¿quién te crees que eres?
The English phrase "who do you think you are?" can be translated into Spanish as ¿quién te crees que eres?
This is a rhetorical question used to criticize someone for acting too important or behaving with too much confidence. It is almost always used rhetorically to challenge someone's perceived arrogance or lack of respect.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ¿quién te crees que eres? translates to "Who do you believe that you are?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿quién te crees que eres? is the standard form, you may also see ¿Quién te crees (que eres)?, which is an informal variation. Another informal way to challenge someone's sense of importance is ¿Y tú quién te crees? Additionally, the phrase ¿Tú te has creído mucho? can be used informally to mean "Do you think you're so much?" or "You've started to believe a lot about yourself?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may hear the colloquial version ¿Quién te pensás que sos?
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone using the formal "usted" form, the phrase becomes ¿quién se cree que es usted?
Did you know?
- The verb eres in this phrase is actually a linguistic fossil from the Latin future tense. It replaced the original form es because the two became too similar to distinguish in speech.
- The Spanish language has several ways to express this sentiment, but using the formal usted in ¿quién se cree que es usted? often adds a layer of coldness or sharp sarcasm that the informal version lacks.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿quién te crees que eres?Hey, who do you think you are?
Example conversation
Daniel is acting like the boss of the group project.
- DanielSofía, tienes que hacer todo el trabajo así.Sofía, you have to do all the work this way.
- SofíaNo soy tu empleada. ¿Quién te crees que eres?I am not your employee. Who do you think you are?
- DanielSolo trato de que el proyecto salga bien.I'm just trying to make sure the project goes well.
- SofíaPues deja de darme órdenes, Daniel.Well, stop giving me orders, Daniel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eres, que, quién, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
