algo es cursi
/alɡo es kuɾsi/from spelling rules
The phrase 'something is corny' in Spanish is algo es cursi.
The adjective cursi is used informally to describe things that are overly sentimental, cliché or 'cheesy' in a way that feels cringeworthy. It can also be used to imply a lack of sophistication or that something is tacky in taste.
Which one should you use?
While cursi often refers to sentimental cheesiness, it can also imply a lack of sophistication or being 'tacky'. To express that something is specifically tacky, flashy or in bad taste, you can use the phrase Es hortera.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the phrase es una cursilada is used instead of es una cursilería to mean something is corny.
How do you pronounce it?
/alɡo es kuɾsi/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone cursi can be a playful or affectionate tease between couples, rather than a harsh criticism of their taste.
- The word cursi is used to describe things that try too hard to be elegant or sophisticated but fail, making it a critique of social pretension as much as sentimentality.
- The English word 'is' and the Spanish word 'es' are distant cousins, both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ésti.
Examples in context
- Ese chiste que contó fue muy cursi.That joke he told was very corny.
- Su estilo de vestir me parece un poco cursi.His/her way of dressing seems a bit corny to me.
- No me gusta esa canción, me parece muy cursi.I don't like that song, I find it very corny.
- La película romántica que vimos era muy ñoña.The romantic movie we watched was very cheesy.
- No me gusta ese programa de televisión, es demasiado ñoño para mi gusto.I don't like that TV show, it's too cheesy for my taste.
- La declaración de amor que le hizo fue una cursilería total.The love declaration he/she made was totally cheesy.
- El diseño de ese coche me parece muy hortera.I think the design of that car is very tacky.
- El disfraz que llevaba era una auténtica chorrada.The costume he/she was wearing was truly silly/corny.
- Esa película es muy cursi.That movie is very corny.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking about a romantic card.
- DanielMira esta tarjeta que compré para ti, Sofía.Look at this card I bought for you, Sofía.
- SofíaAy, Daniel, ¡algo es cursi pero me encanta!Oh, Daniel, it's corny but I love it!
- DanielSabía que te gustaría el mensaje.I knew you would like the message.
- SofíaEs el detalle más dulce del mundo.It is the sweetest gesture in the world.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, es, CC BY-SA 4.0.
