despreciar
/despɾeˈθjaɾ/
To despise in Spanish is despreciar.
Despreciar means to regard someone or something with contempt or scorn. Depending on the context, it can also mean to disregard or ignore something, such as a warning or a piece of advice. The noun form of this verb is desprecio, which translates to contempt or scorn.
Meaning: to regard with contempt or scorn (verb)
Which one should you use?
While despreciar can mean to feel contempt for a person, it is also used to mean disregarding or ignoring something like advice.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the object of the verb is a person, you must use the personal 'a' before that person (e.g., despreciar a alguien).
How do you pronounce it?
/despɾeˈθjaɾ/
Did you know?
- In a social context, the noun desprecio is the standard way to describe a 'snub', or the specific act of intentionally ignoring someone's presence.
- While despreciar is used for emotional scorn, Spanish uses the very similar word depreciar specifically for financial devaluation, such as when an asset's market price drops.
- The word despreciar comes from the Latin 'dis-' and 'pretium', meaning to literally 'de-value' something by taking away its perceived worth.
Examples in context
- No debes despreciarle porqué no haya ganado un premio.You mustn't despise him because he didn't win a prize.This sentence shows how to use despreciar in a negative command regarding a person.Tatoeba #5137113 by albrusgher, translation #283870 by Eldad
- No debes despreciar a un hombre porque esté mal pagado.You should not despise a man because he is poorly paid.This sentence demonstrates how to use despreciar when discussing a man's profession or pay.Tatoeba #4991749 by albrusgher, translation #19534 by CM
- No debes despreciar a un hombre solo porque esté mal pagado.You should not despise a man just because he is poorly paid.This sentence shows the use of despreciar when emphasizing that pay is the only reason for the action.Tatoeba #5137119 by albrusgher, translation #1256700 by CK
- No puedo soportar a las personas deshonestas, las odio.I can't stand dishonest people, I despise them.
- Nunca me gustó el brócoli, siempre lo detesté.I never liked broccoli, I always despised it.
- Odio las películas de terror.I despise horror movies.
- Este calor me enloquece, lo odio.This heat drives me crazy, I despise it.
- No sé cómo pudo hacer eso, realmente lo desprecio.I don't know how they could do that, I really despise them for it.
- Ella siempre me trató mal, así que ahora realmente la desprecio.She always treated me badly, so now I truly despise her.
- En verdad aborrezco las arañas.I truly despise spiders.
- Mi padre siempre aborreció las mentiras.My father always despised lies.
- No puedo creer lo que hizo, me da asco.I can't believe what they did, it disgusts me.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a difficult coworker at the office.
- Alejandro¿Por qué siempre tratas de despreciar su esfuerzo?Why do you always try to despise her effort?
- ElenaNo es eso, es que su actitud es arrogante.It's not that, it's just that her attitude is arrogant.
- AlejandroAun así, no deberías despreciar su capacidad técnica.Even so, you shouldn't despise her technical ability.
- ElenaTienes razón, seré más profesional.You are right, I will be more professional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “despise” translations and entries despreciar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despreciar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
