Spanish word

dignar

Pronunciation

IPA/diɣˈnaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdeign to

Example

Al final, él se dignó a responder mi mensaje.

In the end, he deigned to reply to my message.

Illustration for dignar (deign to)

More examples

Finalmente, el director se dignó a aceptar la invitación.

Finally, the director reluctantly deigned to accept the invitation.

Core concept

Grudging reply or consent that shows disdain.

Common phrases

  • se dignó a aceptar la invitación

    reluctantly deigned to accept the invitation

Similar words

acceder: Agree to a request or proposal, giving assent or permission.
aceptar: Accept an offer or condition, taking or approving what is offered.
condescender: Reluctantly agree while behaving patronizingly, showing superiority.
conceder: Acknowledge a request or claim and grant it, giving what is asked.

Definition in Spanish

Expresar que alguien accede a algo con reticencia o desprecio hacia la acción o la otra persona, siendo común la negación 'no se dignó a...' para señalar falta de cortesía.

Word origin

From Latin dignare 'to deem worthy', which in Spanish has shifted from granting worth to the idea of conceding something while expressing condescension.

Usage tips

  • Appears pronominally as 'dignarse a + infinitive' and the phrase 'no se dignó a...' expresses criticism rather than neutral acceptance, where 'aceptar' or 'responder' are used in neutral contexts.

Other meanings

  • condescendverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word