Silver spoon Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈsɪɫvɝ/ /ˈspun

SIL-ver-SPOON

UK

sˈɪlvɐ/ /spˈuːn

SIL-vuh-SPOON

Definition

To be born into wealth and privilege. Someone who has a 'silver spoon' has advantages because their family is rich.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used in the phrase 'born with a silver spoon in (one's) mouth.' Implies unearned wealth or privilege. Can sound slightly negative or envious depending on tone. Rarely refers to actual silver spoons.

• Spanish: cuna de oro (expresión) - privilegio desde el nacimiento
• Portuguese (BR): berço de ouro (expressão) - privilegiado desde o nascimento
• Portuguese (PT): berço de ouro (expressão) - privilegiado desde o nascimento
• Chinese (Simplified): 含着金汤匙出生 (成语) - 富裕家庭
• Chinese (Traditional): 含著金湯匙出生 (成語) - 富裕家庭
• Hindi: चांदी का चम्मच (अभिव्यक्ति) - जन्मजात विशेषाधिकार
• Arabic: ملعقة من فضة (تعبير) - مولود في عائلة غنية
• Bengali: রূপার চামচ - অধিক সুবিধা নিয়ে জন্মানো (প্রবাদপ্রবচন)
• Russian: серебряная ложка - с серебряной ложкой во рту (идиома)
• Japanese: 銀のスプーン - 裕福な家に生まれること（慣用句）
• Vietnamese: thìa bạc - sinh ra trong gia đình giàu có (thành ngữ)
• Korean: 은수저 - 금수저 (비유적으로 부유한 집안에서 태어남)
• Turkish: gümüş kaşık - zenginlik içinde doğmak (deyim)
• Urdu: چاندی کا چمچ - امیر گھرانے میں پیدا ہونا (محاورہ)
• Indonesian: sendok perak - terlahir kaya (ungkapan)

Example Sentences

She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

basic

He never had to work hard because of his silver spoon life.

basic

Many people think politicians have a silver spoon.

basic

Don’t judge her just because she had a silver spoon growing up.

natural

Not everyone with a silver spoon is spoiled—they can be hardworking too.

natural

He acts like he didn’t have a silver spoon, but everyone knows his family is loaded.

natural