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PrepotenteAsk about definitions or translations for Spanish or English words. |
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#1
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Prepotente
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??
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pixter |
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#2
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Quote:
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" Last edited by poli; June 05, 2008 at 10:29 AM. |
#3
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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.
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#4
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From my point of view condescending is the best translation.But I might be wrong.
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Take care, María José |
#5
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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.
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If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it! |
#6
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Condescending is the one. Go for it.
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#7
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I agree that's the best option.
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If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it! |
#8
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Got it!
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
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pixter |
#9
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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 |
#10
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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 |
Tags |
arrogant, condescendiente, condescending, overbearing, prepotente |
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