Spanish word

paternalista

Pronunciation

IPA/pateɾnaˈlista/

Meaning

  • adjectiveoverbearing

Example

Mi madre es paternalista y no me deja salir solo.

My mother is overbearing and doesn't let me go out alone.

Illustration for paternalista (overbearing)

More examples

La empresa aplica una política paternalista sobre el horario.

The company applies an overbearing policy regarding working hours.

Core concept

Someone giving unsolicited protection and direction that limits another's freedom.

Common phrases

  • actitud paternalista

    overbearing attitude

  • trato paternalista

    overbearing treatment

  • política paternalista

    overbearing policy

Similar words

protector: Offers protection and support to keep someone safe, often calmly and practically.
sobreprotector: Overdoes caregiving by managing or deciding for someone who can handle things.
invasivo: Intervenes in private matters or personal space, disregarding others' boundaries.

Definition in Spanish

Que adopta una postura protectora y autoritaria hacia otra persona, manifestándose como control o consejo impuesto.

Word origin

Formed from paternal (from Latin pater 'father') and the suffix -ista, marking a characteristic, so the word refers to fatherly-style protection that overrides the other's choice.

Usage tips

  • Speakers often prefer to describe specific controlling actions rather than label a person paternalista, because the label reads as criticism.

Other meanings

  • paternalisticadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • paternalismopaternalismnoun
  • paternalmentepaternallyadverb
  • paternalpaternaladjective

Word lists with this word