Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| cursi | /ˈkuɾsi/ |
| sensiblero | /sensiˈbleɾo/ |
| empalagoso | /empalaˈɡoso/ |
| cutrón | /kuˈtɾon/ |
The term cursi is widely used in informal contexts to describe something as 'corny.' Other terms are used to describe different nuances of being corny, such as being overly sweet or pompous.
Which one should you use?
While cursi refers to sentimentality or lack of taste, empalagoso is used when something is so sweet or sentimental that it becomes physically or emotionally nauseating. If you wish to describe something as corny in a way that is pompous or grandiose, you can use rimbombante.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial slang term rollo patatero is used to describe something as corny or cheesy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cursi is an invariable adjective, meaning it does not change its form for gender. It is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make cursi plural, you add an 's' to form cursis.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkuɾsi/
Did you know?
- The slang term rollo patatero uses the word for 'potato' to describe something 'corny', implying that the subject is as mundane or low-quality as a common tuber.
- The word empalagoso literally describes the physical sensation of eating too much sugar and feeling sick. In a romantic context, it describes a person who is so 'sweet' that it becomes cloying or nauseating.
- The word sensiblero comes from sensible combined with the suffix -ero. While sensible is often a positive trait, the -ero suffix here turns it into a critique of someone who is overly sentimental.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué cursi eres!You're so corny.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is being corny using cursi.Tatoeba #2389427 by Shishir, translation #9524895 by DJ_Saidez
- La película que vi ayer era bastante cursi, llena de clichés románticos.The movie I watched yesterday was quite corny, full of romantic clichés.
- Esa película romántica que vimos anoche era muy cursi.That romantic movie we watched last night was very corny.
- Esa película de amor es muy cursi.That romance movie is very corny.
- No seas tan cursi con las flores.Don't be so corny with the flowers.
Example conversation
Javier and María are watching a romantic comedy at home.
- Javier¿Te gusta esta parte de la película?Do you like this part of the movie?
- MaríaNo, me parece demasiado cursi.No, I find it too corny.
- JavierPero es una escena muy romántica.But it is a very romantic scene.
- MaríaPara ti, Javier, pero a mí no.For you, Javier, but not for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corny” translations and entries cursi, sensiblero, empalagoso, cutrón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cutrón, empalagoso, sensiblero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
