What does it mean word for word?
The word is a diminutive of santo (saint), and it is used pejoratively to imply that someone is acting like a little saint.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
santurrón is a colloquial term often used in an insulting way to mock someone's perceived moral superiority. For a more formal way to describe someone displaying an excessive sense of pride and self-righteousness, you can use soberbio or soberbia. In informal settings, you might use creído/creída to describe someone who is full of themselves or chulo/chula to describe someone who is showing off and acting superior.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The terms engreído or engreída may be used in certain regions to convey a sense of self-righteousness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes to santurrona when referring to a female. The plural form for a group of men or a mixed group is santurrones.
How do you pronounce it?
/santuˈron/
Did you know?
- The word soberbio can actually be a compliment in specific contexts, meaning 'magnificent' or 'grand', unlike the purely negative connotation of santurrón.
- The suffix used in santurrón is an augmentative, meaning the word literally describes a 'big saint' to mock the person's exaggerated piety.
- In popular media like soap operas, santurrona is a trope used to identify a specific type of antagonist who hides their malice behind a mask of piety.
Examples in context
- El profesor siempre actúa de manera altanera, creyendo que es el único que tiene la razón.The professor always behaves in a self-righteous way, thinking he is the only one who is right.
- María siempre habla de manera soberbia, como si siempre estuviera por encima del resto.María always speaks in a self-righteous manner, as if she's always above everyone else.
- Es molesto escuchar al colega presuntuoso siempre insistiendo en que tiene la respuesta correcta para todo.It's annoying to listen to the self-righteous colleague always insisting that he has the right answer for everything.
- El joven político es conocido por su actitud pretenciosa y su sentido de superioridad.The young politician is known for his self-righteous attitude and sense of superiority.
- Pablo siempre actúa creído e insiste en que sus opiniones son las únicas válidas.Pablo always acts self-righteous and insists that his opinions are the only valid ones.
- No soporto a ese hombre tan santurrón.I can't stand that self-righteous man.
- No seas tan santurrón con los demás.Don't be so self-righteous with others.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing a coworker.
- AlejandroEse nuevo jefe es un santurrón.That new boss is so self-righteous.
- SofíaEs verdad, siempre actúa como si fuera perfecto.It's true, he always acts as if he were perfect.
- AlejandroMe desespera su tono moralista.His moralizing tone drives me crazy.
- SofíaTienes razón, es muy difícil trabajar con él.You're right, he is very difficult to work with.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry santurrón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
