Chinese phrases
How to say cool in Chinese
Cool in Chinese is 酷 (kù) for a look, a style or a person, and 凉快 (liáng kuai) for cool weather. When you react to something, you usually say 好酷 (hǎo kù), “so cool.”
酷
cool (style, attitude)
The “cool” sense of 酷 comes from the sound of the English word, so it describes style, never a cool temperature.
Ways to say cool
酷
Everydaycool (style, attitude)
For a look, a style, or a person who does their own thing: 他很酷, “he’s cool.”
好酷
With friendsso cool!
The reaction when you see something: a new gadget, a tattoo, a trick. 太酷了 is a little stronger.
帅
Everydaycool; good-looking
For a move done well, not only for a face: a great goal, a sharp jacket, a smooth parking job. People say 好帅 or 太帅了.
厉害
Everydayimpressive
For a skill. When English says “that’s so cool, you speak four languages,” Chinese says 你好厉害. In casual speech, 太牛了 says it more strongly.
有意思
Everydayinteresting; a cool idea
For a cool idea, plan or fact: 这个想法很有意思, “that’s a cool idea.”
凉快
Everydaycool (weather, air)
Pleasantly cool air: a summer evening, a shady spot, a room with air conditioning. 今天很凉快, “it’s nice and cool today.”
Common mistakes
酷 for the weather
今天很酷 means the day has style, which makes no sense. For cool weather, say 今天很凉快.
冷 for “nice and cool”
冷 (lěng) means cold, and it sounds like a complaint. A pleasant cool breeze is 凉快.
“Cool” as “OK”
In English, “cool” also means “fine, sounds good.” 酷 cannot do that. When a friend says “see you at six,” answer 好 or 好的.
酷 for “keep cool”
To tell someone to stay cool and calm, say 冷静, “calm down,” or 别着急, “don’t worry.” 酷 is only about style.
A new video
你看，这是我做的视频。
Qiqi: Look, I made this video.
哇，好酷！你怎么做的？
Leon: Wow, so cool! How did you make it?
用手机做的，很简单。
Qiqi: With my phone. It’s easy.
你也太厉害了吧。
Leon: You’re amazing.
