kul
/kûːl/
The English phrase "cool" is translated into Croatian as kul.
In Croatian, kul is a slang loanword from English used to mean 'awesome' or 'fashionable' and is distinct from the Croatian word for 'low temperature'.
Meaning: having a slightly low temperature (adj)
Which one should you use?
While kul is used as slang for 'cool' (awesome), the actual adjective for a low temperature is hladan.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form kul is a slang term and is considered informal. Another informal option to convey cool is super.
How do you pronounce it?
/kûːl/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'cool' can mean 'calm', a Croatian speaker would use smiren for a calm person and never kul in that context.
- The word hladan for 'cool' or 'cold' can also describe a person's personality as emotionally distant or unfriendly.
- In the 1990s, the use of kul among Croatian youth was a symbol of Westernization and a desire to connect with global pop culture.
Examples in context
- Taj frajer je zbilja kul!That dude is really cool!This sentence shows how to use kul to describe a person.
- To je sjajna ideja!That's a cool idea!
- Tvoj rad je izvrstan!Your work is cool/excellent!
- Taj film je bio super cool.That movie was super cool.
- Taj novi klub je zaista forsaThat new club is really cool
- Taj restoran je fakat dobarThat restaurant is really cool
Example conversation
Marko and Ivana are walking outside on an autumn day.
- MarkoJesi li primijetila da je zrak kul?Did you notice that the air is cool?
- IvanaJesam, baš mi je ugodno.I did, it's very pleasant for me.
- MarkoIako je kul, sunce i dalje grije.Even though it's cool, the sun is still warming.
- IvanaTo je najbolje vrijeme u godini.That is the best time of the year.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kul, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
