Spanish Conversation · Level 6
89 words
Spanish word
cursi
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkuɾsi/
Meaning
- adjectivetacky
Example
Tu suéter es cursi.
Your sweater is tacky.
More examples
Esa canción es cursi y me aburre.
That song is corny and bores me.
Core concept
Gaudy, overly sentimental ornamentation.
Common phrases
canción cursi
corny song
vestido cursi
gaudy dress
Similar words
pretencioso: Displays exaggerated luxury or importance to seem more sophisticated than it is.
afectado: Adopts an unnatural, overly refined manner or speech that sounds forced.
artificial: Appears manufactured and inauthentic, lacking naturalness or genuineness.
hortero: Looks gaudily flashy and vulgar, producing a cheap, bad-taste impression.
Definition in Spanish
Indica que algo es de mal gusto porque es demasiado sentimental, llamativo o artificioso.
Word origin
Etymology is uncertain but the word arose in colloquial Spanish to label things that aim for charm yet appear excessively sentimental or artificial.
Usage tips
- Cursi describes exaggerated sentiment or showiness rather than low price, so it criticizes taste or manner more than material quality.
Other meanings
- cheesyadjective
Opposites
- sobriounderstatedadjective
Related words
- cursileríacheesinessnoun