esnobe
/izˈnɔ.bi/Brazil, feminine, masculine
In Portuguese, the word for 'snob' is esnobe.
The term esnobe refers to someone who is excessively concerned with social status, often dismissing or looking down upon others.
Meaning: person who seeks to be a member of the upper classes (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term Enjoado(a) is used colloquially to refer to someone who is considered snobbish or overly picky in some regions of Brazil, particularly Rio de Janeiro.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of esnobe is esnobes. The word can be used as both a masculine and feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /izˈnɔ.bi/.
Did you know?
- While esnobe describes social climbing, the word enjoado literally means 'nauseated' or 'sick'. In Brazil, calling someone enjoado implies their snobbery is so irritating it makes others feel physically sick.
- In high-society circles in Brazil, being called esnobe can sometimes be a 'backhanded' compliment, implying the person has the taste and exclusivity required to be selective.
- The pronunciation of esnobe in Portuguese adds a vowel sound at the beginning, creating a three-syllable word. This is because Portuguese phonology generally avoids starting words with an 's' followed by a consonant.
Examples in context
- Eu não sou esnobe.I'm not a snob.This sentence is useful for denying that you are a snob using esnobe.Tatoeba #4846539 by bill, translation #2549637 by CK
- Tom é meio esnobe.Tom is a bit of a snob.This sentence is useful for describing someone as being a bit of a snob using esnobe.Tatoeba #5237709 by ToinhoAlam, translation #5193157 by CK
- A Mariana é esnobe, nunca se mistura com as pessoas simples.Mariana is a snob, she never mixes with ordinary people.
- Aquele cara novo na empresa é muito metido a besta, nem cumprimenta os colegas.That new guy at work is such a snob, he doesn't even say hello to his colleagues.
- Não suporto pessoas arrogantes como ele, só se acha.I can't stand arrogant people like him, he's such a snob.
- Achei ela muito enjoada e metida.I found her very snobbish and stuck-up.
- Aquela mulher é muito esnobe.That woman is very snobbish.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a person at a party.
- JulianaVocê achou ela esnobe?Did you think she was a snob?
- GabrielSim, ela foi muito esnobe com a gente.Yes, she was very snobbish to us.
- JulianaEu senti que ela não queria conversar.I felt like she didn't want to talk.
- GabrielExatamente, ela só olha para as pessoas de cima.Exactly, she only looks down on people.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snob” translations and entries esnobe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
