condescendiente
/kondesθenˈdjente/
The English phrase "patronizing" is translated into Spanish as condescendiente.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, condescendiente must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, though its ending remains -e for both masculine and feminine. To make the adjective plural, add -s to get condescendientes.
How do you pronounce it?
/kondesθenˈdjente/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistake the Spanish word condescendiente for meaning "patronizing" or "condescending", but in many Spanish-speaking contexts, it can also mean "obliging" or "accommodating" (though the negative sense is now the dominant usage).
Did you know?
- The term condescendencia can describe a 'patronizing' attitude, but in a religious context, it can refer to God's willingness to stoop to human level.
- The word condescendiente is likely a calque of the English word 'condescending', meaning it was borrowed and translated directly into Spanish.
- While condescendiente is used for patronizing behavior, a person who is 'pretentious' is called presumido or estirado, which literally means 'stretched'.
Examples in context
- Tom es condescendiente.Tom is patronizing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe someone using condescendiente.Tatoeba #5698444 by albrusgher, translation #2203172 by CK
- No seas condescendiente con tus compañeros de trabajo. Trátalos con respeto y consideración.Don't be patronizing towards your coworkers. Treat them with respect and consideration.
- No me gusta su tono despectivo cuando habla de los demás.I don't like their patronizing tone when talking about others.
- No deberías ser tan altanero con tus empleados. Necesitan tu apoyo y guía.You shouldn't be so patronizing towards your employees. They need your support and guidance.
- Siempre tiene un tono despreciativo cuando habla de las personas que no piensan como él.He always has a patronizing tone when talking about people who don't think like him.
- No soporto cuando el profesor habla con aires de superioridad.I can't stand it when the professor is patronizing.
- No me hables de esa manera tan condescendiente.Don't talk to me in such a patronizing way.
- Su tono condescendiente me molestó mucho.His patronizing tone annoyed me a lot.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a coworker's behavior at the office.
- Javier¿Notaste el tono de nuestro jefe hoy?Did you notice our boss's tone today?
- LucíaSí, fue muy condescendiente con todos.Yes, he was very patronizing to everyone.
- JavierMe sentí mal por su actitud.I felt bad because of his attitude.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, no fue tu culpa.Don't worry, it wasn't your fault.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 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.
