used more specifically to denote a high-fashion style.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, if you want to say something is 'fashionable,' you can use the phrase a la moda.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective elegante is invariant for gender, so it remains the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine noun. To describe multiple items, change the form to the plural elegantes to match the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/eleˈɡante/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, describing a person as elegante can occasionally imply they are acting 'stuck up' or 'pretentious' rather than just being stylish.
- In Spain, you might hear the slang term pijo to describe someone who is 'chic' in a way that is perceived as posh or upper-class.
- While elegante is the standard word, you might hear the slang term fino to describe someone with high-class or 'chic' tastes in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- Una de las ventajas de mi promoción es una elegante oficina en la esquina con una gran vista del horizonte.One of the perks of my promotion is a chic, corner office with a great view of the skyline.This sentence shows how to use elegante to describe an office.Tatoeba #5148540 by albrusgher, translation #626453 by darinmex
- El vestido que lleva es muy elegante.The dress she's wearing is very chic.
- Los diseñadores presentaron una colección muy estilosa en la pasarela.The designers showcased a very chic collection on the runway.
- Esos zapatos están muy a la moda.Those shoes are very chic.
- Ella lleva un vestido muy elegante.She is wearing a very elegant dress.
- El nuevo restaurante es bastante elegante.The new restaurant is quite elegant.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are at a fashion boutique.
- Daniel¿Qué te parece este abrigo, Lucía?What do you think of this coat, Lucía?
- LucíaEs un diseño muy elegante.It is a very elegant design.
- DanielMe gusta, pero parece algo caro.I like it, but it looks a bit expensive.
- LucíaVale la pena para lucir así.It is worth it to look this way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry elegante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
