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"Cursi" is an adjective which is often translated as "corny", and "hortera" is an adjective which is often translated as "tacky". Learn more about the difference between "cursi" and "hortera" below.
cursi(
koor
-
see
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (gaudy)
a. tacky
Ese diseño de florecitas y mariposas me parece muy cursi para un vestido de gala formal.I think the flowers and butterflies design is too tacky for a formal gala outfit.
a. affected
La manera en que actuó en la obra me pareció más cursi que dramática.The way he acted in the play seemed to me more affected than dramatic.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Él siempre llora con las películas románticas. ¡Es un cursi!He always cries when watching romantic movies. He's so precious!
Solo una cursi usaría lenguaje tan florido en su autobiografía.Only someone seriously affected would use such overly flowery language in her autobiography.
hortera(
ohr
-
teh
-
rah
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (colloquial) (showing bad taste) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. tacky (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Paqui siempre fue un poco extravagante. Le encantaba la ropa hortera o pasada de moda.Paqui was always a little eccentric. She loved tacky or old-fashioned clothes.
El estampado de flores de esa mochila es hortera a más no poder.The floral print on that backpack is as tacky as they come.
b. trashy
¿Se compró ese coche? Nunca pensé que fuera tan hortera.Did he buy that car? I would never have imagined he was so trashy.
c. tasteless
La novia llevaba un vestido de boda que no podía ser más hortera. ¡Estaba cuajado de lentejuelas!The bride was wearing the most tasteless wedding dress ever. It was covered in sequins!
d. unstylish
Este póster es muy hortera, pero imagino que en los ochenta resultaría moderno.This poster looks really unstylish, but I suppose people found it modern in the eighties.
e. naff (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
A Claudia le encanta llamar la atención. Si no, ¿por qué lleva esa chaqueta fucsia tan hortera?Claudia loves to attract attention. Otherwise, why would she wear that naff fuchsia jacket?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
2. (colloquial) (person with bad taste) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. trashy person
Tendrán todo el dinero que quieras, pero eso no les impide ser unos horteras.They may have a lot of money, but that doesn't stop them being trashy people.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Carmen es una hortera de cuidado! ¿Viste cómo fue a la fiesta?Carmen has such lousy taste! Did you see what she was wearing at the party?
Bueno, ser un hortera no es tampoco un crimen.Well, having bad taste isn't a crime.
