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B1 verb 10 min de leitura

despreciar

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas despreciar em 30 segundos

Explicação despreciar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn basic verbs like 'gustar' (to like) or 'querer' (to want). 'Despreciar' is a bit more advanced because it deals with complex feelings. However, you can think of it as a very strong 'no me gusta' (I don't like). Imagine someone offers you a toy that is broken and you say 'No, this is bad.' That is a very simple version of 'despreciar'. At this stage, you don't need to use it often, but you might see it in simple stories where a 'bad guy' doesn't like the 'good guy'. Just remember: it means to think something has zero value. It's like saying 'this is trash'. If you are at this level, focus on the fact that it ends in -ar, so it follows the same rules as 'hablar' or 'cantar'. For example: 'Yo desprecio' (I despise), 'Tú desprecias' (You despise). It is important to know that this word is quite mean, so be careful when using it with friends! You should use it mostly to talk about things you really think are worthless, like 'despreciar la comida' (to look down on food), though even that is a bit strong for a beginner. Try to recognize it when you hear it in movies, as it usually means someone is being very rude or acting like they are better than everyone else.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe people and their personalities. 'Despreciar' is useful when talking about characters in a book or a movie. You might say, 'El hombre rico desprecia a los pobres' (The rich man despises the poor). This helps you describe social situations. You should also learn that 'despreciar' can mean 'to reject'. If someone offers you a gift and you say 'No, I don't want that, it's cheap,' you are 'despreciando el regalo'. This is a very useful verb for expressing strong opinions. In A2, you are also learning more about the 'personal a'. Remember to always use it with 'despreciar' if the person you are talking about is a human. 'Ella desprecia a su hermano' is correct. If you are talking about an object, you don't need the 'a'. 'Él desprecia el dinero' (He despises money). You can also use the past tense: 'Ayer, él despreció mi ayuda' (Yesterday, he rejected/looked down on my help). This level is about moving from simple likes to more complex social actions. You can start using it to express why a character in a story is unhappy or why a situation is unfair. It's a great word to add some drama to your Spanish descriptions!

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As a B1 learner, you are expected to understand more than just the literal meaning of words. 'Despreciar' is a perfect B1 word because it has nuances. You should know that it's not just about 'hating' something, but about 'undervaluing' it. For example, in a work setting, you might hear 'No desprecies el trabajo de los demás' (Don't undervalue others' work). This isn't about hate; it's about giving respect and credit where it is due. You will also see this word in the context of 'despreciar una oferta' (rejecting an offer). At this level, you should be comfortable using it in different tenses, including the subjunctive. 'Es triste que mucha gente desprecie la cultura local' (It is sad that many people look down on local culture). You are also starting to see it in more abstract ways, like 'despreciar el peligro' (to disregard danger). This means someone is being brave or perhaps a bit foolish. You should be able to distinguish 'despreciar' from 'rechazar'. If you 'rechazas' a job, maybe the salary was low. If you 'desprecias' a job, you think the job itself is beneath your dignity. This distinction is key for B1. You can also start using the noun 'el desprecio' to describe the feeling of scorn. 'Lo miró con desprecio' (She looked at him with scorn).

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'despreciar' in formal, academic, and technical contexts. One very important usage at this level is the scientific one: 'to neglect'. When you are explaining a process, you might say 'Podemos despreciar la resistencia del aire en este cálculo' (We can neglect air resistance in this calculation). This shows a high level of vocabulary control. You should also be aware of the social and political implications of the word. In news articles, 'despreciar' is often used to describe how a government or organization ignores the needs of a specific group. For example, 'El informe acusa a la empresa de despreciar las normas de seguridad' (The report accuses the company of disregarding safety norms). You should also be familiar with synonyms like 'menospreciar' or 'desdeñar' and know when to use them. 'Desdeñar' is more literary, while 'despreciar' is more common in speech and media. You should also be able to use the verb in complex sentence structures, such as 'Si sigues despreciando los consejos de tus padres, acabarás teniendo problemas' (If you keep disregarding your parents' advice, you will end up having problems). This level requires you to understand the emotional weight the word carries in debates and formal discussions.

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By the C1 level, your use of 'despreciar' should be natural and precise. You should understand its use in legal contexts, such as 'desprecio a la autoridad' or 'desprecio al tribunal'. You are also expected to recognize the word in classical literature and poetry, where it often appears as 'desdeñar'. You should be able to discuss the philosophical implications of 'desprecio'. For instance, you might analyze a text where a character's 'desprecio por la vida' (disdain for life) leads them to take great risks. You should also be comfortable with the reflexive 'despreciarse' in psychological or philosophical discussions about self-worth. In professional writing, you can use 'despreciar' to indicate that certain data points were excluded from a study because they were statistically insignificant. 'Se despreciaron los valores atípicos para no sesgar el resultado' (Outliers were disregarded so as not to bias the result). At this level, you should also be sensitive to the cultural connotations of 'despreciar' in different Spanish-speaking regions. In some places, it might be used more colloquially to mean 'to waste' (though 'desperdiciar' is the standard), and you should be able to recognize these regional variations without being confused by them. Your ability to use the word to convey subtle shades of arrogance, bravery, or technical precision is what marks you as an advanced speaker.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'despreciar'. You can use it to craft sophisticated arguments and literary descriptions. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Latin roots and how that history informs its current usage in legal and economic Spanish. You can use 'despreciar' in highly formal speeches or academic papers to describe the systematic marginalization of ideas or groups. For example, 'La historiografía tradicional ha tendido a despreciar el papel de las mujeres en este periodo' (Traditional historiography has tended to undervalue the role of women in this period). You are also capable of using the word ironically or with sarcasm in high-level social interactions. You can distinguish between 'despreciar' and 'ningunear' with perfect accuracy, choosing the latter for social dynamics and the former for more formal or existential contexts. You should be able to appreciate how authors use the word to create atmosphere or character depth. Furthermore, you can use the word in the context of 'depreciation' in a financial sense, although 'depreciación' is the noun, the verb 'despreciar' can occasionally appear in older or very specific economic texts to describe the loss of value over time. Your mastery allows you to use the word with such precision that you can convey exactly the level of disdain or neglect intended, without any risk of being misunderstood.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

despreciar em 30 segundos

Despreciar means to despise or look down on something as worthless.
It is a regular -ar verb used for both emotions and technical neglect.
It carries a stronger sense of disdain than simply rejecting or disliking.
Commonly used in drama, politics, and scientific contexts to ignore variables.

The Spanish verb despreciar is a multifaceted term that English speakers often encounter when moving beyond basic conversational Spanish into the realm of emotions, social dynamics, and formal negotiations. At its core, the word is derived from the Latin depretiare, which literally means to lower the price or value of something. In modern Spanish, this etymological root manifests in two primary ways: first, as an act of looking down on someone or something with disdain, and second, as the act of rejecting or disregarding something because it is perceived as unworthy or insignificant.

Social Disdain: This usage refers to the feeling of contempt. When you desprecias a person, you are not just disliking them; you are viewing them as inferior. It is common in literature and high-drama media like telenovelas to describe class-based or moral superiority.
Rejection of Offers: In a more practical sense, despreciar is used when someone turns down an invitation, a gift, or an opportunity because they feel it is beneath them or simply not worth their time. For example, 'No podemos despreciar esta oportunidad' (We cannot disregard/reject this opportunity).

Understanding the gravity of despreciar is crucial for learners. Unlike 'odiar' (to hate), which is an active, often hot-blooded emotion, despreciar is cold. It implies that the object of the verb is so insignificant that it doesn't even deserve respect. It is the ultimate form of social rejection. In a professional context, if a boss desprecia the ideas of their employees, they are creating a toxic environment where contributions are seen as worthless.

Es un error despreciar el talento de los jóvenes solo por su falta de experiencia profesional.

Furthermore, the word is used in scientific or mathematical contexts to mean 'to neglect' or 'to ignore' a variable that is too small to affect the outcome. For instance, in a physics problem, one might despreciar the friction of air if it is minimal. This shows the word's versatility from high-stakes emotional drama to technical precision.

Moral Judgment: The word often appears in political discourse to describe how one group might treat the rights or needs of another. To despreciar la ley is to show a complete lack of regard for the legal system.

Nunca deberías despreciar un buen consejo, incluso si viene de alguien que no te agrada.

In summary, use despreciar when you want to convey that something is being treated as worthless, whether that is a person's feelings, a physical object, or an abstract concept like time or danger. It is a powerful verb that communicates a specific type of cold rejection that other verbs like 'rechazar' (to reject) or 'ignorar' (to ignore) cannot fully capture.

Using despreciar correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and the context of the 'value' being discussed. As a regular '-ar' verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its impact is significant. It usually takes a direct object—the person or thing being looked down upon.

Direct Objects: When the object is a person, remember to use the 'personal a'. Example: 'Ella desprecia a su ex-marido' (She despises her ex-husband). Without the 'a', the sentence is grammatically incomplete when referring to a specific person.

No es sabio despreciar a los enemigos pequeños, pues pueden causar grandes problemas.

The verb can also be used in the passive voice or as a participle. For instance, 'sentirse despreciado' (to feel despised or undervalued) is a common way to describe a lack of appreciation in a relationship or workplace. This shift from the active 'I despise' to the passive 'I feel despised' is a key transition for B1 learners to master.

In terms of sentence structure, despreciar often pairs with adverbs that emphasize the intensity of the disdain, such as 'profundamente' (deeply) or 'totalmente' (totally). 'Él desprecia totalmente las normas de tráfico' (He totally disregards traffic rules). This highlights that the action is not just a mistake, but a deliberate choice based on a lack of respect.

Muchos coleccionistas suelen despreciar las réplicas, prefiriendo siempre las piezas originales.

Abstract Usage: You can despreciar abstract concepts like 'el peligro' (danger) or 'la muerte' (death). This implies a sense of bravery or recklessness, where the person acts as if the danger does not matter.

Finally, consider the reflexive form 'despreciarse', though less common, it means to despise oneself. This is used in psychological contexts to describe low self-esteem. 'Se desprecia a sí mismo por sus errores pasados' (He despises himself for his past mistakes). Mastering these variations allows you to use the word in diverse settings from casual gossip to psychological analysis.

The word despreciar resonates through various levels of Spanish-speaking society, from the dramatic scripts of television to the formal halls of justice. If you are a fan of telenovelas, you will hear this word constantly. It is the go-to verb for the villain (el villano) who looks down on the protagonist for being poor or unrefined. In these contexts, it is delivered with a sneer, emphasizing the social hierarchy.

In Literature: Classic Spanish literature, such as the works of Cervantes or modern authors like Gabriel García Márquez, uses despreciar to illustrate the internal conflicts of characters who feel rejected by society or who reject the societal norms of their time.

En la novela, el noble no podía evitar despreciar las costumbres del pueblo llano.

In the news and political commentary, despreciar is used to criticize leaders who ignore the will of the people or who treat international treaties as worthless. A journalist might say, 'El gobierno ha sido acusado de despreciar las advertencias de los científicos' (The government has been accused of disregarding scientists' warnings). Here, the word carries a weight of negligence and arrogance.

In everyday life, you might hear it in a more colloquial but still serious sense during an argument between friends or partners. If one person feels that their efforts are not being recognized, they might say, '¡No desprecies todo lo que he hecho por ti!' (Don't belittle/undervalue everything I've done for you!). This usage is deeply emotional and personal.

Formal and Legal: In a courtroom, a judge might speak of 'desprecio al tribunal' (contempt of court), which is a direct translation of the English legal concept. It refers to a lack of respect for the dignity and authority of the court.

El acusado fue multado por despreciar la autoridad del juez durante el juicio.

Whether in a song lyric about a broken heart or a scientific paper about negligible variables, despreciar is a word that bridges the gap between the visceral and the analytical, making it a staple of the Spanish language.

For English speakers, the most common mistake when using despreciar is confusing it with other verbs that mean 'to reject' or 'to dislike'. While they are related, the nuance of 'worthlessness' in despreciar is specific and should not be ignored.

Despreciar vs. Rechazar: 'Rechazar' is a neutral term for rejecting something (like a credit card or a phone call). 'Despreciar' implies you are rejecting it because you think it is trash or beneath you. If you 'rechazas' an invitation, you might just be busy. If you 'desprecias' it, you are insulting the person who invited you.

No digas que desprecias la comida si solo quieres decir que no tienes hambre.

Another error is forgetting the 'personal a'. Because despreciar is often used for people, learners frequently say 'Desprecio su actitud' (correct, as 'actitud' is an object) but then say 'Desprecio Juan' (incorrect). It must be 'Desprecio a Juan'. This 'a' is essential for the sentence to sound natural and be grammatically sound.

Learners also sometimes over-use despreciar when they simply mean they don't like something. Saying 'Desprecio el brócoli' sounds incredibly dramatic, as if the broccoli has offended your soul. Unless you truly find broccoli to be a worthless vegetable that deserves your utter contempt, 'no me gusta' or 'detesto' is better.

False Friends: While 'depreciate' exists in English (especially in accounting), despreciar is much more common in everyday emotional Spanish. Don't assume it's only a technical term.

Es común confundir despreciar con menospreciar; aunque son similares, menospreciar suele ser menos intenso.

Finally, be careful with the word 'desprecio' (the noun). It can mean 'scorn' or 'slight'. If you say 'me hizo un desprecio', it means someone snubbed you or acted rudely toward you. Understanding the noun form helps prevent misinterpreting the verb's intensity.

To truly master the concept of disdain and rejection in Spanish, it is helpful to look at the synonyms and related verbs that surround despreciar. Each of these alternatives carries a slightly different flavor and formality.

Menospreciar: This is perhaps the closest synonym. It literally means 'to value less'. While despreciar often implies total worthlessness, menospreciar is about underestimating or belittling something. You might menospreciar a rival's strength, meaning you didn't give them enough credit.
Ningunear: A very common and expressive colloquialism derived from 'ninguno' (none). To ningunear someone is to treat them as if they are a 'nobody'. It is a more modern, social way of expressing the action of despreciar.

A veces, los jefes tienden a ningunear las opiniones de los becarios.

If you are looking for a more formal or literary way to say despise, you might use 'desdeñar'. This verb is often used in writing to describe a haughty rejection. It suggests a certain elegance or coldness in the act of looking down on someone. In contrast, 'detestar' and 'aborrecer' are more about intense hatred or physical repulsion rather than social worth.

In a technical or scientific context, where despreciar means to neglect a value, you could use 'omitir' (to omit) or 'presindir de' (to do without). These are less emotional and more focused on the process of calculation or selection.

Humillar: While despreciar is an internal feeling or a passive rejection, humillar (to humiliate) is an active attempt to make someone else feel small. They often go together: you desprecias someone and therefore you humillas them in public.

Es mejor desdeñar las críticas destructivas que dejar que nos afecten profundamente.

By choosing the right word from this set, you can more accurately describe the specific type of social or emotional interaction you are witnessing or experiencing. Despreciar remains the strongest general-purpose word for the combination of 'no value' and 'no respect'.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

Although 'despreciar' and 'depreciate' come from the same Latin root, 'despreciar' became a very strong emotional word in Spanish, while 'depreciate' is mostly used for cars losing value or accounting.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /des.pɾeˈθjaɾ/

US /des.pɾeˈsjaɾ/

The stress is on the final syllable '-ar' because it is an infinitive ending in 'r'.

Rima com

Amar Cantar Hablar Llegar Pensar Mirar Aceptar Rechazar

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'r' like the English 'r' instead of a tap.
Putting the stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., 'des-PRE-ciar').
Aspirating the 'p' sound like in English 'pot'.
Confusing the 'ci' sound with 'chi' (it should be 'si' or 'thi').
Mumbling the 'i' in 'ciar', making it sound like 'despre-sar'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in literature and news, easy to recognize if you know 'precio'.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowledge of the 'personal a' and correct context to avoid sounding too dramatic.

Expressão oral 4/5

Pronunciation of 'ciar' and the tap 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Audição 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Precio Gutar Odiar Rechazar Valor

Aprenda a seguir

Menospreciar Desdeñar Ningunear Subestimar Apreciar

Avançado

Pusilánime Altivez Contumaz Ignominioso Abyecto

Gramática essencial

Personal 'a'

Desprecio a los mentirosos (I despise liars).

Subjunctive with emotions

Me molesta que desprecies mi tiempo.

Passive 'se'

Se desprecia el valor de la moneda (The value of the currency is disregarded).

Infinitive as subject

Despreciar a los demás es un signo de inseguridad.

Adverbial placement

Él la desprecia profundamente.

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Exemplos por nível

No debes despreciar la comida.

You should not look down on the food.

Present infinitive after 'debes'.

Él desprecia los juguetes viejos.

He despises the old toys.

Third person singular present tense.

Yo no desprecio a mis amigos.

I do not look down on my friends.

Use of 'personal a' before 'mis amigos'.

¿Por qué desprecias mi regalo?

Why do you reject/despise my gift?

Second person singular question.

Ella desprecia el color verde.

She despises the color green.

Direct object 'el color verde' does not need 'a'.

Nosotros no despreciamos a nadie.

We do not look down on anyone.

Personal 'a' before 'nadie'.

Ellos desprecian las reglas.

They despise the rules.

Third person plural present.

No es bueno despreciar.

It is not good to look down on (others).

Infinitive used as a subject complement.

El villano desprecia al héroe.

The villain despises the hero.

Personal 'a' used with 'al héroe'.

No desprecies esta oportunidad de estudiar.

Don't disregard this opportunity to study.

Imperative (command) form.

Mi abuelo desprecia la tecnología moderna.

My grandfather despises modern technology.

Subject-verb agreement.

Ella se sintió despreciada por sus compañeros.

She felt despised by her classmates.

Passive construction with 'sentirse'.

Nunca desprecies un pequeño detalle.

Never disregard a small detail.

Negative command.

Él despreció la invitación a la fiesta.

He rejected the invitation to the party.

Preterite (past) tense.

¿Vas a despreciar mi ayuda otra vez?

Are you going to reject my help again?

Future with 'ir a'.

Ellos desprecian a los que no piensan como ellos.

They look down on those who do not think like them.

Relative clause 'los que...'

Es un error despreciar el valor del tiempo.

It is a mistake to undervalue the value of time.

Infinitive after 'Es un error'.

No podemos despreciar ninguna de las propuestas.

We cannot disregard any of the proposals.

Modal verb 'podemos' + infinitive.

A menudo, la gente desprecia lo que no entiende.

Often, people look down on what they do not understand.

Use of 'lo que' as a relative pronoun.

Si desprecias a tus clientes, perderás tu negocio.

If you look down on your customers, you will lose your business.

First conditional sentence.

Me duele que desprecies mis sentimientos.

It hurts me that you disregard my feelings.

Subjunctive mood after 'Me duele que'.

El explorador despreció el peligro y entró en la cueva.

The explorer disregarded the danger and entered the cave.

Preterite tense for completed actions.

No deberías despreciar el consejo de un experto.

You should not disregard the advice of an expert.

Conditional 'deberías'.

Ella siempre ha despreciado la fama y la fortuna.

She has always despised fame and fortune.

Present perfect tense.

Podemos despreciar el efecto de la gravedad en este caso.

We can neglect the effect of gravity in this case.

Technical/scientific usage of the verb.

El sindicato acusó a la empresa de despreciar sus derechos.

The union accused the company of disregarding their rights.

Verb + preposition 'de'.

Es arrogante despreciar las tradiciones de otros países.

It is arrogant to look down on the traditions of other countries.

Adjective + infinitive structure.

No desprecies el poder de una pequeña acción.

Do not undervalue the power of a small action.

Negative imperative.

El autor desprecia el uso de adjetivos innecesarios.

The author despises the use of unnecessary adjectives.

Formal subject-verb agreement.

Se despreciaron los datos que no eran relevantes para el estudio.

The data that were not relevant to the study were disregarded.

Passive 'se' construction.

Aunque era rico, no despreciaba a los que tenían menos.

Although he was rich, he did not look down on those who had less.

Imperfect tense for habitual past actions.

No hay que despreciar la inteligencia del adversario.

One must not underestimate the intelligence of the adversary.

Impersonal 'No hay que' + infinitive.

Su desprecio por la ley lo llevó finalmente a la cárcel.

His disdain for the law finally led him to jail.

Noun form 'desprecio' used with 'por'.

Resulta imposible despreciar la influencia de la Ilustración.

It is impossible to disregard the influence of the Enlightenment.

Formal impersonal expression 'Resulta'.

Aquel intelectual solía despreciar las opiniones populares.

That intellectual used to look down on popular opinions.

Verb 'soler' + infinitive for habits.

No debemos despreciar la posibilidad de un cambio climático radical.

We must not disregard the possibility of radical climate change.

Formal 'debemos' + infinitive.

Se desprecia a sí mismo por no haber actuado a tiempo.

He despises himself for not having acted in time.

Reflexive use 'se desprecia'.

La crítica literaria despreció su primera novela por ser demasiado comercial.

The literary critics looked down on his first novel for being too commercial.

Preterite tense with a collective subject.

Es una actitud peligrosa despreciar las advertencias de seguridad.

It is a dangerous attitude to disregard safety warnings.

Complex sentence with an adjective phrase.

No se puede despreciar el legado de las culturas indígenas.

One cannot disregard the legacy of indigenous cultures.

Impersonal 'se' with 'poder'.

La magnitud del desastre no permite despreciar ninguna hipótesis.

The magnitude of the disaster does not allow disregarding any hypothesis.

Formal abstract subject.

En su ensayo, desprecia las corrientes posmodernistas con gran elocuencia.

In his essay, he despises postmodernist currents with great eloquence.

Present tense used for literary analysis.

Sería una temeridad despreciar los riesgos inherentes a esta operación.

It would be a recklessness to disregard the risks inherent in this operation.

Conditional 'sería' with a noun phrase.

El artista siempre despreció los cánones estéticos de su época.

The artist always despised the aesthetic canons of his time.

Historical narrative past.

No es lícito despreciar el testimonio de una víctima por su pasado.

It is not lawful to disregard a victim's testimony because of their past.

Formal legal/ethical language.

La teoría desprecia las variables exógenas para simplificar el modelo.

The theory disregards exogenous variables to simplify the model.

Scientific/academic register.

Su altivez le impedía ver que los demás lo despreciaban en secreto.

His haughtiness prevented him from seeing that others despised him in secret.

Imperfect tense for background states.

Despreciar la sabiduría de los ancianos es una señal de decadencia social.

Disregarding the wisdom of the elderly is a sign of social decay.

Infinitive as a noun subject.

Colocações comuns

Despreciar una oferta

Despreciar el peligro

Despreciar la ley

Despreciar a alguien

Despreciar un regalo

Despreciar el riesgo

Despreciar la vida

Despreciar el efecto de

Despreciar profundamente

Despreciar por completo

Frases Comuns

Hacer un desprecio

— To snub someone or act in a way that shows they are unimportant.

Me hizo un desprecio al no saludarme en la calle.

Con desprecio

— To do something with a look or tone of scorn.

Lo miró con desprecio antes de irse.

Ser objeto de desprecio

— To be the target of someone's disdain.

El político fue objeto de desprecio por parte del público.

Caer en el desprecio

— To lose the respect of others and be looked down upon.

Después del escándalo, cayó en el desprecio de la sociedad.

Despreciar lo ajeno

— To show no respect for the property or feelings of others.

No es bueno despreciar lo ajeno, hay que ser empático.

Despreciar la muerte

— To act without fear of dying, often in a heroic or reckless way.

El guerrero despreciaba la muerte en el campo de batalla.

No es de despreciar

— Used to say that something is actually quite good or valuable.

Esa cantidad de dinero no es de despreciar.

Despreciar las consecuencias

— To act without caring about the negative results.

Actuó por impulso, despreciando las consecuencias.

Sentirse despreciado

— The feeling of being undervalued or ignored by others.

Se siente despreciado en su propio hogar.

Mirar con desprecio

— To look at someone in a way that communicates they are inferior.

Ella lo miró con desprecio cuando él intentó mentir.

Frequentemente confundido com

despreciar vs Desperdiciar

Means to waste (time, money, resources). Despreciar means to look down on or undervalue.

despreciar vs Rechazar

Means to reject. Despreciar is a rejection WITH disdain or a feeling of superiority.

despreciar vs Ignorar

Means to not know or to ignore. Despreciar is a deliberate choice based on lack of respect.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Despreciar lo que a otro le falta"

— To look down on things that others actually need or struggle to get.

Es fácil despreciar la comida cuando nunca has pasado hambre.

Moral/Proverbial

"Hacer ascos a algo"

— Literally 'to make disgusts'; a common idiom for despreciar something, especially food or a job.

No le hagas ascos a ese trabajo, que hace falta el dinero.

Informal

"Mirar por encima del hombro"

— To look over one's shoulder at someone; to treat them with superiority.

Ella siempre mira a sus vecinos por encima del hombro.

Common

"Tirar por tierra"

— To throw something to the ground; to totally devalue or destroy someone's reputation or work.

Su crítica tiró por tierra todo mi esfuerzo.

Informal

"No dar ni un duro por alguien"

— To not give a cent for someone; to have zero faith in their value or success.

Nadie daba ni un duro por él, pero al final triunfó.

Colloquial

"Pasar olímpicamente de algo"

— To totally ignore or disregard something in a very obvious way.

Pasa olímpicamente de las críticas de la prensa.

Slang

"Hacer el vacío a alguien"

— To socially boycott someone or treat them as if they don't exist.

En la oficina le hicieron el vacío por denunciar al jefe.

Common

"Menos que un cero a la izquierda"

— To be worth less than a zero on the left; to be completely useless or despised.

Me siento como un cero a la izquierda en este equipo.

Informal

"No valer un pimiento"

— To not be worth a pepper; to be something that one can easily despreciar.

Esa opinión no vale un pimiento para mí.

Colloquial

"Poner a alguien de vuelta y media"

— To criticize someone harshly, showing great disdain for them.

Lo puso de vuelta y media delante de todos.

Informal

Fácil de confundir

despreciar vs Desperdiciar

Similar spelling and sound.

Desperdiciar is about wasting something useful. Despreciar is about treating something as if it is NOT useful or worthy.

No desperdicies el agua (Don't waste water). No desprecies mi ayuda (Don't look down on my help).

despreciar vs Menospreciar

Very similar meaning.

Menospreciar is 'to value less'. Despreciar is 'to value as zero'. Menospreciar is often used for underestimating skills.

Menospreció la fuerza del rival (He underestimated the rival).

despreciar vs Desdeñar

Synonyms.

Desdeñar is more formal and literary. It implies a haughty, elegant rejection.

Desdeñó los lujos de la corte (He disdained the luxuries of the court).

despreciar vs Odiar

Both are negative emotions.

Odiar is active hate. Despreciar is cold disdain. You can hate an equal, but you usually despise someone you think is below you.

Lo odio por lo que hizo. Lo desprecio porque no vale nada.

despreciar vs Apreciar

They are opposites with the same root.

Apreciar is to give value. Despreciar is to take it away.

Aprecio tu sinceridad. Desprecio tu mentira.

Padrões de frases

No + despreciar + [Thing]

No desprecio la comida.

[Person] + desprecia + a + [Person]

Juan desprecia a Pedro.

Es + [Adjective] + despreciar + [Idea]

Es malo despreciar los consejos.

Podemos + despreciar + [Variable]

Podemos despreciar el peso del aire.

Su + desprecio + por + [Noun] + es + [Adjective]

Su desprecio por la vida es evidente.

Hacer + un + desprecio + a + [Person]

Le hizo un desprecio imperdonable.

Sentirse + despreciado/a

Ella se siente despreciada en el trabajo.

No + haber + que + despreciar + [Something]

No hay que despreciar esta oportunidad.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Desprecio (scorn/disdain)

Despreciador (one who despises)

Depreciación (economic loss of value)

Verbos

Despreciar (to despise)

Depreciar (to depreciate - financial)

Menospreciar (to undervalue)

Adjetivos

Despreciable (despicable/worthless)

Despreciado (despised)

Despreciativo (contemptuous/disdainful)

Relacionado

Precio (price)

Apreciar (to appreciate)

Preciado (precious)

Precioso (beautiful/precious)

Menosprecio (belittlement)

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Como usar

frequency

Common in all registers, especially high in media and literature.

Erros comuns

Desprecio mi tarea. → No me gusta mi tarea / Odio mi tarea.
Despreciar is too strong for homework. It implies you think the homework is morally or socially worthless.
Él desprecia su tiempo. → Él desperdicia su tiempo.
You probably mean he 'wastes' his time. Despreciar means he 'looks down' on time as a concept.
Desprecio Juan. → Desprecio a Juan.
Missing the personal 'a' for a direct human object.
Es una oferta despreciada. → Es una oferta despreciable.
Despreciada means someone already despised it. Despreciable means the offer itself is worthless (despicable).
Despreciar de la ley. → Despreciar la ley.
Despreciar is a transitive verb; it does not take the preposition 'de' before the object.

Dicas

Don't over-dramatize

Save 'despreciar' for serious situations. Using it for minor things like a movie you didn't like makes you sound like a villain in a play.

Remember the 'A'

Always use 'despreciar a [person]'. This is the most common grammatical error English speakers make with this verb.

Use with 'Oferta'

In business, 'despreciar una oferta' is a very common phrase. It means to turn down a deal because it's not good enough.

Technical Neglect

If you study physics or engineering in Spanish, 'despreciar' will be your best friend for ignoring friction or minor weights.

The Gift Rule

In Spanish culture, never 'desprecies' a gift in front of the giver. It's better to accept it politely and 'rechazar' it later if necessary.

Try Menospreciar

If 'despreciar' feels too strong, try 'menospreciar'. It's safer and means you just didn't give someone enough credit.

The 'Iar' Ending

Make sure the 'i' and 'a' in 'ciar' flow together quickly. It's a diphthong, so it shouldn't sound like two separate syllables.

Context Clues

If you hear 'despreciar' in a lab, it's about math. If you hear it in a bedroom during a fight, it's about feelings.

Respect the Roots

Remember that 'despreciar' is about 'precio' (value). If you remember that, you'll always understand the core meaning.

Self-Contempt

Use 'despreciarse' to talk about characters with very low self-esteem. It's a very powerful descriptive tool.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'De-Price-Ar'. You are taking the 'price' (value) away from something. If it has no price, you 'despreciar' it because it's worthless.

Associação visual

Imagine a rich king looking at a silver coin and throwing it into the mud with a sneer. He 'desprecia' the coin because he has so much gold.

Word Web

Valor Precio Odio Rechazo Orgullo Insulto Indiferencia Superioridad

Desafio

Try to write three sentences: one about a person you despise, one about a gift you rejected, and one about a scientific fact you ignored. Use 'despreciar' in all three.

Origem da palavra

From the Late Latin 'depretiare', formed by the prefix 'de-' (down/away) and 'pretium' (price/value). It shares the same root as the English word 'depreciate'.

Significado original: To lower the price or to value something less than its worth.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this word about people, as it is very strong and can be seen as highly offensive or arrogant.

English speakers often use 'despise' for intense hate, but 'despreciar' is often more about 'looking down on' or 'undervaluing' something.

The song 'Desprecio' by Javier Solís. The movie 'Le Mépris' (El Desprecio) by Jean-Luc Godard. The philosophical concept of 'contempt' in Nietzsche's works (translated as desprecio).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Workplace

Despreciar una idea
Sentirse despreciado por el jefe
Despreciar el esfuerzo
No despreciar ninguna sugerencia

Romance/Relationships

Despreciar el amor de alguien
Un desprecio amoroso
Mirar con desprecio
No me desprecies

Science/Math

Despreciar el rozamiento
Despreciar la masa
Un valor despreciable
Despreciar el error

Social/Class

Despreciar a los pobres
Despreciar la cultura popular
Un gesto de desprecio
Despreciar las tradiciones

Legal

Desprecio al tribunal
Despreciar la autoridad
Despreciar las pruebas
Actuar con desprecio a la ley

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Alguna vez has sentido que alguien despreciaba tu trabajo?"

"¿Crees que es posible despreciar el dinero y vivir feliz?"

"¿Qué cosas desprecian más los jóvenes de hoy en día?"

"¿Por qué crees que algunas personas desprecian la ayuda de los demás?"

"¿Has despreciado alguna vez una oferta de la que luego te arrepentiste?"

Temas para diário

Escribe sobre un momento en el que alguien despreció un regalo tuyo y cómo te sentiste.

Reflexiona sobre si es mejor ignorar o despreciar a una persona que te hace daño.

Describe una situación en la que despreciaste el peligro para lograr algo importante.

¿Qué aspectos de la sociedad moderna te gustaría despreciar por completo?

Escribe una carta ficticia a alguien que te ha despreciado, explicando tu valor.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Not always. In scientific contexts, it simply means a value is so small it doesn't matter for the result. However, when used toward a person, it is almost always an insult as it implies they are worthless.

Yes, but it sounds very dramatic. It implies the food is of such poor quality that it is an insult to be served it. Use 'no me gusta' for normal dislikes.

'Odio' is hate, which can be intense and passionate. 'Desprecio' is disdain, which is often cold and implies the other person is inferior. You might respect someone you hate, but you never respect someone you despise.

It is a regular -ar verb. Yo desprecié, tú despreciaste, él despreció, nosotros despreciamos, vosotros despreciasteis, ellos despreciaron.

Usually, the word for economic depreciation is 'depreciar' or the noun 'depreciación'. While 'despreciar' comes from the same root, it is rarely used in modern finance.

Yes, it means 'despicable' or 'contemptible'. You might call a criminal act 'un acto despreciable'.

Yes, in the sense of 'to disregard'. For example, 'despreciar las advertencias' means to ignore warnings because you don't think they are important.

'Ningunear' is more colloquial and specific to social exclusion. 'Despreciar' is more versatile and can be used in many more situations.

Yes, if you treat the animal as a sentient being or a pet. 'Desprecio a las cucarachas' is common because of the strong emotion involved.

It is a 'disdainful gesture', like a sneer, a roll of the eyes, or turning one's back on someone.

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