Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Flirt in Spanish: Coquetear, Ligar & Colorful Idioms
Coquetear · verb · koh-keh-teh-AHR
Flirt is coquetear in standard Spanish, a regular -ar verb. In Spain, ligar is preferred and carries a stronger sense of actively trying to attract someone. The noun form is coqueteo (flirtation), and a flirtatious person is coqueto (m.) or coqueta (f.). Regional slang is rich: tirar los tejos in Spain, echar los perros or tirar la onda in Mexico.
Coquetear is koh-keh-teh-AHR, four syllables, stress on AHR. Ligar is lee-GAR, two syllables. Coqueta is koh-KEH-tah.
Carlos siempre coquetea con todo el mundo en las fiestas.
Carlos always flirts with everyone at parties.
Flirt in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for flirt, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| coquetear | flirt | koh-keh-teh-AHR | Default, widely understood |
| ligar | flirt | Spain — to flirt, to pick someone up | |
| tirar los tejos | flirt | Spain — to make advances (idiomatic) | |
| echar los perros | flirt | Mexico — to hit on someone (informal) |
How Native Speakers Use Coquetear
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Casual observation
Mi compañera de trabajo es muy coqueta, siempre sonríe y hace cumplidos.
My coworker is very flirtatious — she always smiles and gives compliments.
Coqueto/coqueta as an adjective describes someone who is naturally flirty. It can be affectionate or mildly critical depending on tone.
Spain nightlife
Fuimos a un bar a ligar, pero no tuvimos suerte.
We went to a bar to pick people up, but we had no luck.
Ligar in Spain is casual and direct — it means to flirt with the goal of attracting someone romantically. Ir a ligar is a common expression.
Mexican slang
Ese chico le está echando los perros a tu prima.
That guy is hitting on your cousin.
Echar los perros (literally 'to throw the dogs') is a vivid Mexican slang expression for aggressively flirting with someone.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Coquetear
Using flirtear as a Spanish word
Incorrect: A Juan le gusta flirtear con las chicas.
Correct: A Juan le gusta coquetear con las chicas.
Flirtear is an anglicism that is not accepted in standard Spanish. The correct verbs are coquetear (universal) or ligar (Spain). Some speakers may use flirtear informally, but it is not standard.
Using ligar in Latin America meaning to flirt
Incorrect: Está ligando con ella. (in Mexico, intending flirting)
Correct: Está coqueteando con ella.
In some Latin American countries, ligar can mean to tie or to mix rather than to flirt. Use coquetear for clarity outside of Spain.
Lock in Flirt Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Coquetear used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using coquetear in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Carlos siempre coquetea con todo el mundo en las fiestas. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Flirt in Spanish
- What is the difference between coquetear and ligar?
- Coquetear means to flirt in a general, playful sense — it works everywhere. Ligar is a Spain-centric term that often implies active pursuit with romantic or sexual intent. Coquetear can be innocent; ligar usually is not.
- How do I say 'she's a flirt' in Spanish?
- Es una coqueta or Es muy coqueta. Coqueta describes a woman who flirts naturally or habitually. For a man: Es un coqueto or Es muy coqueto.
- What does 'tirar la onda' mean?
- Tirar la onda (literally 'to throw the wave') is Mexican slang for flirting with someone or expressing romantic interest. Le tiré la onda means 'I flirted with her/him' or 'I made a move.' It is casual and youthful.