Keywords: kù, 酷, cool in Chinese, how to say cool in Mandarin, Chinese slang for awesome, Chinese word for cool, 酷 pinyin, 酷 meaning, loanword, Chinese youth culture.
Summary: Learn how to say “cool” in Chinese with the word 酷 (kù). Originally meaning “cruel,” 酷 is a modern phonetic loanword from the English “cool” and is now one of the most common slang terms in Mandarin. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in daily conversation, from describing a stylish person to exclaiming that something is awesome. Discover how this simple character reflects the influence of Western culture on modern China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): kù
Part of Speech: Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: Cool, stylish, impressive, or awesome.
In a Nutshell:酷 (kù) is the direct Chinese equivalent of the English slang word “cool.” It's a phonetic loanword, meaning the character was chosen because its pronunciation sounds like “cool.” While it historically meant “cruel” or “severe,” this usage is now rare in daily conversation. Today, it's an informal, positive term used widely, especially by younger generations, to express admiration for a person's style, an impressive skill, or a fashionable object.
Character Breakdown
酷 (kù): This character is a combination of two parts:
酉 (yǒu): This is the “wine” or “alcohol” radical. It often appears in characters related to fermented things, ceremonies, or strong spirits.
告 (gào): This part means “to tell” or “to report.”
Combined Meaning: Originally, the character 酷 evoked the harshness or intensity of strong liquor, leading to its classical meaning of “strong,” “severe,” or “cruel.” However, for a modern learner, this etymology is less important than its function as a phonetic loanword. The Chinese language needed a word for the Western concept of “cool,” and kù was the perfect-sounding character to adopt. Its modern meaning has almost completely replaced its historical one in everyday language.
Cultural Context and Significance
A Window into Modernization: The widespread adoption of 酷 (kù) is a perfect example of linguistic and cultural exchange between China and the West. Its popularity, which began in the 1990s, mirrors China's period of opening up and the massive influx of Western pop culture—music, movies, and fashion.
“Cool” in China vs. the West: While the word is borrowed, its cultural flavor is slightly different. In American culture, “cool” can be associated with a certain aloofness, rebellion, or quiet confidence (think James Dean). In China, 酷 (kù) is more often used to express straightforward admiration for something visually impressive, technologically advanced, highly skilled, or fashionable. It's less about rebellion and more about individual expression and being “on-trend” or `潮 (cháo)`.
Shift in Values: The popularity of 酷 (kù) signifies a generational shift. It highlights a move towards appreciating individual style and expression, a contrast to more traditional Chinese values that might prioritize conformity and collective harmony. It's the language of modern, urban youth.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Informal and Expressive:酷 (kù) is almost exclusively used in informal settings among friends, peers, and on social media. Using it in a formal business report or a conversation with a respected elder might seem out of place or overly casual.
Describing People, Things, and Actions:
People: You can call a person 酷 if they have a great sense of style, a confident attitude, or an impressive skill. (e.g., a musician, a skateboarder, someone with a unique haircut).
Things: It's used for cars, gadgets, clothes, and art. Anything with a sleek, modern, or impressive design can be 酷.
Actions: A skillful move in a sport or a clever solution to a problem can be described as 酷.
On Social Media: It's a very common comment on platforms like Weibo (微博) and Douyin (抖音). People often just type a single character, “酷!”, to show approval.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
你今天看起来很酷！
Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān kànqǐlái hěn kù!
English: You look really cool today!
Analysis: A common, friendly compliment. “看起来 (kànqǐlái)” means “to look” or “it seems.” This is a perfect phrase to use with a friend who has a new outfit or hairstyle.
Example 2:
这辆黑色的跑车太酷了！
Pinyin: Zhè liàng hēisè de pǎochē tài kù le!
English: This black sports car is so cool!
Analysis: Here, 酷 is used to describe an object. The structure “太 [adjective] 了 (tài…le)” is a very common way to express “so/too [adjective].”
Example 3:
他不怎么说话，总是酷酷的样子。
Pinyin: Tā bù zěnme shuōhuà, zǒngshì kù kù de yàngzi.
English: He doesn't talk much, he always has a cool/aloof look.
Analysis: The reduplication “酷酷的 (kù kù de)” creates a vivid description. Here, it captures the “aloof” or “unemotional” side of cool, closer to the James Dean archetype.
Example 4:
A: 我刚买了一台新的无人机。B: 酷！
Pinyin: A: Wǒ gāng mǎi le yí tái xīn de wúrénjī. B: Kù!
English: A: I just bought a new drone. B: Cool!
Analysis: Shows 酷 used as a single-word exclamation to express admiration or excitement.
Example 5:
你觉得我这个想法酷不酷？
Pinyin: Nǐ juéde wǒ zhège xiǎngfǎ kù bu kù?
English: Do you think my idea is cool or not?
Analysis: This demonstrates the “A-not-A” (酷不酷) question form, a common way to ask yes/no questions with adjectives in Chinese.
Example 6:
他打篮球的动作非常酷。
Pinyin: Tā dǎ lánqiú de dòngzuò fēicháng kù.
English: His moves when he plays basketball are extremely cool.
Analysis: 酷 can describe an action or a way of doing something, not just a static appearance.
Example 7:
这款手机的设计又酷又简约。
Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de shèjì yòu kù yòu jiǎnyuē.
English: This phone's design is both cool and minimalist.
Analysis: The “又 A 又 B (yòu A yòu B)” structure means “both A and B,” a great pattern for learners to master.
Example 8:
很多人觉得玩摇滚乐很酷。
Pinyin: Hěn duō rén juéde wán yáogǔnyuè hěn kù.
English: A lot of people think that playing rock music is cool.
Analysis: This shows 酷 being used to describe a hobby or activity. “摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè)” is another loanword: “rock and roll music.”
Example 9:
他戴上墨镜，想装酷。
Pinyin: Tā dài shàng mòjìng, xiǎng zhuāng kù.
English: He put on sunglasses, trying to act cool.
Analysis: The verb `装 (zhuāng)` means “to pretend” or “to feign.” `装酷 (zhuāng kù)` is a set phrase meaning “to act cool” or “to pose,” sometimes with a slightly negative or humorous connotation.
Example 10:
那个电影的特效太酷了，我看了三遍。
Pinyin: Nàge diànyǐng de tèxiào tài kù le, wǒ kàn le sān biàn.
English: The special effects in that movie were so cool, I watched it three times.
Analysis: A great example of using 酷 to praise creative or technical work, like film special effects (`特效 tèxiào`).
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing “Cool” (Stylish) with “Cool” (Temperature).
This is the most common mistake for English speakers. 酷 (kù)only means “cool” in the sense of “awesome” or “stylish.” It NEVER refers to temperature.
Incorrect: 今天天气很酷。 (Jīntiān tiānqì hěn kù.)
Correct: 今天天气很凉快。 (Jīntiān tiānqì hěn liángkuai.) - Today the weather is nice and cool.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the Original Meaning in Formal Contexts.
While you will almost always use 酷 (kù) to mean “cool,” be aware that in formal, written Chinese or in specific compound words, it retains its original meaning of “severe” or “cruel.” You won't make this mistake speaking, but it's important for reading comprehension.
Example: The word `残酷 (cánkù)` means “cruel” or “brutal.” You would not say `这个战争很酷 (Zhège zhànzhēng hěn kù)` to mean the war was cool; you would be saying it was brutal.
Mistake 3: Overusing it in Formal Situations.
酷 (kù) is slang. While very common, it's best to avoid it in academic writing, formal speeches, or when trying to show deep respect to an elder. In those cases, words like `优秀 (yōuxiù)` (excellent) or `出色 (chūsè)` (outstanding) are more appropriate.
Related Terms and Concepts
`帅 (shuài)` - Handsome, dashing. Often used for men. While a handsome person is often cool, `帅` focuses on physical appearance, whereas `酷` is more about style and attitude.
`棒 (bàng)` - Great, fantastic. A more general-purpose word for “awesome.” You can say a meal was `棒`, but you wouldn't usually say it was `酷`.
`厉害 (lìhai)` - Impressive, formidable, awesome. This implies a high level of skill or power. Someone who is `厉害` at something is definitely `酷`.
`牛 (niú)` - Awesome, amazing (lit. “cow”). Very popular, informal slang, similar to “badass” in English. It's a bit more intense than `酷`.
`潮 (cháo)` - Trendy, fashionable. From `潮流 (cháoliú)` (trend). This is specifically about being up-to-date with the latest fashions and styles. A very `潮` person is also `酷`.
`有型 (yǒuxíng)` - Stylish (lit. “to have form/style”). Similar to `酷`, but focuses specifically on a person's fashionable appearance and confident bearing.
`残酷 (cánkù)` - Cruel, brutal. A formal word showing the historical, negative meaning of `酷`. (Antonym in modern sense).
`严酷 (yánkù)` - Harsh, severe. Used to describe conditions, like a `严酷的冬天` (harsh winter). Also shows the historical meaning. (Antonym in modern sense).