Which one should you use?
While algo mola is a common way to say something is cool in Spain, it is not used in Latin America. In Latin American countries, you would use different expressions such as bacán or padre depending on the region.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase algo mola is informal. If you need to be formal, you should use Es estupendo, which means 'It's great'. Other informal alternatives include Es guay, Está chido, Está bacán/bacano, Está chévere, Está piola, Está paja and Está de pelos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use many different words for 'cool' depending on their location. In Spain, you can use algo mola or Es guay. In Mexico, Está chido is common. In Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, you might hear Está bacán/bacano. In Venezuela and parts of Central America, Está chévere is frequently used. In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile, people say Está piola. In Peru and parts of Ecuador, Está paja is used to mean something is cool or interesting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb molar is used in the third-person singular form mola to express that something is cool or pleasing. If you are talking about multiple things (for example, 'those shoes are cool'), the verb changes to the third-person plural form molan.
How do you pronounce it?
/alɡo mola/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'cool' in Peru, paja, is a high-risk word that can cause offense, as it is a vulgar slang term for masturbation in much of the rest of the Spanish-speaking world.
- The word padre, meaning 'cool' in Mexico, literally translates to 'father'.
- In Spain, the verb molar originally meant to grind or crush something into a powder, similar to how a 'mill' works in English.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking at a new gadget.
- ElenaAlejandro, mira este reloj nuevo.Alejandro, look at this new watch.
- AlejandroEs verdad, algo mola en el diseño.It's true, something is cool about the design.
- Elena¿Crees que es muy caro?Do you think it is very expensive?
- AlejandroNo lo sé, pero me gusta mucho.I don't know, but I like it a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
