papi chulo
Papi chulo (noun) means a Spanish term of address for an attractive man, roughly 'handsome daddy'; used flirtatiously by a partner or admirer. Example: “She saved his number in her phone as papi chulo.”
How to use papi chulo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Spanish way of calling a man handsome and cocky.
Informal slang, usually flirtatious; be aware it can read as objectifying or as an ethnic stereotype when used by outsiders.
Both words carry stress on the first syllable, and the ll-free spelling chulo is pronounced CHOO-loh, not SHOO-loh.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She saved his number in her phone as _____.
Etymology
From Spanish papi, an affectionate diminutive of papá 'father', and chulo, which in Spanish means both 'cute, attractive' and, in older usage, 'pimp' or 'flashy'.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
Is papi chulo a compliment?
In modern flirtatious use, yes: it means someone is good-looking and cocky in an appealing way. The older Latin American sense of a pimp or preening hustler still exists, so tone and setting decide how it lands.
What is the female equivalent?
Mami chula, formed the same way from mami and the feminine chula. It is used for an attractive woman in the same flirtatious register.
What is the difference between papi and papi chulo?
Papi on its own can mean dad, or be an affectionate name for a partner, a son or a friend, so it is far broader. Adding chulo makes it specifically about looks and swagger and gives it a clear flirtatious charge.
What is the meaning of papi chulo?
"papi chulo" (noun) means a Spanish term of address for an attractive man, roughly 'handsome daddy'; used flirtatiously by a partner or admirer.