Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While condescendiente is a colloquial way to express this idea, more formal options include despectivo/a, altivo/a, used for someone assuming an air of importance or desdeñoso/a, describing someone who acts dismissively or contemptuously.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the phrase con aires de superioridad is used to describe condescension. In Spain, despreciativo/a is used frequently to indicate disdainful or condescending behavior.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective condescendiente is invariable in gender, so it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To form the plural, add -es to the end to get condescendientes.
How do you pronounce it?
/kondesθenˈdjente/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to assume condescendiente only has a negative connotation. In some older or formal Spanish contexts, it can imply being obliging or willing to yield to the wishes of others, unlike the purely negative sense of the English word 'condescending'.
Did you know?
- The word condescendiente is an example of a calque, meaning it was likely created by translating the English word 'condescending' directly into Spanish.
- In formal Spanish, someone who is condescendiente might be praised for their willingness to yield to others, making it a virtue rather than a flaw.
Examples in context
- No sé, ella tiene un tono condescendiente al hablar, ¿no crees? A veces me lo parece.I don't know, she really has a condescending way of talking, don't you think? Sometimes it gets to me.This sentence shows how to use condescendiente when describing someone's way of talking.Tatoeba #1811094 by teskmon, translation #1355282 by GaryM
- No me gustó su tono despectivoI didn't like his condescending tone
- Su actitud altiva me molestaHis condescending attitude bothers me
- No soporto su mirada desdeñosaI can't stand her condescending look
- No seas pedante con tus amigosDon't be condescending with your friends
- No tolero a las personas prepotentesI don't tolerate condescending people
- No me gusta su actitud despectiva hacia los demás.I don't like his condescending attitude towards others.
- El maestro se dirige a sus estudiantes de manera altiva.The teacher addresses his students in a condescending way.
- Quedé sorprendido por su respuesta desdeñosa.I was surprised by his condescending response.
- No seas pedante, nadie quiere escuchar tus teorías.Don't be condescending, no one wants to hear your theories.
- Me molesta su actitud prepotente cuando habla de sus logros.His condescending attitude when talking about his achievements bothers me.
- No me gusta su actitud condescendiente.I don't like her condescending attitude.
- Deja de ser tan condescendiente conmigo.Stop being so condescending to me.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a coworker.
- MateoMe molesta que el jefe sea tan condescendiente.It bothers me that the boss is so condescending.
- LucíaTienes razón, Lucía piensa lo mismo que tú.You're right, Lucía thinks the same as you.
- Mateo¿No crees que es un poco condescendiente con nosotros?Don't you think he's a bit condescending with us?
- LucíaSí, Mateo, siempre nos habla como si fuéramos niños.Yes, Mateo, he always talks to us as if we were children.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “condescending” translations and entries condescendiente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries condescendiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
