Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| faltar al respeto | /faltaɾ al ɾespeto/ (from spelling rules) |
| ningunear | /ninɡuneˈaɾ/ |
| irrespetar | /irespeˈtaɾ/ |
| hacer [el] fo | |
| hacer gestos | /aθeɾ xestos/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ xestos/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
To disrespect means to show a lack of respect. While faltar al respeto is a general way to describe this, other forms can be more specific. For example, ningunear implies a specific type of disrespect where you treat someone as if they are a nobody or ignore their existence and opinions. You may also use hacer gestos to describe disrespecting someone through gestures.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase faltar al respeto literally means 'to fail [in providing] the respect'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expression hacer el fo is a colloquial way to describe the act of disrespecting someone by showing them the middle finger.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Cagarse en (algo o alguien) is used to express extreme disrespect.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use faltar al respeto to mean disrespecting a person, you must use the preposition a before the person being disrespected, such as in the construction faltar al respeto a [alguien].
How do you pronounce it?
/faltaɾ al ɾespeto/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of respeto is not just about politeness but involves a strict social hierarchy. Disrespecting an elder can be seen as a much more serious moral failing than in English-speaking cultures.
- The word respeto is a 'learned borrowing' from Latin, meaning it was adopted into Spanish by scholars rather than evolving naturally through common speech.
- The word irrespetar is less common in Spain than in Latin America. In some regions, faltar al respeto is preferred as the standard way to describe the act.
Examples in context
- Si en toda tu vida te abstienes de asesinar, robar, fornicar, cometer perjurio, blasfemar y faltar al respeto a tus padres, tu iglesia o tu rey, eres convencionalmente considerado alguien que merece admiración moral, incluso si no has realizado ninguna acción generosa o amable o útil.If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of faltar al respeto in a list of social transgressions.Tatoeba #1386254 by Shishir, translation #411796 by Scott
- No debemos tolerar que alguien falte al respeto en este lugar.We should not tolerate anyone disrespecting in this place.
- Sus constantes desconsideraciones demuestran su falta de cortesía.His constant disregard shows his lack of courtesy.
- No me faltes al respeto.Don't disrespect me.
- Deja de tratarme con falta de respeto.Stop treating me with disrespect.
- No debes faltar al respeto a tus profesores.You must not disrespect your teachers.
- Él me quiso faltar al respeto en público.He tried to disrespect me in public.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a disagreement they had.
- LucíaMateo, siento haber gritado, no quería faltar al respeto.Mateo, I'm sorry for shouting, I didn't mean to disrespect you.
- MateoGracias, Lucía, pero me sentí muy mal.Thank you, Lucía, but I felt very bad.
- Lucía¿Podemos empezar de nuevo y hablar con calma?Can we start over and talk calmly?
- MateoSí, acepto tus disculpas.Yes, I accept your apologies.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disrespect” translations and entries faltar al respeto, ningunear, irrespetar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faltar, hacer, irrespetar, ningunear, respeto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
