Spanish Phrases for Flirting

Flirting in a second language is as much about tone and respect as vocabulary. Spanish has many warm, playful expressions, but what sounds charming in one country or situation can sound awkward or unwelcome in another. This guide covers phrases to start a conversation, give compliments and ask someone out, as well as how to turn down attention politely.

Flirting basics: tone and respect

Use tú (informal) unless you are in a formal setting. In Argentina, Uruguay and some other regions you may hear vos forms.
Be friendly first. A light, curious tone usually works better than a line that sounds rehearsed.
Pay attention to the other person’s response. If they seem uninterested, stop.
Direct compliments about appearance can be received very differently depending on the person, place and relationship. When in doubt, compliment something like a smile, a laugh or a style choice and keep it light.

Starting a conversation

Hola, ¿cómo te llamas? – Hi, what’s your name?
Me llamo… ¿y tú? – My name is… and you?
¿Puedo sentarme contigo? – May I sit with you?
¿Te puedo invitar a algo de beber? – Can I buy you something to drink?
¿Vienes mucho por aquí? – Do you come here often?
¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from?
¿Qué te trae por aquí? – What brings you here?
Perdona mi español, estoy aprendiendo. – Forgive my Spanish, I’m learning. (a light, honest way to break the ice)

For more opening phrases, see our guide to Spanish greetings and goodbyes.

Compliments

Adjectives agree with gender: guapo (to a man), guapa (to a woman).

Eres muy guapo / guapa. – You’re very good-looking.
Qué sonrisa más bonita. – What a lovely smile.
Tienes unos ojos preciosos. – You have beautiful eyes.
Me encanta tu risa. – I love your laugh.
Qué elegante / Qué bien vestida. – How elegant / You look great.
Eres muy simpático / simpática. – You’re very nice / charming.
Eres muy interesante. – You’re very interesting.
Me caes muy bien. – I like you (as a person).
Me haces reír. – You make me laugh.

Note the difference between me caes bien (I like you as a person) and me gustas (I’m attracted to you). Be careful which one you choose.

Showing interest and asking someone out

Me gustas. – I like you. (romantic or attracted)
Me gusta pasar tiempo contigo. – I like spending time with you.
Me encantaría conocerte mejor. – I would love to get to know you better.
¿Quieres tomar un café conmigo? – Do you want to have a coffee with me?
¿Te gustaría cenar conmigo? – Would you like to have dinner with me?
¿Quieres salir conmigo? – Do you want to go out with me?
¿Tienes planes para este fin de semana? – Do you have plans this weekend?
Me lo pasé muy bien contigo. – I had a great time with you. (Spain)
Me la pasé muy bien contigo. – I had a great time with you. (Latin America)
¿Nos vemos otra vez? – Shall we meet again?
No puedo dejar de pensar en ti. – I can’t stop thinking about you. (stronger; better after you know each other)

A date is una cita. Going on dates is salir con alguien (to go out with someone).

Piropos: playful lines

A piropo is a compliment or playful line, traditionally from a man to a woman, although the term applies more broadly. Some are lighthearted; unsolicited ones from strangers on the street can be unwelcome or seen as harassment, so approach with care.

Classic, gentle examples:

¿Te dolió cuando caíste del cielo? – Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?
Si la belleza fuera un delito, te condenarían a cadena perpetua. – If beauty were a crime, you’d be sentenced to life in prison.
Eres lo mejor que me pasó hoy. – You’re the best thing that happened to me today.
No sé tu nombre, pero ya me gusta. – I don’t know your name, but I already like it.

Lines like these are cheesy by design, and most are best delivered with a smile and humor, to someone who clearly welcomes it. People looking for “rizz” lines in Spanish should know there is no single equivalent term. Many Spanish speakers borrow “rizz” from English, or talk about someone having carisma (charisma) or being un conquistador (a charmer, a ladies’ man).

Words and slang for flirting by region

What is Mexican slang for flirting? Informal expressions are common but change over time and vary by region. Examples you may hear include:

coquetear – to flirt (widely understood everywhere)
ligar – to flirt or hook up (Spain, informal)
echar los tejos – to make a move on someone (Spain, informal)
tirar la onda – to flirt (Mexico, informal)
tirar los perros – to hit on someone (Mexico, informal)
chamullar – to sweet-talk (Argentina, Chile, informal)
piropear – to say a piropo to someone

Because slang is local and dated quickly, coquetear is the safest choice to understand and use. Learn the rest by listening, not by memorizing a list.

Romantic terms of address

Once things are going well, affectionate names come into play. See our list of endearing Spanish nicknames for options such as cariño and mi vida.

Texting

Hola, ¿qué tal tu día? – Hi, how was your day?
Estuve pensando en ti. – I was thinking of you.
Me encantó verte. – I loved seeing you.
¿Qué haces? – What are you up to?
Buenas noches. Que descanses. – Good night. Sleep well.
Mañana me cuentas. – You’ll tell me tomorrow.

Politely turning someone down

Knowing how to say no matters just as much as the compliments.

No, gracias. – No, thank you.
No me interesa, gracias. – I’m not interested, thanks.
Prefiero que no. – I’d rather not.
Tengo pareja. – I have a partner.
Prefiero estar solo / sola. – I’d rather be on my own.
Por favor, déjame en paz. – Please leave me alone. (firm)
Me siento incómodo / incómoda. – I feel uncomfortable.

If someone tells you no, accept it and move on.

Sample conversation

Marta: Hola, ¿cómo te llamas?
Diego: Diego, ¿y tú?
Marta: Marta. ¿Eres de aquí?
Diego: No, soy de México. Estoy aprendiendo más de la ciudad.
Marta: Me encanta tu acento. ¿Quieres tomar un café mañana?
Diego: Me encantaría.

Tips

Start with friendly conversation, not lines.
Match your Spanish to the region. A line from Madrid may sound odd in Mexico City.
Use humor about your own learner mistakes; it tends to put people at ease.
Respect “no” immediately.
Practice natural, everyday phrases first. Phone calls and messages with a new friend call for different language, so see our guide to Spanish phone conversations.