酷
kùslang, borrowed from English
The common Chinese slang for "cool" is 酷 (kù), which sounds like the English word and means the same. Other words are 牛 (niú) for "awesome" and 帅 (shuài) for "stylish".
Meaning: cool, impressive (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 酷 | kù | slang, borrowed from English |
| 牛 | niú | slang, impressive |
| 帅 | shuài | stylish, good looking |
酷 (kù) fits clothes, music, people and ideas, as in 这个很酷 (zhège hěn kù), "this is cool".
Which one should you use?
牛 (niú) literally means "cow" but as slang it praises skill or achievement, for example 你真牛 (nǐ zhēn niú), "you are amazing". 帅 (shuài) is for good looks or a stylish move, mostly of a man.
Is it said differently in some regions?
These words are used in mainland China and in Taiwan, though trends vary by age and city.
Did you know?
- 酷 (kù) was borrowed from English in the late twentieth century, and the original meaning of the character is "harsh" or "cruel".
Examples in context
- 这件外套真酷！zhè jiàn wàitào zhēn kù!This jacket is so cool!
- 你真牛！nǐ zhēn niú!You are amazing!
- 他今天好帅。tā jīntiān hǎo shuài.He looks really sharp today.
Example conversation
Teenagers Kai and Lu look at a new skateboard in a shop.
- Kai你看这个滑板！nǐ kàn zhège huábǎn!Look at this skateboard!
- Lu哇，好酷！wā, hǎo kù!Wow, so cool!
- Kai我想买一个。wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí ge.I want to buy one.
