Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hortera | /oɾˈteɾa/ |
| cutre | /ˈkutɾe/ |
| huachafo | /w̝aˈt͡ʃafo/ |
These terms are used to describe things that are in bad taste. Hortera is frequently used to describe fashion choices, decor or behaviors that are considered outdated or lacking in taste. Cursi is a similar colloquial term specifically used for tackiness related to fashion or interior design.
Which one should you use?
While hortera focuses on a lack of style, cutre is often used to imply that something is of poor quality, cheap or shabby.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you need to describe something as being in bad taste in a formal way, use the phrase de mal gusto. For more casual or informal situations, you can use ordinario/a or the slang term naco/a in certain parts of Latin America. Hortera and cursi are considered colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Peru, the slang term huachafo is used to describe someone or something that is tacky or lacks elegance. In some parts of Latin America, particularly in Mexico, the informal term naco/a is often used to refer to something as tacky.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾˈteɾa/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Eso se ve hortera.That looks tacky.This sentence shows how to use hortera to describe how something looks.Tatoeba #9001609 by arh, translation #8229760 by Hybrid
- Esa decoración es bastante chabacanaThat decoration is quite tacky
- Ese estilo es vulgarThat style is tacky
- Su elección de colores es de mal gustoYour choice of colors is tacky
- Ese atuendo se ve muy ordinarioThat outfit looks very tacky
- ¡Esos muebles son tan cursis!Those furniture pieces are so tacky!
- La elección de colores de su vestido es bastante chabacana. Creo que debería elegir algo más sutil y eleganteThe color choices of her dress are quite tacky. I think she should go for something more subtle and elegant
- ¡Esa película fue patética! Todo parecía diseñado por alguien con mal gustoThat movie was tacky! Everything seemed designed by someone with bad taste
- No puedo creer que le gusten esos objetos cursis de decoraciónI can't believe he likes those tacky decorative items
- Ese vestido es un poco hortera.That dress is a bit tacky.
- No me gusta, es demasiado hortera.I don't like it, it's too tacky.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at a piece of jewelry in a shop.
- Lucía¿Te gusta este anillo?Do you like this ring?
- JavierNo, me parece muy hortera.No, I think it is very tacky.
- LucíaTienes razón, es un poco cutre.You're right, it's a bit tacky.
- JavierBusquemos algo con más clase.Let's look for something with more class.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tacky” translations and entries hortera, cutre, huachafo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cutre, hortera, huachafo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
