llamativo
/ʝamatibo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "jazzy" can be translated into Spanish as llamativo. Wiktionary also lists ostentoso.
Meaning: flashy or showy (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| llamativo | /ʝamatibo/ (from spelling rules) |
| ostentoso | /ostenˈtoso/ |
These terms are used to describe things that are flashy or showy. If you are specifically referring to music that has a jazzy vibe, you can use the informal phrase Con swing.
Which one should you use?
Use llamativo when something is meant to catch the eye or is striking, whereas ostentoso implies a more negative or excessive display of wealth or status.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective llamativo changes its ending to llamativa to agree with feminine nouns and llamativos to agree with masculine plural nouns. Similarly, the adjective ostentoso changes its ending to ostentosa to agree with feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝamatibo/
Did you know?
- The word llamativo comes from the verb llamar, which means 'to call'. Literally, something 'jazzy' in Spanish is something that 'calls' out to you.
- In Spanish, the phrase con swing does not just describe the music. It can describe a person's natural grace or 'jazzy' charisma in the way they walk and talk.
- Using con swing to describe a vibe is an example of 'Spanglish' influence, where the English word 'swing' was adopted into Spanish to describe a specific feeling of rhythm and style.
Examples in context
- Esa banda de jazz toca con mucho swingThat jazz band plays with a lot of jazzy rhythm.
- Ese es un color muy llamativo.That is a very flashy color.
- No quiero un diseño tan llamativo.I do not want such a showy design.
- Llevas un vestido muy llamativo hoy.You are wearing a very eye-catching dress today.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at clothes in a shop window.
- MateoMira ese abrigo, es muy llamativo.Look at that coat, it is very flashy.
- LucíaSí, es demasiado llamativo para mí.Yes, it is too showy for me.
- Mateo¿Prefieres algo más discreto, Lucía?Do you prefer something more discreet, Lucía?
- LucíaExacto, prefiero algo sencillo.Exactly, I prefer something simple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jazzy” translations and entries llamativo, ostentoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llamativo, ostentoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
