Bacán
Is this used universally or just in south america? I have a friend in Chile that uses it like I would say "cool" or "sweet" as a exclamation of positive enthusiasm, but that doesn´t quite correspond to the the SpanishDict definition of the word. Can it be used many ways?
Se usa esta expresión en todo latino américa o no más en suramerica? Tengo un amigo chileno que lo utiliza como yo usaría "cool" o "sweet" en ingles, para exclamar entusiasmo positivo, SpanishDict da a entender otra cosa...se puede usar de muchas maneras'
4 Answers
I have only heard this expression in my native Cuba.
Bacán= chévere= Que cachondeo
It's an excellent example for two reasons: 1) Variations exists in spanish regionalmente, and (the most important) 2) There exists a whole body of words, phrases, combinations that you just won't find in a dictionary. I love it when people ask these questions! I've never heard that word, but I'm glad you asked because I just learned something! 
They also use it a lot in my native Colombia, specially in Medellín, by middle class people. They say things like: "Hola bacán", "El hombre es un bacán", and the meaning of it is always the same: cool, chévere.
Does anyone use "buena onda" for a "cool person"?
"Mi novia es muy buena onda."
Or how about: "padre" or "chilo"?
Esa canción está chilo.
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