How to Say “Groovy” in Spanish

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bacán
/baˈkan/
The English word 'groovy' can be translated into Spanish using several different terms depending on the region. If unsure, use bacán. Wiktionary also lists macanudo and guay.
Meaning: cool, neat, interesting (adj)

Ways to say it

“groovy” in Spanish
Spanish IPA
bacán /baˈkan/
macanudo /makaˈnudo/
guay /ˈɡwai/

These terms are used to describe something that is cool, neat, interesting, great or wonderful. You might also use the expression Está en la onda to describe something that is 'with it' or trendy, or Buena onda in Mexico and other Latin American countries to describe a 'good vibe'.

Which one should you use?

While all these words convey a sense of being cool or great, they are highly regional. Guay is a slang term used specifically in Spain, whereas bacán is more common in parts of South America. Macanudo is often used to mean something is wonderful or great in the Southern Cone.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The terms bacán and guay are considered colloquial or slang, making them better suited for informal conversations.

Is it said differently in some regions?

The word bacán is commonly used in Chile, Peru and Colombia. In Spain, you will hear guay for 'cool' and majo/maja for 'nice' or 'groovy'. In Argentina and Uruguay, macanudo is used to mean great or wonderful, while the Argentinean term copado/copada is used to mean something is awesome or cool.

How does it change in a sentence?

The word guay is an invariant adjective, which means it does not change its form to match gender or number. In contrast, macanudo follows standard adjective rules and changes to macanuda when referring to a feminine subject.

How do you pronounce it?

/baˈkan/

Did you know?

  • While guay means 'cool' today, it was historically used as an exclamation of 'woe' derived from the Latin word vae.
  • The phrase Está en la onda means something is trendy, which literally translates to 'It is in the wave'.

Examples in context

  • ¡Ese concierto fue chévere!
    That concert was groovy!
  • Esta banda está en la onda
    This band is groovy.
  • Este lugar tiene buena onda
    This place is groovy!
  • Ese auto es muy bacán.
    That car is very cool.
  • ¡Qué bacán es tu nuevo apartamento!
    Your new apartment is so neat!
  • El plan de hoy suena bacán.
    Today's plan sounds interesting.

Example conversation

Daniel shows Lucía a new gadget.

  1. Daniel

    Mira este reloj, es muy bacán.
    Look at this watch, it's very cool.
  2. Lucía

    ¡Wow, Daniel! Me encanta.
    Wow, Daniel! I love it.
  3. Daniel

    Tiene funciones muy bacanes.
    It has some very neat features.
  4. Lucía

    Tienes que enseñarme a usarlo.
    You have to teach me how to use it.

Sources

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Frank Wayne
Frank WayneHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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