sabelotodo
/sabelotodo/from spelling rules
The Spanish term for 'smarty pants' is sabelotodo.
sabelotodo is an informal word meaning 'know-it-all' used for someone who shows off their knowledge.
Meaning: know-it-all (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sabelotodo is an informal term. It is often used in a teasing or slightly derogatory way, similar to the English 'smarty pants'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun plural, add -s to the end: sabelotodos.
How do you pronounce it?
/sabelotodo/
Did you know?
- The word sabelotodo is a verb-object compound. It is formed by combining sabe meaning 'knows', lo meaning 'it' and todo meaning 'all'.
- Spanish has a unique way of describing 'knowing too much' through the word sabihondo. This term historically referred to someone who claimed to have a deep, scholarly knowledge but was actually superficial.
- In Spanish, you can turn sabelotodo into an adjective to describe a specific action or behavior. For example, calling someone's comment una respuesta sabelotodo describes the answer as being pretentious.
Examples in context
- Mi compañero de trabajo es un sabihondo, siempre tiene las respuestas correctas en nuestras reuniones.My coworker is a smarty pants, he always has the right answers in our meetings.
- No te hagas el listillo, todos sabemos que estás hablando sin tener idea.Don't be such a smarty pants, we all know you're talking without having a clue.
- Esa niña es una sabelotodo, siempre quiere demostrar que sabe más que los demás.That girl is such a know-it-all, she always wants to prove she knows more than everyone else.
- No seas un sabelotodo.Don't be a know-it-all.
- Ese sabelotodo siempre corrige a los demás.That smarty pants always corrects others.
- ¡Qué sabelotodo eres!You are such a know-it-all!
Example conversation
Mateo is constantly correcting Elena's grammar during a study session.
- ElenaMateo, de verdad eres un sabelotodo.Mateo, you really are a know-it-all.
- MateoSolo estoy tratando de ayudar, Elena.I'm just trying to help, Elena.
- ElenaPero me interrumpes todo el tiempo.But you interrupt me all the time.
- MateoLo siento, no quería molestarte.I'm sorry, I didn't want to bother you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sabelotodo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
