Prepotente

[Pixter]

So, I'm trying to find out the translation of "prepotente."

Encarta shows "prepotent" as "greater in power, force, or influence"

But when I say "El es una persona prepotente" I mean more like he thinks he's it, he has the power but thinks he's better or knows more than someone else....so it's not really a quality but more like a fault....

Is there another word for "prepotente" in English??

[poli]

Originally Posted by Pixter

So, I'm trying to find out the translation of "prepotente."

Encarta shows "prepotent" as "greater in power, force, or influence"

But when I say "El es una persona prepotente" I mean more like he thinks he's it, he has the power but thinks he's better or knows more than someone else....so it's not really a quality but more like a fault....

Is there another word for "prepotente" in English??

I have never heard the word preponent in English, but from what
you explain supercilious seems like a good translation of preponente.
The problem is that supercilious is very high tone, and hardly nobody
will understand you. I think that pontifical may be a good substitute.
On a simpler level people may use "stuck up" "holier than thou" and perhaps even best on mid- level "condescending"

[Rusty]

I agree with Poli. Prepotent is not a word you would normally hear in American English. I would use overbearing or arrogant. Both of these terms are quite common, and capture the meaning you quoted from the dictionary, and the alternate usage you gave.

[Iris]

From my point of view condescending is the best translation.But I might be wrong.

[Tomisimo]

All good options so far. Depending on the situation, I'd try: overbearing, condescending, powerful, proud, influential, high-handed. In English powerful and proud don't necessarily have the negative connotation that prepotente has.

[poli]

Condescending is the one. Go for it.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by poli

Condescending is the one. Go for it.

I agree that's the best option.

[Pixter]

Thank you!

I now understand that "prepotent" is not a word commonly used even though "prepotente" is widely used in Spanish.

Now, "condescending" is a tricky word because my brain immediately translates it to "condescendiente" which is really the opposite...
Condescendiente is an adjective that means pronto, dispuesto a condescender - a person willing to please. I could say "Sus abuelos son muy condescendientes."

I guess I just need to rewire my brain so that the word condescending and arrogant stay together when I'm in English mode...LOL....

It's true, whey you're learning a language you need to think and dream in that language.....

Am I right

[poli]

That's a definite goal.Thinking and dreaming in a foreign language-- you have probably reached that goal awhile ago. I never knew that condescendente had a positive connotation in Spanish. I'm glad I never used it. I'm sure it would have caused confusion if I did. Thanks for the information.
Poli

[Elaina]

Pixter,

I don't know about dreaming in the new language.......I've trying to learn Italiano (Pimsleur Tapes) which is very basic and if I start dreaming in Italian I wouldn't know what my dream was about!

But because of my being bilingual, a lot of people ask me if I dream in English or Spanish. I dream in both languages, is that true with other people?

Elaina