desertor
/deseɾtoɾ/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for 'quitter' is desertor.
While 'quitter' in English can be used for someone who gives up a hobby or a task, desertor in Spanish carries a much heavier, more serious connotation of abandoning a post, a duty or a cause, often in a military or formal context. The verb abandonar is the root action associated with being a desertor, meaning 'to quit' or 'to abandon'.
Meaning: one who quits (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of desertor is desertores, which is used when referring to multiple quitters in a masculine or mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/deseɾtoɾ/
Did you know?
- The word desertor shares its roots with the English word 'desert', but not in the sense of a dry wasteland. It comes from the same Latin root meaning 'to leave' or 'to abandon'.
- While desertor is a formal noun, the act of quitting a responsibility is often described using the phrase dar la espalda, which literally means 'to give the back'.
- To call someone a 'quitter' in a sporting sense, Spanish speakers often use the phrase tirar la toalla, which means 'to throw in the towel'.
Examples in context
- Siempre te rajas en los deportes. Eres un rajón de primera categoría.You always quit in sports. You're a top-notch quitter.
- Los ejecutivos no toleraron al líder cobarde que abandonó el proyecto.The executives didn't tolerate the cowardly leader who quit the project.
- La empresa se enfrenta a grandes dificultades debido a los desistentes que renuncian ante el menor obstáculo.The company faces significant challenges due to the quitters who give up at the slightest obstacle.
- ¿Otra vez abandonaste el gimnasio? ¡Eres un abandonador!Did you quit the gym again? You're such a quitter!
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a difficult project.
- ElenaEste proyecto es demasiado difícil, me rindo.This project is too difficult, I give up.
- DanielNo digas eso, Elena. No seas un desertor.Don't say that, Elena. Don't be a quitter.
- ElenaPero no veo ninguna solución ahora.But I don't see any solution right now.
- DanielPodemos lograrlo si trabajamos juntos, Daniel dice que sigas.We can achieve it if we work together, Daniel says to keep going.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desertor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
