Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| despreciable | /despɾeˈθjable/ /despɾeˈsjable/ |
| desdeñable | /desdeˈɲable/ |
| bajo | /ˈbaxo/ |
| rastrero | /rasˈtɾeɾo/ |
| deleznable | /deleθˈnable/ /delesˈnable/ |
| ruin | /ˈrwin/ |
Despreciable is used to describe actions or people that provoke a sense of contempt or moral disgust.
Which one should you use?
While despreciable describes a person's character as despicable, rastrero is a more insulting, colloquial way to describe someone as 'low' or 'sneaky' in a way that lacks dignity. The word bajo can be used metaphorically to mean 'low' or 'base' in terms of moral character, similar to how 'low' is used in English. Other options include desdeñable, deleznable and ruin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the term repulsivo is commonly used to convey the idea of despicable or repulsive behavior. In certain regions, the word miserable can be used to express despicability, though it can also mean pitiful or miserable.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, despreciable must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., personas despreciables).
How do you pronounce it?
/despɾeˈθjable/
Did you know?
- The adjective despreciable shares the same Latin root as the word 'despicable', but in Spanish, it can also be used in scientific contexts to mean 'negligible'.
- The adjective deleznable describes something so despicable that it is 'fragile' or 'crumbly' in a moral sense, implying a total lack of integrity.
- While English speakers use 'miserable' to mean 'very unhappy', in Spanish, calling someone miserable can mean they are a despicable or stingy person.
Examples in context
- Nada es más despreciable que respeto fundado en el miedo.Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear.This sentence shows how to describe an action that is more despicable than respect based on fear using despreciable.Tatoeba #2653080 by marcelostockle, translation #1792602 by AsliAbbasi
- No lo soporto; no es más que un despreciable mentiroso compulsivo.I can't stand him. He's nothing more than a despicable, compulsive liar.This sentence uses despreciable to describe a person as a compulsive liar.Tatoeba #5368820 by Seael, translation #10473102 by DJ_Saidez
- Matar gente que está rezando es la cosa más despreciable que uno pueda imaginarse.Killing people while they pray is the most despicable thing imaginable.This sentence illustrates using despreciable to describe a particularly heinous act.Tatoeba #7967787 by Seael, translation #7811288 by shekitten
- El comportamiento del político fue detestable.The politician's behavior was despicable.
- Sus acciones son reprobables y no deben ser ignoradas.His actions are despicable and should not be ignored.
- El trato que recibió fue execrable e inhumano.The treatment he received was despicable and inhumane.
- ¡Ese tipo es asqueroso! No puedo creer lo que hizo.That guy is despicable! I can't believe what he did.
- Me parece repugnante la manera en que trata a los demás.I find the way he treats others despicable.
- Lo que dijo fue abominable y totalmente irrespetuoso.What he said was despicable and totally disrespectful.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a dishonest man in a news report.
- Javier¿Viste lo que hizo ese hombre?Did you see what that man did?
- LucíaSí, me pareció un acto despreciable.Yes, I thought it was a despicable act.
- JavierEs un tipo realmente despreciable.He is a truly despicable guy.
- LucíaNo tiene ningún sentido de la moral.He has no sense of morality.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “despicable” translations and entries despreciable, desdeñable, bajo, rastrero, deleznable, ruin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
