se cree con derecho
/se kɾee kon deɾet͡ʃo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'someone is entitled' is translated into Spanish as se cree con derecho.
This phrase is used to criticize a person's sense of unearned privilege or arrogance, describing someone who believes they deserve special treatment or privileges without earning them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'he/she believes himself/herself with right'.
Which one should you use?
You may use sentirse con derecho to describe the feeling of entitlement itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase Ser un/una gallito/a is used to describe someone who is cocky, acts entitled or is audacious/daring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb creer (to believe) must be conjugated to match the subject, such as se creen con derecho for 'they believe they are entitled'.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, you can call an entitled or cocky person un gallito, which literally translates to 'a little rooster'.
- The word derecho is a doublet of the English word 'direct', as both stem from the Latin dīrēctus, meaning 'straight' or 'upright'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of entitlement is often linked to the word derecho, which also means 'straight'. This suggests a mental connection between having a moral 'right' and following a 'straight' or correct path.
Examples in context
- Ese cliente se cree con derecho a todo.That customer believes he is entitled to everything.
- No me gusta cuando alguien se cree con derecho a mandar.I don't like it when someone feels entitled to give orders.
- Ella se cree con derecho a saltarse la fila.She thinks she is entitled to skip the line.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about a rude coworker.
- LucíaMateo, el nuevo colega es muy arrogante.Mateo, the new colleague is very arrogant.
- MateoSí, se cree con derecho a mandar a todos.Yes, he thinks he's entitled to boss everyone around.
- LucíaNi siquiera conoce el proyecto todavía.He doesn't even know the project yet.
- MateoEs increíble que actúe así.It's unbelievable that he acts this way.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, derecho, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
