Cool MateThat's cool vs You can dig it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's cool
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
You can dig it
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: That's cool
| That's cool | You can dig it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts kuːl//🇺🇸 //ðæts kul// | 🇬🇧 //juː kən dɪɡ ɪt//🇺🇸 //ju kæn dɪɡ ɪt// |
| Meaning | That's nice or impressive. | You understand or like something. |
| Example | When she showed her artwork, I thought, 'That's cool!' | When I told him about my new job, he said, 'You can dig it!' |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | That's really cool, I think that's cool, Wow, that's cool, That's cool to hear, Yeah, that's cool | you can dig it too, I dig it, do you dig it?, really dig it, totally dig it |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly formal contexts., Confusing it with 'that's good' in serious discussions., Misunderstanding it as sarcastic when used sincerely. | Misuse in formal situations., Overuse, making it sound insincere., Confusing it with similar phrases like 'get it.' |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations. Avoid in formal situations. Expressing approval or agreement. | Use this phrase in casual conversations to express approval or enjoyment. It's not suitable for formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's cool vs You can dig it
What's the difference between That's cool and You can dig it?
That's cool: That's nice or impressive. You can dig it: You understand or like something.
Which is more common: That's cool and You can dig it?
That's cool is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's cool: When she showed her artwork, I thought, 'That's cool!' You can dig it: When I told him about my new job, he said, 'You can dig it!'
Can I use That's cool and You can dig it interchangeably?
Not always. That's cool and You can dig it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.