Spanish Conversation · Level 84
60 words
Spanish word
desdeñar
Pronunciation
IPA/desðeˈɲaɾ/
Meaning
- verbdespise
Example
No debes desdeñar a nadie por su trabajo.
You should not despise anyone for their work.
More examples
Es fácil desdeñar una opinión que no coincide con la tuya.
It's easy to belittle an opinion that does not agree with yours.
Core concept
A person turning their back on someone with a scornful glance.
Common phrases
desdeñar a alguien
despise someone
desdeñar la opinión ajena
belittle someone else's opinion
desdeñar un trabajo
belittle a job
Similar words
despreciar: Regards someone with scorn, refusing to acknowledge their worth.
menospreciar: Undervalues a person's ability or worth, treating them as unimportant.
desestimar: Dismisses an idea or proposal as unimportant and refuses to accept it.
ignorar: Deliberately pays no attention to someone or their opinion, pretending not to notice.
Definition in Spanish
Considerar a alguien o algo indigno y mostrar hacia ello desprecio o desdén.
Word origin
From Latin dedignari (de- 'not' + dignari 'consider worthy'), via Old Spanish, it means to regard someone or something as unworthy and show contempt.
Usage tips
- Calling a person desdeñar is strong and can sound insulting, so speakers often criticize a specific action or choose milder verbs to avoid offense.