Spanish Conversation · Level 152
30 words
Spanish word
populista
Pronunciation
IPA/popuˈlista/
Meaning
- adjectivepopulist
Example
La propuesta suena populista.
The proposal sounds populist.
More examples
El líder populista ganó el debate con un discurso emotivo.
The populist leader won the debate with an emotional speech.
Core concept
Leader promising simple slogans to a cheering crowd.
Common phrases
líder populista
populist leader
partido populista
populist party
discurso populista
populist speech
Similar words
demagógico: Relies on theatrical appeals and provocative language to win mass support.
oportunista: Opportunistically follows changes and prioritizes short-term gain over principles.
simplista: Simplifies nuanced problems into catchy lines that omit complexity and costs.
Definition in Spanish
Que busca ganar el apoyo de las masas mediante promesas sencillas y apelando a las emociones y al sentimiento de 'el pueblo'.
Word origin
From Latin populus 'people' plus the Spanish suffix -ista that forms tendencies or adherents, literally 'appealing to the people' and now describing tactics that court mass support.
Usage tips
- Often used as a political criticism, and speakers commonly soften it in conversation with phrases like 'suena populista' rather than directly calling someone populista.