matapobre
The Tagalog word for snob is matapobre.
While the English word snob can sometimes refer to someone with elitist tastes in art or culture, matapobre specifically describes a person who treats those with lower socioeconomic status with contempt.
Meaning: person who seeks to be a member of the upper classes (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use matapobre to describe someone who looks down on others due to social class or economic status. Use Mapagmataas for someone who has an air of superiority, emphasizing their condescension and haughtiness. Use Sosyalera/o for someone who is snobbish and obsessed with maintaining a high social status.
Did you know?
- The word matapobre is a loanword from Philippine Spanish and literally means 'poor-killer'.
- Because of its components, a Tagalog speaker might jokingly interpret matapobre as being related to 'mata', the Tagalog word for 'eye'.
- The word matapobre is a product of Philippine Spanish, a specific historical development of the Spanish language in the Philippines.
Examples in context
- Si James ay mayabang, palagi niyang ipinagyayabang ang mga gamit niya.James is a snob, he always brags about his belongings.
- Sobrang arte ni Elisa, parang hindi niya kilala ang mga simpleng tao.Elisa is such a snob, it's as if she doesn't know ordinary people.
- Si Roberta ay sosyalera, lahat ng damit niya galing sa mga mamahaling tindahan.Roberta is a snob, all her clothes are from expensive stores.
- Laging nagmamataas si Carlito, hindi siya marunong makisama sa ibang tao.Carlito always looks down on others, he doesn't know how to get along with people.
- Huwag kang maging matapobre sa mga mahihirap.Don't be a snob toward the poor.
- Kilala siyang matapobre sa kanilang barangay.He is known as a snob in their village.
- Ayaw ko sa mga taong matapobre.I don't like people who are snobs.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Maria are talking about a wealthy acquaintance.
- RicardoBakit ayaw mong pumunta sa party niya?Why don't you want to go to her party?
- MariaMasyado kasing matapobre si Maria.It's because Maria is too much of a snob.
- RicardoTalaga ba? Mukha naman siyang mabait.Really? She looks kind, though.
- MariaAkala mo lang iyon, Ricardo.That's just what you think, Ricardo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matapobre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
